{
  "id": 19529688,
  "title": "Apples, family & a brilliant business idea: My day at B.J. Reece Orchards and what Ghana can learn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/apples-family-a-brilliant-business-idea-my-day-at-b-j-reece-orchards",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T18:05:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/apples-family-a-brilliant-business-idea-my-day-at-b-j-reece-orchards-and-what-ghana-can-learn/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "It all began when my sister suggested we embark on an outdoor adventure for some family bonding time. So, we set out to Ellijay, Georgia, known as the Apple Capital of the state, to visit the renowned B.J. Reece Orchards. Initially, we planned to simply pick apples, but little did we know that our visit would spark a brilliant business idea that could transform Ghana's agricultural landscape.\n\nUpon arrival, we were greeted by a sprawling 200-acre orchard, dotted with an additional 30 acres of peaches, nectarines, and Asian pears. Unlike a typical farm, B.J. Reece had transformed itself into an immersive experience, boasting activities ranging from a petting zoo and pony rides to a corn maze, apple cannons, giant slides, and hayrides. The farm even housed a market and bakery, selling everything from fresh cider and cider slushies to world-famous fried apple pies, jams, and locally grown vegetables.\n\nAs we strolled through the orchard, we were captivated by the sheer diversity of apple varieties that ripened over the course of the season. From Honeycrisp and Fuji to Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty, Crimson Crisp, and more, there was an apple for every taste. However, it was the additional attractions that truly made B.J. Reece Orchards stand out. We spent hours enjoying these additional offerings, with our phones put away, fostering genuine connections and memories with our family.\n\nReflecting on our experience, I couldn't help but wonder about the potential of implementing a similar concept in Ghana. The country is endowed with abundant agricultural resources, such as cocoa, mangoes, and guava, and there's a growing demand for locally-produced fruits among the populace. Inspired by B.J. Reece's success, I envision a U-Pick Cocoa or Mango Orchard in locations such as Aburi, Dodowa, or Kwahu, where families can engage in educational agricultural experiences while enjoying the pleasure of harvesting their own fruits.\n\nImagine a cocoa orchard in Aburi, where families could learn about the cultivation of cocoa pods, sample fresh cocoa pulp, and witness the chocolate-making process. In Somanya or Yilo Krobo, a mango orchard could cater to the region's mango production, offering activities like mango picking, juice production, and the sale of dried mango, mango jam, and other mango-based products. We could expand the concept to include other local fruits like guava, soursop, watermelon, melon, and coconut, providing a diverse and enriching fruit-picking experience for visitors.\n\nThe potential benefits of such an initiative are manifold. For starters, it would generate multiple income streams for the participating farms, including farm activity tickets, bag fees for picking, and sales at the farm's bakery and market. Additionally, the farm could remain open year-round, offering year-round agricultural education and tourism opportunities for urban dwellers who are unfamiliar with Ghana's rich agricultural heritage.\n\nMoreover, a U-Pick Cocoa or Mango Orchard could create employment opportunities for rural communities, providing jobs in areas such as tour guiding, bakery operations, juice making, and crafts. This would not only boost the local economy but also foster a sense of pride and ownership among the community members involved in the agricultural venture.\n\nIn conclusion, the visit to B.J. Reece Orchards left a lasting impression on me, igniting the spark of a potential business idea that could revolutionize Ghana's agricultural sector. By adopting the successful model of an AGRI-TOURISM experience, Ghana can tap into the growing demand for locally-produced fruits while offering families meaningful weekend activities that promote bonding and education. As the famous saying goes, the farm is the attraction – and with the right vision and execution, Ghana's agricultural landscape could flourish like never before.",
  "summary": "It started as a simple family idea. My sister said, “Let’s go do something outdoors, something for bonding.” So, we found ourselves driving up to Ellijay — Georgia’s Apple Capital — to the famous B.J. Reece Orchards for apple picking. I thought we were just going to pick apples. We came back with full bags, sticky fingers from fried apple pies, and a whole business plan in my head.",
  "key_points": [
    "B.J. Reece Orchards transformed into immersive experience with activities, market, bakery.",
    "Orchard boasts 200 acres of apples, 30 acres of peaches, nectarines, Asian pears.",
    "Ghana can learn from AGRI-TOURISM model for cocoa, mango, guava orchards."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}