Mar 10, 2025

New MSHS president Mark Evans looks to promotes research 

Industry research, networking and education are important to Mark Evans, farm manager for Evans Bros. Fruit Co. and the new president of the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS). 

A fifth-generation grower, Evans’ Frankfort, Michigan, family operation grows apples, cherries and blueberries along Lake Michigan in the northwest part of the state. He said MSHS’ mission is to promote the fruit industry through education. 

“We contribute to funding research and provide financial support to organizations to help with their projects and growth,” he said. “We back research initiatives, offer scholarships to deserving students pursuing careers in Michigan and assist research stations in purchasing equipment and upgrading labs. Much of what we do is behind the scenes and not always visible to the public.”

Evans, who also manages Manistee Douglas Valley Orchards in nearby Manistee, Michigan, is a board member of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation and participates in the Benzie- Manistee Horticultural Society. Evans is on MSHS’ scholarship and executive committees and was a member of the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty Class of 2021. 

Mark Evans is a fifth-generation grower in his family’s Frankfort, Michigan, operation that grows apples, cherries and blueberries along Lake Michigan in the northwest part of the state. Photos courtesy of Evans Bros. 

At the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO (GLEXPO), MSHS board members facilitate educational sessions in collaboration with Michigan State University, promote the event and ensure growers know MSHS’ role in the show’s offerings. 

“The GLEXPO plays an essential role in your business,” Evans said. “It is so important to educate yourself and make long-term relationships with individuals outside of your area. You need to keep educating yourself to move your business forward. If you don’t educate yourself, if you don’t make connections, you will fall behind and opportunity won’t come your way. Networking and meeting new people will give you opportunities if you continue relationships throughout the years. Never pass up opportunities.” 

Historic family farm

The family farm was established in the late 1800s by John Evans, Mark’s great- great- grandfather, who bought the original 40 acres. John’s son, Ben Evans, later took over, followed by Duane Evans. Today, the farm is managed by Mark’s father, Mike and uncle Mark A. Evans. Evans Bros. operates on 1,000 acres, with 200 of those dedicated to fruit.

The younger Mark’s involvement on the farm started when he would get off the school bus with his schoolmates, throw his backpack on the floor and head to the orchard to pick dropped apples for the families who worked for his family. Evans dined at the workers’ camp, and during summers worked on the farm, mowing, building trellises, spraying and hand thinning.

In 2010, Evans earned a bachelor’s in fruits and vegetables, emphasizing viticulture, from Washington State University (WSU). “That’s where I truly saw the vastness of the fruit industry,” Evans said. “At the time, our farm felt small in comparison. I remember being amazed by seeing a single planting that covered over 1,000 acres.”

Thinning and pruning are critical for growing Evans Bros.’ apples.

In his WSU horticultural studies, Evans built many relationships. He catches up with past classmates from WSU at International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) meetings as well as U.S. and global events, which include trips to Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Italy.

He returned to the family farm full-time with a goal of diversifying the farm and exploring new ventures that would complement existing operations, including a winery or a cidery. 

Evans Bros. started a u-pick blueberry operation in 2024. Evans said he didn’t expect much in the first year but was amazed by the connections he made and the positive feedback the farm received through simple social media efforts. 

“You will find it funny to see how many people will come by your u-pick operation by just getting in your pickup, putting up some signs at intersections and a little social media presence,” Evans said. 

To keep labor busy during slow periods, Evans Bros. began growing winegrapes in 2001, starting with five acres of Pinot Noir and Riesling. However, Evans found growing grapes labor-intensive, and, at the time, the acreage wasn’t large enough to justify mechanization. With enough apple trees planted, Evans Bros. cut its losses and removed the vineyards. 

Fruit tree training

Leading varieties include Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Red Delicious, Yellow, Delicious, Ida Reds and Jonagolds for apples, and sweet and tart cherries as well as Nelson, Bluecrop and Draper blueberries. Honeycrisp became a key variety that helped propel the business forward, making it easier to scale up, Evans said. 

Thinning and pruning are critical for growing apples. An early 1990s trip to New Zealand inspired Evans’ father and uncle to begin planting higher-density orchards with Jonagolds and Honeycrisps. Evans Bros. grows fruit on vertical axis, tall spindle and double leader systems. 

Each system possesses challenges. “Adapting to these newer systems showed us that your yields and quality do change for the better,” Evans said. “Learning some of the new rules in modern systems have actually given us a better idea on how to adapt and improve our older systems.” Spraying remains important. 

“Don’t wait — spray, and stay consistent,” he said. “Even then, it can still be challenging. There are ways to reduce infestations, like clearing your land of host plants, but that doesn’t help much when a single fly can produce 13 generations in a single season and become sexually active in just 10 days. I can’t stress this enough — it’s very important. For some crops, you may need to spray every four days. Even then, it can still be difficult. It’s sometimes a losing battle.” 

For Evans, there’s a lot of joy in farming.

“The best part is being outside, putting in the work and getting your blood flowing,” he said. “For me, watching the tree and fruit develop throughout the season is incredibly rewarding. It’s similar to how spring, summer and fall only come once a year. The stages of the tree’s growth — bud break, flowering, fruit set and harvest — happen just once annually, making each season special. I also enjoy the challenge of working with people in the orchard.” 

—  Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor