Farmer Profile
Who: BelleWood Acres. Inc.
John and Dorie Belisle, Owner
What: Your Back Yard Orchard
Where: 231 Ten Mile Road
Lynden, WA 98264
10 Minutes south of Lynden, 10 minutes north of Bellingham,
10 minutes east of Ferndale and 10 minutes southwest of Everson
Contact Us: 360-398-9187
www.bellewoodapples.com
doriebelisle@yahoo.com
The first trees at BelleWood Acres were planted in the spring of 1996. The designing and planting were much a family effort. Our goal is to grow the best apples in Whatcom County. We have thirty-one acres of high-density orchards, the home of approximately 25,000 trees. We harvest 1.2 million pounds of fruit a season and sell both wholesale and retail.
The public is invited to come out and tour the farm. We are open daily Sept. 1 thru Dec. 31st. You will see how we grow our fruit, pack it, store it and juice it! Samples are always available. We also grow two acres of pears which include Red Clap, Comice and Bosc Pears. You need to visit the pumpkin patch to pick that perfect pumpkin. We also grow tomatoes, winter squash, sunflowers, gourds and decorative corn. Besides our farm store, you can find us at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market, the Haggen Food Stores, Top Food Stores and the Community Food Coop stores. Ask for Whatcom Fresh produce . . . ask for BelleWood apples. We also sell wholesale through Zirkle Fruit Company out of Selah, Washington.
Our Apples: 
We grow 16 varieties of apples. Our apples are unique because the varieties are chosen for the maritime climate of the Northwest. Our apples thrive on the rich soils of the Nooksack River Watershed and the cool climate of the Mt. Baker shadow. They have excellent flavor and texture because they are grown without the heat pressure found in Eastern WA or other parts of the US. This gives all of our value added products a special edge. Premium fruit makes premium products. Visit our web site for detailed descriptions of each variety.
BelleWood Cider: 
What is an apple farm without fresh cider? Taste the difference freshness makes. Our cider is treated with UV light (ultra violet light) to kill E. Coli bacteria. You deserve a high quality juice, safe for the entire family. It is available in gallons, half-gallons and 16oz.
BelleWood’s Kitchen:
Crisp Apple Chips: We introduced our crisp apple chips in 2005. They are a healthy snack for anytime. We make them with Gravenstein, Zestar, Honeycrisp and Jonagold apples. Samples are available in the farm store.
Farm Ground Peanut Butter: We introduced our Honey Roasted Peanut Butter in 2003 and what a hit it has become. It is the perfect protein to accompany our apples. Our 100% Natural Peanut Butter with no salt or sugar continues to bring you the freshness of home ground peanuts.
Apple Cider Vinegar : Our apple cider is made from a blend of apples and then made into vinegar on the farm. We capture all the natural flavors to make a crisp, lively, flavorful apple vinegar. Use BelleWood Acres’ Apple cider vinegar in your favorite dressing and bread dip recipes to add the flavor of the farm to each bite. Great when added to your cooking process for vegetables and used as a meat marinade.
Apple Cider Syrup: Our apple cider is made from a blend of apples and then is slowly cooked down for that pure apple cider taste intensified seven times over. The smooth consistency is perfect for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
BelleWood’s Apple Flower: On weekends enjoy the flavor of sweet caramel dripping off a just picked apple. Enjoy our patio. Sit a while and just be part of the farm.
BelleWood’s Pies and Pastries: Our apple pies and cookies are made from scratch like your grandmother use to make. We make them and then freeze them. You take them home, with our personal instructions, to enjoy the aroma and warmth of a fresh baked pie in your home.
BelleWood Caramel Apples: You loved our caramel made especially for BelleWood. Now you can enjoy it on a stick! Munch a way at the farm or take it home to enjoy later.
BelleWood’s Caramel: Take a tub home and dip away. We have it made especially for us FOR YOU! Regular and Fat free is available Oct thru Dec.
BelleWood Gifts: With fall comes the anticipation of the holidays. Whether you want to celebrate the fall harvest, Halloween, Thanksgiving or the Christmas season, visit BelleWood Gifts. We have unique gift and home decoration ideas.
Our Growing Philosophy
We firmly believe in “Integrated Pest Management- an information-based decision-making process that provides the least toxic solution to pest problem.” IPM is based on information: pest identification, detection and monitoring of pest populations, understanding of tolerance levels, knowledge of the pest and its ecological interactions and ecologically sound management methods of reducing pests to tolerable levels. With the use of IPM, we strive to obtain healthier ecosystems without compromising effective pest management. BelleWood also has been rewarded for its sustainable farming practices. It is the first apple farm to be certified Salmon Safe in the Northwest. It wears the Food Alliance seal of approvable, was given the 2001 Conservation Cooperators of the Year award from the Whatcom Conservation District Grower, and was runner up for the coveted Vim Wright Stewardship Award in 2005.
Additional information
Dorie is a current Board member for Whatcom Farm Friends. She has worked hard to enhance the Tenmile Creek watershed and managed the Farmers Growing trees for Salmon project responsible for giving away 65,000 trees for restoration throughout the County.
John is currently a County Planning Commissioner, and just recently stepped down as an officer in both Farm Friends and the Ag Preservation Committee. They are members of Whatcom Farm Friends, the Bellingham Whatcom Tourism Bureau, Sustainable Connections and the Lynden Chamber of Commerce.
voice: (360) 354-1337
fax: (360) 354-0948
1796 Front Street
Lynden, WA
farmfriends@wcfarmfriends.com
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