Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharien Strange.
In 1979, Dale Ham got an inkling on his heart to grow some peaches. He had been a Richardson firefighter for 32 years and owned a landscaping business, married to his wife Judy with two daughters, Karien and Sharien. He certainly didn’t grow up wanting to grow peaches, but it just came to him. Judy and Dale then bought 22 acres of land and planted 100 trees — they weren’t too sure what would happen. Soon enough, every tree had lived, and there was an abundance of peaches on the land of the orchard. Sharien and Dale would set up a card table on the side of the highway, selling peaches out of the backside of a pickup truck. Situated just off the train tracks, the railroad told Dale that they couldn’t sell so close to the tracks. Dale & Sharien moved the peaches up above the tracks, and sure enough, the people lined up — rain or shine, they wanted peaches. A couple of years later, in 1986, the Hams built a store. Soon enough, the store had turned into just that: a full farm-to-market store, bakery and all. The orchard has stayed a family business the whole way through, from the beginnings until now. 40 years later, the orchard has over 10,000 trees and brings in more than 100,000 customers each summer, everyone hungry for juicy peaches, homemade peach ice cream, our jarred products, fudge, BBQ, and bakery items.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When you’re in the business of growing peaches — or growing anything, really — you’re always depending on God above and that’s really all you can do. We have never lost a full crop — though there have certainly been years that may have not brought in as great of a crop as others, we have always trusted God and He has blessed us.
Ham Orchards – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a family-owned business, Ham Orchards, in Terrell, TX. We have homegrown peaches, local honey, a scratch bakery that produces everything from peach pecan bread to buttermilk pies, Ham Orchards BBQ by Eddie Deen–mouthwatering brisket, peach pulled pork, etc.– jars and jellies, homemade peach and strawberry ice cream, fruits, and vegetables. Situated by the train tracks, your visit to our orchard will probably be interrupted by a train horn as the train speeds past. Often, the conductors stop the train to come inside and get a towering cone or cup of peach ice cream.
We are open from mid-May to mid-August. Closed on Sundays.
We are most proud of the integrity of our employees and the passion they show for their job, and the kindness they show to our customers on a daily basis. They fill the store with joy.
What sets us apart is that our customers tell us the quality and customer service as well as the experience when visiting the orchard is unlike any other. Before we open the doors each day, our employees take turns leading us in a devotional and prayer time. We also close on Sundays, allowing our employees to rest and worship–which is not common these days. We give Jesus Christ the glory for all good things at Ham Orchards.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Sharien: For me, success is knowing God’s will for me and accomplishing it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11939 County Road 309
Terrell, TX - Website: hamorchard.com
- Phone: 972-524-2028
- Email: admin@hamorchard.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/hamorchards
- Facebook: facebook.com/HamOrchards
- Twitter: twitter.com/hamorchards
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ham-orchards-terrell-2
Image Credit:
Ham Orchards
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