The Folk Collaborative is a family-owned business whose roots took hold some fifty odd years ago in a slightly different shape. Originally our orchard was started by our Uncle Joe when he planted a few apple trees in the soil. Being his best friend since their school days, my (Luke’s) daddy began working with Joe, grafting apple trees in the basement every Friday and Saturday after their work at the copper company. Before long, they had a full-fledged orchard on their hands and I had a playground that would not only entertain me, but also teach me a lifetime of lessons.
But, orchards mature, and so do the people who run them. Dad and Joe have both since retired, and for a short time, the apples and their trees took a rest. But one spring evening, Amanda and I were at the top of the orchard when it suddenly became as clear as the view of the mountains before us. This is what we are supposed to do.
We moved our apothecary and yoga businesses from downtown Blue Ridge to the orchard and made this our home. Over the years our businesses have evolved to what you experience today, but our commitment to carrying on family and Appalachian traditions remain. Here, the only crowd is around the pie case where Amanda makes those ol’ apple pies just like Mary Jo did or perhaps the small gathering of codgers who meet to sip coffee and tell the same fish tales they’ve told for decades. It’s what you picture within your soul when you think of an apple orchard and the life that goes with it – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.