By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
A new partnership in Washington’s Columbia Basin aims to boost the sustainable orchard production of organic fruit on a greater scale. Farmland LP, a U.S. farm manager focused exclusively on organic and regenerative farmland, and Stemilt Growers, a family-owned tree fruit grower, have launched a joint venture to expand organic apple and cherry orchards in the region. Both firms are co-investors in the JV, Farmland LP through its Vital Farmland III fund, underscoring their commitment to regenerative agriculture and the long-term stewardship of American farmland.
The collaboration spans 952 acres across seven orchards, with 311 acres already certified organic, 272 acres transitioning to organic status over the next several years and the remainder to be evaluated for future conversion. Farmland LP will oversee the organic conversion and ongoing land management, harnessing its expertise in regenerative practices, while Stemilt Growers will handle farm operations and post-harvest processes.
Farmland LP made the investment through its Vital Farmland III fund, which remains open to new commitments through year-end 2025. The capital deployment marks further diversification of the Fund III portfolio into apples and cherries, bringing its total holdings to more than 4,700 acres. Prior acquisitions include significant acreage at Riverwood Farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and a trio of farms in California’s San Joaquin Delta.
The Columbia Basin in Washington stands out as a cornerstone of domestic fruit cultivation, with a strong emphasis on apples and cherries. As part of the state that is responsible for roughly 70 percent of the nation’s apple output, the Basin flourishes due to features such as nutrient-packed volcanic soils, reliable watering systems fed by the Columbia River and a prolonged cultivation window that results in high-quality, generously sized yields. Additionally, it plays a major part in Washington’s position as the leading producer of sweet cherries in the U.S. market.
Farmland LP Managing Partner Craig Wichner stated, “This partnership brings together two organizations with a shared commitment to regenerative agriculture, premium fruit quality, and long-term land stewardship. With this joint venture, we are strengthening crop and regional diversification for our investors while expanding the supply of certified organic farmland to meet growing consumer demand.”
Stemilt Growers President West Mathison said: “This joint venture adds to our ability to deliver high-flavor, organic fruit with consistency. Farmland LP’s regenerative management and organic conversion approach complements our long-term vision and helps us steward some of the best orchard ground in the Columbia Basin.”
San Francisco, California-based Farmland LP manages $350 million in assets across over 19,000 acres and dozens of crops in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, prioritizing regenerative techniques to improve soil health and environmental resilience. Headquartered in Wenatchee, Washington, Stemilt Growers is led by the Mathison family and specializes in sweet cherries and organic tree fruits. The company serves retailers across North America and globally through a vertically integrated model, from “orchard to truck,” per the announcement.
The partnership highlights a growing investor interest in regenerative and organic agriculture, positioning such ventures as key drivers for scalable, sustainable food systems amid rising market demand for high-quality organic produce.
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