Brothers Mark, Ted, David, and John Rice were named Good Fruit Growers of the Year for 2011. They are the seventh generation of the family to grow apples in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

Brothers Mark, Ted, David, and John Rice were named Good Fruit Growers of the Year for 2011. They are the seventh generation of the family to grow apples in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

More acclaim for the Rice family

Dear Good Fruit Grower:

I could not agree with you more in choosing the Rice family from Biglerville, Pennsylvania, as your “Growers of the Year.” What a great choice and well-deserved honor for Rice Fruit Company. I have had the absolute honor and privilege of working with and knowing the family for close to 40 years. As they say, “It doesn’t get any better than that!” Since I represent New York State apple growers, one might think that I am polishing the competition here, but in reality, the Rice Fruit Company is not only a good neighbor, great business friends, and often, ­partners; they are a keystone that has helped bring our industries, East to West, together for the good of the ­common cause—apples!

Our relationship and our support for each other is second to none, and seeing the family nationally recognized for their greatness and for their accomplishments is ­wonderful.

Congratulations to Good Fruit Grower for an excellent choice and to my friends at Rice Fruit, for doing what they do so well.

Jim Allen

New York Apple Association, Inc.