Aamodt’s Apple Farm: A Minnesota Orchard Tradition Since 1948
When Harry S. Truman was president, the average American family earned $2,950 a year, and gas cost just 16 cents a gallon. Post-World War II, young families were filled with optimism and ambition — it was the perfect time to start something new.
For Thor and Lucille Aamodt, the American Dream meant creating their own family-run apple orchard in Stillwater, Minnesota. They purchased a scenic piece of land along the St. Croix River Valley, known for its ideal soil and climate for growing crisp, juicy apples. Even back then, it was just a short, beautiful drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, making it easy for families to visit.
With seedling apple trees, a carefully planned orchard layout, help from their young son Tom, and plenty of faith, Aamodt’s Apple Farm was born.
Over the decades, the Aamodt family expanded the Minnesota apple orchard to more than 50 acres with over 6,000 trees. Generations of apple lovers came to pick Honeycrisp, SweeTango®, and other Minnesota-grown favorites while enjoying hayrides, baked goods, and family traditions.
Today, Aamodt’s Apple Farm is proudly run by the third and fourth generations of Minnesota apple growers. Tom’s son, Chris Aamodt, and his wife, Billi Jo, continue the tradition — welcoming families near and far to enjoy apple picking, hard cider, and the timeless charm of this historic Stillwater apple orchard.
A Historic Minnesota Apple Orchard in Stillwater
Over seventy seven years — and countless bushels of crisp, delicious apples — later, Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota still has the same welcoming charm that inspired Thor and Lucille back in 1948.
When you pick apples straight from the tree, you’re not just taking home fresh fruit — you’re experiencing a little trip back to a simpler time. Visitors love exploring the historic apple orchard near Minneapolis and St. Paul, complete with 1880s farm buildings that now serve as the heart of our apple store, bakery, and winery.
Most importantly, Aamodt’s remains a family-run Minnesota orchard, where family always comes first. We stay true to Thor and Lucille’s original vision: that a trip to the orchard should be educational, fun, relaxing — and, of course, delicious.
Sustainable Apple Growing in Minnesota
Here at Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota, we believe the best way to grow apples is by working with nature, not against it. Our family-run Minnesota apple orchard values sustainability and stewardship, so every crisp apple you pick is grown with care for the land, the trees, and future generations of apple lovers.
At Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota, we use sustainable agricultural practices that grow the high-quality Minnesota apples families look forward to every year — while caring for the land that makes them possible.
During the growing season, we apply only the minimal amount of spray needed to protect our trees from harmful insects, ensuring we grow beautiful, healthy apples without unnecessary chemicals. Our methods encourage the natural ecology of our family-run orchard, letting natural processes do the work whenever possible.
For example, apples that fall to the ground are left to provide a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil and sustaining the orchard. By working with nature, we keep our trees healthy and our land thriving — ensuring that future generations can enjoy apple picking traditions at our historic Minnesota apple orchard.
Protective of Natural Resources
Did you know many apples sold in grocery stores are shipped from California or even New Zealand — leaving a huge carbon footprint? At Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota, our apples are locally grown. The short trip from our Minnesota apple orchard to your driveway requires minimal fuel and creates far fewer carbon emissions.
We’re also proud to keep our impact on local water resources near zero. Our trees receive water only from the purest source — Mother Nature herself — when she blesses us with rain. Plus, we’ve installed a large rain garden at the orchard to slow runoff and help protect Brown’s Creek watershed and the scenic St. Croix River Valley.
Planning for the Future
Apple trees take 3–5 years to produce fruit, which means long-term planning is part of life at our family-run Minnesota apple orchard. To keep up with demand for the state’s favorite varieties, we recently planted over 300 new trees — including Honeycrisp and Sweet RiverBelle.
By continually planting and nurturing new trees, we ensure that Aamodt’s Apple Farm remains the best apple orchard close to the Twin Cities for generations to come.
