— NOBLE ORCHARDS —
I
t’s been 100 years since Grandpa Perry Noble, wife Ethel and young son Vincent moved to Paradise in 1921 and planted their apple orchard. One of the reasons they chose Paradise was the promise of a steady supply of water for agriculture afforded by the Paradise Irrigation District, established in 1916. Noble Orchards remains a family owned and operated business, with grandson, Jim Noble and his wife Laurie preserving the family legacy.
delightful. It’s a testament to agriculture that the orchard did not burn and we have trees that are producing this year.”
New: “The Nursery at Noble Orchards”
The Nursery at Noble Orchards is a new venture, providing a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees for customers. There are lots of colorful plants and vegetables that are propagated on the Pentz Road farm.
Look for delicious apples and stone fruits in August
Only remnants remain of Perry Noble’s construction and agricultural facilities. The 1932 rustic fruit packing shed was used until the fire. It held crates of apples and peaches, homemade cider and Laurie’s wonderful apple butter. The original hand-constructed stonework remains in a couple of areas and is treasured. Over the years the Nobles have faced unique farming challenges, including apple-loving deer and bears, but none the magnitude of the devastating November 18, 2018 Camp Fire.
Moving forward after the Camp Fire
The current crop of stone fruits and apples are receiving excellent care from orchardist Jim Noble and his crew. Fruits are expected in August, just in time for the Chamber of Commerce to purchase Noble’s Granny Smith apples for their Johnny Appleseed Pie Kit.
Top:1963 Sac Bee photo,
After the Camp Fire, Jim and Laurie Noble decided to rebuild three generations of the orchard. “If we had not had green trees in the orchard, we Noble “Apple men.” L-R: might have come to a different decision. But the trees want Founder, Grandpa Perry to produce. This is the last apple orchard in Paradise” Laurie said. So the Nobles returned to Paradise as soon as they could B. Noble, his son, Vincent legally occupy, despite the lack of hookups for their trailer. R. Noble, ladder. Bottom Debris cleanup took about a year. Fortunately, the most of the to top: grandsons Gerald, orchard trees survived, but the drip irrigation was destroyed James A. and Jon Noble. and the newly-installed bear fence system melted. Jim and Laurie forge ahead to re-create Noble Orchard Company – Above: Remembering the century two. It is unknown how long it will take to re-create 1932 rustic fruit packing what was, and it will never be the same. But they are planting shed that was used until future promise with new varieties of fruit and plants. the fire and the memoraLaurie reflected, “There’s a possibility with this fire that somebody else may put in apples or decide that some of the land could be used for agriculture, and I think that would be
ble sign on Pentz Road, that welcomed visitors and shoppers.
Visit Noble Orchards 7050 Pentz Road, Paradise Check their Facebook page for product availability and hours of operation.
PARADISE RISING Resource Guide for the Ridge 2021/22..................................................................................................................27
recreation
Noble Orchard-family owned since 1921
