With roots in the town of Guilford since 1639, the Bishops’ farming business was founded in 1871 when Walter Goodrich Bishop began offering dairy products, vegetables, and ice to the local community. Withstanding hurricanes and hail, floods and droughts, windstorms and late frosts, and harm from animals, insects, and disease, the farm survived and grew. Burton Walter Bishop joined his father and in 1909 they began their first orchard. Nine years later, representing a third generation, Burton’s sons Arthur F. and Charles R. joined in. Land purchases in the 1920s expanded the business and in 1957, when Arthur’s and Charles’ sons Albert and Gene (Charles E.) came on board, the farm was incorporated. During the 1960s, crops included apples, peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, strawberries, lettuce, cabbage, beans, and other vegetables offered at their seasonal market and sold wholesale. The next decade brought a year-round market and expanded pick-your- own crops. More orchards were purchased, a second market and cider mill opened, and farm operations reorganized to allow improved efficiency and expansion. By the late 1970s, Albert’s son Keith and Gene’s son Jonathan completed college and officially joined the business. Later, Albert’s sons Craig and David joined, then left to pursue other interests. Improvements continued in the next 20 years, including five-year planning, goal setting, and development of a mission statement. In 1997, Albert’s daughter Diane van der Grinten became manager of the bakery which opened a year earlier. Gift packs are now offered and pumpkins are sold in a new Post and Beam barn. The company employees 40 people (up to 90 during harvest and PYO season). Keith and Jon are the top ranking Bishops now, with “retired” dads Al and Gene helping out part time and serving on the Board of Directors. Bishops Orchards credits diversity of products and response to consumer needs as keys to its success. The Bishop family, now including a sixth generation of young helpers, hopes to continue offering quality, fresh-grown food at reasonable prices to friends and neighbors. 20 0 0 National Category Winner (Small) B.W. Bishop and Sons, Inc. • Guilford, CT Nominated by: University of New Haven/Center for Family Business, West Haven, CT family business S M A L L C A     T E G O R Y The 2000 National Family Business next page | return to article