By Matt de Simone
Bryant Orchards is more than just a family-run farm—it’s a living example of how traditional farming, community values, and forward-thinking innovation can thrive together. Operated by James and Preston Bryant, the orchard and livestock farm has become a cornerstone of the local food movement, offering residents a meaningful way to “buy fresh, buy local.” Preston and his wife, Kelsey, own and operate Bryant Orchards Farm Market in Daleville, a store where Botetourt residents have the chance play a part in supporting local farmers.
“When Botetourt citizens purchase locally, they are keeping that money in our community,” Preston Bryant said in a recent interview. “A bigger part of that for us is trying to educate the consumer on how much more fresh their food is and knowing plus trusting who grew it.”
The farm began in the late 1970s, started by Preston’s father, James. What began as just a few acres has grown significantly. Today, Bryant Orchards specializes in apples and peaches and also grows tomatoes. In addition, the farm maintains a stock of beef cattle.
With deep agricultural roots, the Bryants have found a thoughtful balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation. As orchard systems have evolved, so has Bryant Orchards—adopting higher-density tree plantings to boost yields and allow for earlier harvests. These advancements improve efficiency without losing sight of the natural rhythms of farming. On the livestock side, they remain committed to sustainable, humane practices, with a focus on long-term animal welfare and land stewardship.
The Bryants understand firsthand the role agriculture plays in the Botetourt community. “It’s real important,” Preston said. “That’s where we get our food from. We need to try and keep agriculture at some level growing, if we can.”
That spirit of cooperation is also evident among local farmers. “Somebody always needs a helping hand—we’re always lending that out and vice versa,” Preston added.
Looking ahead, the Bryants see both promise and challenge. They recognize that emerging technologies like AI and robotics will play a major role in the future of farming. At the same time, they’re concerned about the steady loss of farmland across the country. Even in Botetourt, recent commercial developments in the Daleville are a reminder of the agricultural spaces that have already been lost.
Preston remains confident in the future of farming in the area. “I think (farming in Botetourt has) a good, strong backbone right now, and I think it’ll continue for many years, especially on the northern end of the county where there’s not as much development.”
That optimism is rooted in a growing number of consumers who are more curious and engaged than ever—eager to support local farms and understand how their food is grown. For the Bryants, that curiosity is vital.
“We find people just want transparency,” Preston said. “When they ask where and how something is grown, answering them as openly as possible builds a level of trust.”
This commitment to openness and education comes to life at the Bryant Orchards Farm Market. Opened in 2019, the market was created to offer a direct source for fresh fruits and vegetables. The shop features farm-fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and locally made crafts. It also offers a “Market Box Subscription” twice a year, which supports area growers while ensuring families receive the freshest seasonal produce.
What sets Botetourt-grown products apart, according to the Bryants, is the attention and care that come with small-scale farming. Local farmers tend to their crops and animals with a level of detail often lost in large commercial operations.
Of course, farming isn’t without its challenges. Labor remains a major hurdle. Harvesting apples at Bryant Orchards currently requires over 30 workers—something they hope to improve with future technology.
“Currently, we rely on 30–35 workers to pick our apple crop,” Preston explained. “With a mechanical harvester we could cut this number to maybe 10 workers. With the cost of labor, seasonal work, and the physical demand, the job of a picker isn’t very attractive.”
Photo courtesy of Kelsey Bryant
Weather is another unpredictable challenge, especially for crops like peaches, which are sensitive to temperature changes and timing. Still, the Bryants persevere—aware that every growing season is a gamble, but one worth taking.
Bryant Orchards stands as a testament to what’s possible when a farm stays rooted in tradition while embracing smart, sustainable change. It’s a story reflected throughout Botetourt County, where farms are more than just places of production—they’re reflections of care, community, and commitment.
Buying local in Botetourt supports families, preserves farmland, and strengthens the community. Preston understands the benefits of knowing local farmers, being able to ask about practices used on the farm, keeping the money in the county, supporting a family, and helping to keep farm land.
As the county continues to grow and evolve, one thing is clear: the future of farming in Botetourt depends not only on farmers like the Bryant family, but also on the choices of the community that supports them.
