Michigan Cherry Farmers Are Selling Their Prize Orchards as Economic Pressure Grows

Known as the "Cherry Capital of the World," Traverse City, MI, is home to orchards that produce roughly 75% of the world's tart cherries.

But a combination of economic pressure, development demand, and generational turnover is lately pushing more cherry farmers to put their prize orchards on the market.

On Old Mission Peninsula, which juts out from Traverse City into Grand Traverse Bay and has an ideal climate for growing cherries, there are at least three heritage cherry farms on the market, with a combined area of more than 140 acres.

The trend raises questions about the future of cherry farming on the peninsula, which is one of the crucial sites for producing the much-loved fruit.

"Cherries are grown on limited sites in limited areas of the country and around the world," Nikki Rothwell of Michigan State University, who was named the 2025 Cherry Industry Person of the Year, tells Realtor.com®. "Our area is one of those unique places suited to cherries, and cherries have been grown in the Grand Traverse region for many generations. Cherry farming is part of our heritage and tradition in Michigan."

Challenges of cherry farming push some growers out

Leisa Eckerle-Hankins, a fifth-generation cherry farmer and founder of the Michigan Cherry Growers Alliance, tells Realtor.com that cherry farming in Michigan has become increasingly difficult over the last decade because growers are being squeezed from every direction at once.

"Weather volatility is one of the biggest challenges," she says. "We’re seeing more spring freezes, unpredictable temperature swings, excessive rain events, drought periods, and hail, all of which can dramatically impact a crop in a very short window of time. Cherries are especially vulnerable because the bloom period is so sensitive."

Sourcing labor is another major issue, according to Eckerle-Hankins.

"Cherry farming is still labor-intensive, and finding reliable seasonal labor has become harder and more expensive," she says. "At the same time, production costs continue to rise across the board—fuel, fertilizer, crop protection, insurance, equipment, packaging, and transportation have all increased significantly."

On top of that, she says that farmers are facing intense market pressure, with imports from Turkey and Chile pushing prices lower for American farmers.

"Michigan cherry growers compete in a global market where imported products, especially cherry concentrate and processed cherries from countries with lower production costs, can drive prices down," says Eckerle-Hankins. "Many farmers are not receiving prices that reflect the true cost of growing the crop in the United States."

There’s also the long-term challenge of uncertainty about the viability of cherry farming.

"Many farms are multigenerational family operations, but younger generations are questioning whether the economics are sustainable enough to continue farming," she says. "When you combine narrow profit margins with weather risk and increasing costs, it creates a very difficult environment for long-term investment and stability."

At the same time, Eckerle-Hankins says cherry farming is deeply tied to Michigan’s identity, tourism economy, and agricultural heritage.

"Many growers continue because it’s more than a business—it’s a way of life and a commitment to preserving farmland and the agricultural community for future generations."

Cherry farms for sale in Michigan

A 10-acre farm on Old Mission Peninsula—a scenic 19-mile-long strip of land famous for its rolling vineyards, cherry orchards, and waterfront views—is on the market for $389,000.

It comes with a pole building, vineyard, and cherry orchard with tart and sweet cherries.

The listing agent, Ted Schweitzer of Real Estate One, tells Realtor.com the property has never been on the market before, and that the owners are retiring.

Rothwell says, "Just like any job, some growers simply retire. The average age of farmers is almost 60, and growers retire from farming. We do have growers that don't have children or former workers that want to take over the farm, so selling is an option. Some growers have not been financially successful, and they need to sell the farm to pay for their retirement."

Schweitzer says most of the people who've been interested in the cherry farm have come from out of the area. "They want to own some land, live a slower lifestyle, and be involved in farming somehow," he says. "I've had some would-be buyers who've had farms before and miss it, and have also heard from hobbyists who want to start something on a smaller scale."

A 68-acre cherry farm on the market for $699,000 on Old Mission Peninsula is owned by the Ocanas family, who has farmed in the area for decades.

"Mr. Ocanas was a migrant worker," real estate agent Bob Brick of Brick & Corbett tells Realtor.com. "As a child, he learned about the Traverse City area by migrating here for work, and he loved it so much that he decided he wanted to find a place to buy here and raise a family. So he saved his money, and 50 years ago bought a farm on Old Mission Peninsula. He is now trying to sell this farm as a way to retire. His journey is a remarkable story."

This historic property is protected by a conservation easement held by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which permanently limits it for agricultural use. That means the land cannot be subdivided or developed for residential or commercial purposes, ensuring it remains farmland forever.

A nearby 66-acre cherry farm listed for $1.6 million features a private 10-acre homesite on the south end of the property with water and countryside views, while the remaining acreage is protected by a conservation easement. The listing says the property combines mature cherry plantings, open fields, and scenic vistas to offer both strong production potential and enduring privacy.

Reasons growers sell

When cherry growers do make the difficult decision to sell their farms, Eckerle-Hankins says there are often many factors at play.

"One of the biggest factors is profitability," she says. "Cherry farming has become increasingly difficult financially because growers face rising production costs while often receiving prices that don’t keep pace with those expenses. When several difficult crop years occur in a row due to weather events, market conditions, or low pricing, it can become hard for families to continue investing in the farm."

Although Eckerle-Hankins’ 27-year-old son farms alongside her 83-year-old father, she says many people also choose to sell because of challenges tied to passing the operation on to the next generation.

"Many Michigan cherry farms are multigenerational operations, but younger family members may choose different career paths because of the uncertainty and risk associated with farming today," she says. "Without a next generation willing or able to take over, families sometimes decide selling is the best option."

Farming is also physically demanding and emotionally taxing.

"Growers carry significant risk every season," says Eckerle-Hankins. "After decades of dealing with weather, labor challenges, and financial uncertainty, some families reach a point where they are ready to step away."

Land values and development pressure can also influence decisions.

"Agricultural land in scenic, high-demand areas can become extremely valuable for residential or commercial use," says Eckerle-Hankins. "For some families, the land's value may represent retirement security or an opportunity to pay off debt and support future generations."

At the same time, she says selling a cherry farm is rarely just a business decision.

"These farms are deeply tied to family history, identity, and community," says Eckerle-Hankins. "Many growers genuinely want to preserve agriculture and keep the land in farming if possible, which is why these decisions are often very emotional and difficult."