Twenty-six years ago, Corneliu Gradinariu left everything he had ever known in his homeland of Romania and headed for the border of Yugoslavia.
As a Pentecostal Christian, living in a communist country, he was not safe. When he arrived at the United Nations embassy in Yugoslavia, workers asked him why he was leaving Romania. “I am a Christian. I love God. I want to serve God,” replied Corneliu.
At that moment, Corneliu, never dreamed that in another 26 years, he would be living in Missouri, running an orchard with his wife and children. However, he did know he wanted to come to the United States.
At the UN embassy, Corneliu had the choice of being sent to the United States, Canada or Australia.
“I chose the United States of America. No money has the name of God on it other than the United States of America,” explained Corneliu.
In 1990, Corneliu started building his life in California. He and his wife, Verginia, resided in Riverside, Calif., for 14 years. While living there, Corneliu completed an apprentice electrician program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
“I do all kinds of work, but my specialty is electrical work,” said Corneliu.
The West Coast would not be the Gradinariu’s home forever. A trip to visit Corneliu’s sister in Springfield, Mo., in 2004 was all it took for the Gradinariu’s to fall in love with the Ozarks.
“My wife liked area too much,” Corneliu said with a chuckle.
Corneliu and Verginia, along with their 10 children, spent a decade running turkey farms in the Ozarks. But two years ago, what started out as a stop to buy apples blossomed into a new business opportunity. The long-time owner of Gardener’s Orchard in Brighton, Mo., was ready to retire and looking to sell his business. The Gradinarius admit they knew nothing about running an orchard but that wasn’t going to stop them. “When you move from one country to another, you do anything you have to do,” explained Corneliu.
Now well into their second season as owners of Gardener’s Orchard, the family operates their business like pros. They are grateful to the previous owner for all his help and advice in getting them started. The Gradinariu family cares for 600 apple trees and 100 peach trees on their 33-acre farm and orchard.
“We’re learning as we go. We are teaching each other as we work together,” said 21-year-old Aurora Gradinariu. The family says there is always more to learn about pruning, picking, mowing and treating fruit trees.
“No year is the same, every season is different. We try to prevent anything from hurting the trees. We want them to be healthy and grow,” explained Aurora. The Gradinarius acknowledge running the orchard requires relentless attention, sometimes up to 14 hours of work a day. But you won’t ever hear any of the Gradinarius grumbling about the labor.
“So far no complaints. This year we got a good crop of peaches. God blessed us with a good crop of peaches and apples,” said Corneliu.
“It was a nice process as a family to do together. I love picking apples. It is a good bonding time to go with the family. We can pick and talk,” added Aurora.
The orchard boasts 14 varieties of apples including; Gala, Jonathon, Honey Crisp, Rome and Braeburn, just to name a few. They also grow nectarines, New Haven and White peaches. Customers can pick their own peaches and apples or purchase pre-picked fruit in Gardener’s Orchard’s on-site store. In the store, customers will also find Amish-made jams, jellies, butters, flour and many other goodies.
“We try to have a little bit of everything. Things you don’t find in a grocery store,” commented Aurora. In the fall, the Gradinarius sell fresh apple cider made in a special room equipped with an apple grinder, press and cooling tank.
“For me, when I do anything, I want it to be good. I care so much about the trees and fruit. I like working with customers as well, making sure they leave with a good product,” explained Aurora.
Corneliu was unsure of what the future held with he fled Romania more than two decades go. But then, and now, Corneliu is steadfast in his devotion to God and to his family. Though running an orchard requires patience and persistence, the Gradinariu family embraces this chapter of their lives with joy and thanksgiving.
“I can’t believe my parents own this. It is so beautiful. I am thankful every step of the way,” reflected Aurora.
