Hallmark Peach Orchard

Owners: Tara and Billy Hallmark

Location: Dixon, Mo.

History: Tara Hallmark left a career with FEMA to work full time on the farm she shares with her husband Billy, where they grow peach trees in Dixon, Mo. While Billy is a second-generation farmer, living close to the land is new to Tara and she has had to learn from her husband in the couple’s endeavor to raise quality peaches.

“Fruit trees aren’t identified in this area,” Tara said. So far, they have been a success. Their peaches have sold out when offered at Pulaski County Farmer’s Market in Waynesville, Mo.

The idea for a peach farm came when Tara was taking a bioengineering and bioremediation course at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo.

“Also, because my husband likes them,” Tara added.

Selecting and Growing Peaches: “Billy chooses the types of peaches to put in the ground. They range across the seasons and varieties,” Tara said. “The watering system is well and rainwater. The roofs all have rain barrels. Straw is placed at the base of the trees. We do not use industry grade chemicals on the trees. Billy prunes the trees after they have grown up a couple of years. We have had our share of impact due to insects, heat wave, late frost and poor tree stock.”

What have you learned along the way about growing peaches?

“I had trouble with the peach trees right off the bat and it was a lot of research, a lot of studying. And, we had five cedar trees in that yard, and I had to cut everyone down because cedar and peaches don’t get along,” Billy said. “Every year, we put in at least 10 trees. We have about 100 trees.”