Local Industry - Fruit

Our fifth Local Industry for Southern Illinois!

timing:

late 1800s - present day

Rendleman Orchards was founded in 1873

Illinois Central Railroad #14713, a ventilated fruit car dating from 1893 (image taken from Wikipedia Refrigerated railroad car article)

Zac, age 3
Greer's Lost Creek Blueberries

resource list:

Peach Festival - Cobden IL
held each August


Apple Festival - Murphysboro IL
held each September


Apple Books blog post


Residents Learn about Production and Marketing of Fruit
Illinois Extension - Jul 15, 2019
Mileur Orchard


We the People: Southern Ill. orchard celebrates 138 years of rich history
KFVS - Mar 23, 2026
Flamm Orchards


Rendleman Orchards celebrate 150 years
The Southern Illinoisan - Jun 29, 2023


Since our special guest is from the 4th generation of the Rendleman farming family, we focused on the story of that farm:


The Transformation of Rural Life: Southern Illinois, 1890-1990
by Jane Adams

"The Rendleman Farm," pp.21-24

"Rendleman Orchards," pp.24-28



All Anybody Ever Wanted of Me Was to Work: The Memoirs of Edith Bradley Rendleman
edited by Jane Adams

art ideas:

Baking Soda Paint
Since this reaction leaves a fuzzy texture, it is perfect for painting peaches! (I like to use this template. Print it, cut it out, and use that to trace a peach shape onto your watercolor paper. Then cut out the watercolor paper shape.)

Positive / Negative Art
This technique workes really well for apples or pears!

special guest:

fruit farmer

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