Fruity Goodness

Q&A with Ruth Wardwell of Reedley’s Top of the Hill

Edible: When and where did you start Top of the Hill, and how has it evolved into what it is today?
Top of the Hill: After many years of growing fruits and vegetables in Reedley, I began selling apricots at the Visalia Farmers Market in 1985. Then I started making jams in 2002 using our crop, which was an added value during the markets. I currently sell my jams and excess fruit at different farmers markets and I offer wholesale, as well.

Edible: Is there a team of people behind the scene or is it owner-operated?
Top of the Hill: My husband and I run the business full-time with the help of a few of our grandchildren, whom you’ll often find running our market booths.

Edible: What varieties of citrus do you grow, and when are they each are at their peak season?
Top of the Hill: We grow Meyer lemons and Buddha’s hands November through February, mandarins November through May, three varieties of navel oranges January through May, Valencia oranges June through November, and kumquats January through March.

Edible: What other fruits or vegetables do you grow and sell?
Top of the Hill: We also grow and sell peaches, plums, apricots, apples, persimmons and quince. All of our crop is used for our jams.

Edible: What challenges or obstacles have you had to overcome throughout your years in business?
Top of the Hill: It’s been a challenge growing many different crops on a small farm, but we’ve learned a lot over the years and continue to prepare and overcome the best we can.

Edible: Do you participate in any special events or festivals?
Top of the Hill: Besides the farmers markets, we also participate in the Pomegranate Festival in Madera on the first Saturday in November, the Mandarin Festival in Auburn the third weekend in November and the Springville Apple Festival on the third weekend in October, to name a few.

Edible: Where can your products be found?
Top of the Hill: We sell at the Vineyard Farmers Market in Fresno, the Clovis Farmers Market and the Visalia Farmers Market.

Edible: Anything else you’d like to share?
Top of the Hill: We’d like to thank our loyal customers who make it possible for us to do what we love, including selling to them every week.

Top of the Hill
Owners Lance and Ruth Wardwell
https://www.jam4you.com/