Our fruit is regeneratively grown — farming that builds soil health, supports pollinators, and restores the land. By feeding the soil with natural amendments we nurture microbes and fungi that deliver nutrients straight to the roots. Healthier soil means our trees absorb more nourishment, producing fruit that’s naturally richer in flavor and nutrition.

We take a holistic approach to soil health, plant nutrition, and pest management. Guided by detailed soil tests, we plant diverse cover crops that prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and naturally return nitrogen and other key nutrients to the soil—strengthening the health and vitality of our fruit trees.

We supplement the soil with compost and natural amendments such as algae, worm emulsion, and chicken litter, while significantly cutting back on synthetic fertilizers and eliminating herbicides entirely. Watering is done deeply but infrequently to encourage strong, resilient root systems that can access nutrients more effectively. When treatments are necessary, we rely only on OMRI-listed products approved for organic production.

To encourage natural pest control, we’ve installed bird boxes and a bat box, inviting insect-eating wildlife into the orchard to help manage pests. Bee boxes have been added to enhance pollination, supporting both our fruit trees and our cover crops, which in turn improves yields and biodiversity across the orchard ecosystem.

Cherrywood Orchard is Regenerative Verified through Soil Regen. Their two-step process includes certified soil testing to confirm soil biology and organic matter are improving, along with production management verification to ensure our practices build living soil rather than deplete it.

To our knowledge, Cherrywood Orchard is the first regeneratively verified Flathead cherry orchard around Flathead Lake, achieving verification in May 2025.

Organic and regenerative farming are similar, but they’re not the same.

Organic farming mainly focuses on what not to use — like synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. It’s a huge improvement over conventional farming, but organic doesn’t always focus on building soil health or improving the nutrition in the food itself. So, while organic produce is cleaner, its nutrient levels can still vary.

Regenerative farming takes things a step further. It’s not just about avoiding chemicals — it’s about improving the land. Regenerative farmers build healthy soil, increase biodiversity, and restore the natural ecosystem. The soil becomes alive with microbes and minerals that help plants absorb more nutrients. Healthier soil means more nutrient-rich, flavorful fruit.

Research from places like the Rodale Institute shows that regeneratively grown crops often contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than conventionally or even organically grown produce. For example, regenerative vegetables often have higher levels of zinc and iron because the soil is more biologically active.

You can think of it like this:
Conventional → Organic → Regenerative

Each step improves both the land and the food. Organic gets rid of the bad stuff. Regenerative adds back the good stuff — rebuilding the soil so it can nourish the trees and, in turn, grow more nutritious fruit.

When organic and regenerative methods come together, that’s called regenerative organic — the gold standard.
That’s what we’re working toward at Cherrywood Orchard.

Healthy Soil = Healthier Trees = More Nutritious Fruit = Healthier People.