Ellijay Orchard Guide: R & A Orchards
Popular for their vibrant flower fields of zinnias, sunflowers, and wildflowers, R & A Orchards has been a North Georgia family favorite for more than 70 years. Enjoy peach soft-serve and homemade sweet treats from the bakery, and homestyle meals in the café. Open year-round, the farm offers fresh strawberries in the spring, peaches and nectarines in the summer, and U-Pick apples and flowers in the fall. Every season brings something fresh (and delicious) to experience at R & A Orchards!
The Family Behind R & A Orchards
The story began in 1947, when Leonard and Della Payne planted their first apple trees on the family’s land in Gilmer County. As the orchard grew, Roger and Ann Futch joined the family partnership in 1969, helping to expand the farm and bring its fresh fruit to more people. By 1972, they opened a roadside market on Highway 52, giving travelers a chance to stop, sample, and take home the harvest.
Today, the orchard is run by Andy and Jennifer Futch and their children, marking three generations of family dedication to farming. What started with a few apple trees has grown into more than 160 acres of apples, peaches, nectarines, and vegetables. Through every season, R & A Orchards remains a place where family tradition and community connection thrive.
Endless Fun On The Farm
Open year-round, R & A Orchards offers something new to enjoy each season. In the spring, take a tractor tour through the apple blossoms and enjoy fresh strawberries from the market. Summer brings juicy peaches, nectarines, and their popular peach flavored soft-serve ice cream. Beginning Labor Day weekend, visit on Saturdays and Sundays to enjoy a scenic wagon ride through the orchard, pick your own apples, and stop by the flower fields to gather a colorful bouquet of zinnias, sunflowers, and wildflowers.
The sweet aroma of the bakery greets every guest, where you’ll find favorites like fried pies, apple fritters, fudge, cakes, syrups, and more. For savory bites, the cafe serves homestyle meals made with fresh, local ingredients, including BBQ sandwiches and soup classics like homemade chicken and dumplings and Brunswick stew. Stop by the market to bring home jams, jellies, ciders, honey, and seasonal produce, and take a taste of R & A Orchards home with you.
Know Before You Go
- Hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Cafe Hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Address:
- 5505 Hwy 52 E, Ellijay, GA 30536
- Phone:
- 706-273-3821
Upcoming Events at R & A Orchards
List of events in Photo View
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