Whistling Well Farm

Learn About Whistling Well Farm

Whistling Well Farm, founded in 1972, is an apple orchard located in the St. Croix River Valley. Former schoolteachers Carol and Charlie Johnson started the farm with a few cows and grain crops and by 1980, they began planting apple trees with their sons. Today, they grow a selection of Minnesota’s favorite apple varieties such as First Kiss, SweeTango, Honeycrisp, Haralson, and Zestar. Named for the farm’s well that whistles when the wind bounces off the St. Croix River bluffs, Whistling Well now has over 18,000 apple trees and offers autumn-time picking while also selling their apples to local co-ops, including Seward Co-op.

Pick Small-Scale, Local, Sustainable Apple Orchards

Through a partnership with Cornell University and by practicing integrated pest management, Whistling Well is committed to sustainable and bee-friendly orchard care. Charlie Johnson loves working with co-ops because, he says, they deeply care about where food comes from, how it is produced, and understand the importance of eating locally grown foods. Try a variety of Whistling Well apples next time you visit Seward Co-op, and get to learn more about apples here.

What’s New at Whistling Well Farm?

Despite a challenging 2025 growing season due to extreme heat, heavy rains, and even a touch of hail, excellent weather during the crucial pollination period led to a strong harvest. This year also brings exciting new varieties:

Kudos: a sweet, tart, and crisp cross between Zestar and Honeycrisp
Triumph: a crisp, colorful cross between Honeycrisp and Liberty
Ambrosia: a crisp, sweet apple originally developed in British Columbia

Thanks to sustainable growing practices, skilled hand-picking crews, and modern processing facilities, Whistling Well ensures every apple reaches our shelves fresh and full of flavor. Look for their new plastic-free, compostable 4-pack sampler, which makes the perfect gift for a teacher, friend, neighbor, or yourself!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOODS PROGRAM