{meet the family}

LuceLine Orchard is a sprawling 155-acre property located in Watertown, MN on the Luce Line Trail. The orchard started in 2004 with a dream and 300 apple trees.

Today the orchard is just shy of 10,000 trees and 4,500 grape vines. Their vision combined with hard work from family and friends has allowed them to open to the public.

We have several different varieties of apples, including many developed at the U of M, along with loads of pumpkins, gourds, squash and a variety of foods with our own unique apple twist. With 80 acres of woods and wetland, walkers, runners, bikers, horse riders, bird watchers and dogs on leash will have plenty to do and see. Experience the friendly small town farm feeling of LuceLine Orchard.

RICH & TERRI

Rich Pawelk grew up on a farm three miles west of Watertown (Montrose). Terri grew up in Delano and spent a good part of her childhood at her Grandparents’ dairy farm on Pioneer Trail in Greenfield. Farming was in their blood. They met the summer before 11th grade on a blind date. The first eight years of their marriage was spent farming with Rich’s parents near the Luce Line Trail. Things changed, and with heavy hearts, they left the farm heading out with their three children to a new life.
Living once again near the beloved Luce Line Trail in Plymouth, Rich started working nights at US Foods in Plymouth, Terri at KQRS in Minneapolis. It took years, but they got back to their roots, in 2004! The first crop was pumpkins. In 2007 the first 300 apple trees were planted. In 2009 the first acre of grapes. With help from family and friends, nearly 10,000 apple trees and six acres of grapes have been planted.

On September 12, 2012, LuceLine Orchard was born!

REED & KATIE

Reed and Katie met in 2003 while attending the University of Iowa. Reed graduated with a degree in finance and Katie the liberal arts. They were married in 2007. Reed is a financial advisor and owner of Ameriprise Financial in Elk River and Katie works for US Foods in Plymouth as a Customer Solutions Coordinator. They are parents to Owen (10), Emmett (8), Bear a yellow pointing lab and Birdie a fox red pointing lab. They currently reside in St. Michael. You will usually find Reed giving hayrides, or guiding people around the orchard and Katie behind helping with all things technology.

ABBY & RYAN

Abby is a senior Vice President and Partner for Twin Cities group. Ryan Jirak, a native of New Prague, MN and works for the largest work Comp insurance company in the state SFM and he’s the large account division leader. He graduated with a Finance degree from the University of St. Thomas. Abby and Ryan are proud animal parents to Tug (7) an English Cream golden retriever, Gordon (8) a Britney Spaniel, & Lenny (4) a micro mini pig, She and her husband Ryan were married June, 25th, 2016 at the orchard and they live in Victoria, MN. You will usually find Abby in the retail barn and Ryan out buzzing about the farm helping out in all areas when not hunting & fishing. Abby developed our signature Sangrias.

PAIGE & MATT

Paige and Matt Lynch met when they were teenagers and were married in 2010. Paige attended the Minnesota School of Business and graduated with a associates degree in veterinary technology. She works for St. Boni Pet Hospital. Matt is an Owner/Operator at Tonka Crane Service – (612) 720-6161. They are proud parents to Walter (10), Sam (Golden Retriever) and  cats…Howard and Franklin. They currently reside in Lester Prairie. You can find Matt giving hay rides and Paige running the food mart! Paige also invented our award winning apple fritters.