Wayne started working on the farm in 1966 when he graduated high school. Working alongside his parents, Odell and Gladys Barnwell, he was raised to believe in hard work. At the age of 74, Wayne still works very hard on the farm to provide for his family. He was voted Farmer of the Year in 2022. His son Doug works on the farm with him. In 1959, Wayne’s parents opened their first apple shed. It was a brown structure that still stands behind the existing packing house that was built in 1965. In 1977, cider house was built behind the packing house.

Wayne is the only farmer who can make fresh, unpasteurized cider. Some of the cider is sold to Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, owned by Alan Ward, to make hard cider. Wayne makes regular and mulled cider as well as apple cider vinegar with mother in it. In 2000 Wayne’s Dad, Odell Barnwell, passed away. Wayne is the owner and operator of Odell Barnwell and Sons, LLC. He also has two year round workers, besides his son, and treats all of his employees with much respect and appreciation like his own family. The farm has about 90 acres of apples and 10 acres of peaches. His produce has increased over the years. He grows all types of vegetables, pumpkins of various kinds, gourds, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and kennebec potatoes. You can also purchase sourwood honey, wildflower honey (with or without the comb), clover honey, and locust honey. They also carry Sorghum, apple butter, sugar and sugar free jams and jellies, hot and mild chow chow, relishes, pickles of various kinds, sauces, and more!

Wayne picks apples and peaches all day to have at the packing house for customers to purchase and to fill big orders. Wayne serves as president and on the board of directors of the Western North Carolina Co-op. He also serves on the board of directors for Farm Bureau. Wayne and his wife Janet are very well known in the community for helping many children in school, making donations to several churches to help families in need.

At the packing house, they are dog friendly and even give them a treat and water. The packing house opens on Memorial Day weekend and doesn’t close until February. They are open from 8 until 5, seven days a week.