For years I have told anyone who will listen how much I love doing what I have come to call my annual “Isom’s Interview,” and this year is no exception. The Isom family has been a part of Limestone County for generations, and it “just ain’t summer without Isom’s.” They solve the problem of needing and wanting fresh, local produce and being able to get it at a reasonable price. This is stuff that is freshly picked, and boy, the flavor says it all. Here is a bit of their story:
By way of history, the 300-plus acres on both sides of Hwy 72 that comprise Isom’s Orchards was purchased in increments by Wes’s grandfather, Edison Kent Isom, beginning in 1933. Thankfully, the family approach to farming has always been what could be considered “old-school,” in that it involves crop rotation and letting the land rest without apology. Back in the day, they used as a manual a book published by what is now known as Auburn University, and its focus was to get high yield without wearing out the land. Wes’s dad, Joseph, started selling produce out of his truck in 1957, and did a robust business in the summertime selling peaches. Wes grew up working in the orchard and on the farm, and he and Marlene will tell you that they know without a doubt that this is their life’s work. In 1961, the first produce stand was built, and in 1966, Joseph added apple trees to the lineup. The produce stand was replaced in 1974 with the one that stood on Highway 72 until this past winter, and in April the brand-spankin’ new one on essentially the same spot opened up with selling strawberries. They started selling on the front porch, and then opened up the interior about 3 weeks ago.
“New face and same guts,” Wes told me with his trademark grin. He went on to say, “It was time for a good housecleaning. You would not believe the stuff we found that we had to get rid of. Farmers tend to hang on to things ‘just in case,’ and it felt good to get cleaned out.” Prior to taking down the old stand right around Thanksgiving of 2024, Wes and his wife, Marlene, traveled around for about three years to look at other stands for ideas.
The new building has been carefully crafted to reflect a timeless approach that is also married to the 21st century. There are several large garage doors that can be brought down in a moment in case there’s a pop-up storm. People can keep shopping until the squall is spent. “We aren’t really adding anything, and we aren’t taking anything away,” said Wes. They keep the air moving with an array of commercial size fans strategically placed around the building. This was by design, because they did not want to pass on the cost of air-conditioning to the consumer. However, the two rooms that are air-conditioned are the restrooms. Wes is kind of an “if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it” kind of guy, and the 80’ x80’ building is proof. The one “splurge” is the knotty pine throughout, and it is beautiful. The first cooler has been built, and the plan is to have the second cooler ready to go next spring. Wes also knows that trying to remodel the 1974 stand would have been what he calls “putting new patches on old jeans,” and they love their new digs. One more thing that is being planned for next year is a play area for kids while their parents shop.
Wes took a good bit of our time together talking about everyone who helped birth a dream that Marlene had had for close to twenty years. Wes was determined to make sure everyone was thanked, and I think he was a bit nervous that he might forget someone. If he or I made that mistake, please forgive us. The lumber came from Flanagan Lumber in Athens, and Wes told me that they beat the prices of the big box stores. Brad Malone did the excavating and site work. Encore Electrical installed the wiring, Luke Johnson “pounded out” all the carpentry, Stateline Garage Doors put in all the doors, and Summertown Metals handled the metal fabricating for the walls. JG Plumbing took care of the septic systems, and there were countless friends and raving fan customers who helped with other aspects of getting the “brand-new-
old-Isom’s” up and at it. The grins on Wes’s and Marlene’s faces, even after a long day on their feet say it all: THANK YOU!
Isom’s is about more than summertime produce. They also have a U-pick field for flowers, and once again will have the sunflower field which can be used as a wonderful backdrop for photographers. Because this has been such a wet spring and early summer, the flowers aren’t here yet, but they are coming! Peaches definitely need for the rain to stop soon, so that’s a prayer request for everyone who loves them some Isom peaches. The autumn line up of pumpkins (Wes’s favorite crop), fresh cider, the scarecrow contest, and more are on their way. Until then, there is plenty from which to partake at Isom’s Orchards, some of what makes summer so special in Athens-Limestone County.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
June 20, 2025
