Frank Carlson. (File photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Franklyn Carlson, co-owner of Carlson Orchards, confirmed on Monday that Carlson's cider-making operation is being transferred to Steve Rowse's New England Apple Products Company in Leominster. According to Carlson, the Carlson Orchards brand will be maintained, and differences seen by wholesale and retail customers will be minimal. During a two- to three-year transition period, Carlson will remain involved in the cider operation.

Harvard resident Rowse, formerly a sales executive with Veryfine Products, Inc. prior to its sale to Kraft Foods in 2004, has been working on the transition with Carlson for several months. Rowse said Monday morning he "felt he had been adopted, and is like a fourth Carlson brother."

Carlson said this is a move "…whose time has come. If there were a Frank Jr., or a Bruce or Robert Jr. (Bruce and Robert are the other Carlson brothers who own and operate Carlson Orchards), or if our daughters' interests didn't lie in different directions at this time, we'd be thinking of handing down the cider operation, but as that is not the case, it makes sense to transfer it to a younger person that can take it to the next level."

According to Carlson, the cider operation has been growing significantly in the last few years, and it would be difficult to expand the Oak Hill operation. There are problems with wastewater disposal, and the existing facility is limited. Truck traffic to bring in the 90 percent of apples not grown locally is an issue which will be much better handled at the Leominster facility, with close proximity to Route 2 and Interstate 190.

The Carlson brothers at the grand opening of their solar array in August 2010. From left, Frank, Robert, and Bruce Carlson.

Rowse confirmed that the people in the five main jobs involved in cider production, none of whom lives in Harvard, will move with the equipment to the new location at 320 Industrial Road, off Route 13 next to the Fitchburg Municipal Airport. The move began Monday, and Rowse said cider making will resume "as quickly as possible."

Carlson emphasized that the move will have little impact on Carlson customers. Carlson Orchards cider will continue to be available for purchase every day at the retail store at the farm, as well as the many retail outlets in the area, including the Harvard General Store. Wholesale customers have been kept informed as plans evolve, and are very supportive, realizing the limitations of the existing operation, Carlson said.

Carlson was asked to estimate the percentage of total electricity usage the cider operation represents; he said no more than 20 percent. The remaining farm operation will easily utilize the electricity production of the 220 kilowatt solar array installed at the farm last year, he said.