About Us
“Encorepreneur” – one who follows up a career with a new entrepreneurial endeavor
Liberty Apple Orchard is owned and lovingly cared for by Lugene and Steve Miller, a pair of true “encorepreneurs.” In 2013, Steve retired from a 37-year career in the energy industry. The very next day he and Lugene, a former teacher, opened Liberty Apple Orchard. Steve firmly believes that it’s important to have not only something to retire from, but something to retire to. For the Millers, that meant sharing one of their favorite family activities with their community.
Steve and Lugene have four daughters and years spent living all across the country. Wherever they ended up, the Miller family would find a place to pick apples. Those memories stuck, and they wanted to share that same wholesome experience with their community — a place where families gather and kids can discover firsthand where fresh fruit comes from.
The first 100 trees were planted in 2008, five years before Liberty Apple Orchard opened its doors to the public. Since then, there’s been 100 to 200 new trees added each year. Today the orchard is home to over 1,000 trees and 21 apple varieties.
What We Stand For
Fresh, Local Fruit for the Community: Our first and foremost goal is to provide the community with high-quality, locally grown apples.
Education for the Next Generation: Our second objective is an extension of Lugene’s experiences as an elementary school teacher in New York, Indiana and Minnesota. The orchard hosts preschool and elementary school field trips where students learn how apples grow and see the many tools and equipment used to care for the orchard.
Giving Back: Our third commitment is community outreach. Over the years, the orchard has partnered with St. Louis and Metro-East food banks, hosted fundraising events for the American Cancer Society, and supported many other meaningful causes.
Growing Something Worthwhile
Building an orchard from the ground up — without a background in agriculture — has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. Starting a business is easy, but keeping a business thriving can be extremely difficult. There have been plenty of “rotten apples” along the way, but we’ve been fortunate to lean on a dedicated team of both young and retired helpers who keep things running year-round. We’re also grateful for the knowledge shared by fellow growers, university extension staff, consultants, and online resources.
Why “Liberty”?
The orchard takes its name from one of history’s most enduring speeches. At Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of a nation “conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal.”