John Behrens, the owner of Farmhaus Cider based in Hudsonville, has initiated plans to assume control of Moelker Orchards, a historic orchard located near Grand Rapids, according to documents submitted to Tallmadge Township.
Moelker Orchards, which had been in the Moelker family for over a century, closed its doors at the end of 2022, with the family announcing its intention to put the property up for sale in early 2023.
Planning documents submitted to the township reveal that John Behrens is working on taking over the orchard’s operations, intending to maintain the continuity of Moelker Orchards and its Farm Market.
“The applicant intends to continue to operate the property relatively in the same fashion as the previous owner,” the planning documents state.
The proposed special use application for the property was discussed during the Tallmadge Township Planning Commission meeting held on August 22, as indicated by the meeting’s agenda.
