CJ Orchard Harvest Host

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Rutledge, Georgia, CJ Orchard Harvest Host offers a truly unique and delightful camping experience that goes beyond the conventional campground. As a participating location in the innovative Harvest Hosts network, CJ Orchard welcomes self-contained RVers to spend a night or more on their family-run farm, immersing themselves in the charm of agricultural life. This isn't just a place to park your RV; it's an opportunity to connect with local farmers, enjoy fresh, seasonal produce, and create memorable experiences in a tranquil, rural setting. For those looking to escape the ordinary and embrace the authentic flavors of Georgia, CJ Orchard provides a refreshing and engaging alternative.

CJ Orchard Harvest Host is conveniently located at 1251 Old Mill Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663, USA. This address places the orchard in the heart of Georgia's beautiful countryside, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet remaining accessible to nearby towns and attractions.

Rutledge itself is a charming community, and the orchard's location provides a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding Morgan County area, known for its historic towns and natural beauty. While CJ Orchard offers a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path experience, it is still within a reasonable driving distance of larger cities. Madison, a historic town renowned for its antebellum homes, is just a short drive away, offering opportunities for dining, shopping, and historical tours. Covington, another notable town with its own unique attractions, is also easily accessible. For those traveling from further afield, Rutledge is typically within an hour's drive east of Atlanta, making it a convenient stop for RVers exploring the broader Georgia region or passing through on longer journeys. The rural roads leading to the orchard are generally well-maintained, providing a smooth journey for RVs of all sizes. The beauty of a Harvest Host location like CJ Orchard is often its slightly more secluded nature, inviting guests to slow down and truly enjoy their surroundings, a welcome change from traditional highway-side campgrounds.

As a Harvest Host location, CJ Orchard provides specific services tailored to the unique nature of this camping model. While it's not a traditional campground with full hookups at every site, it offers a distinct set of benefits centered around the farm experience.

• Overnight RV Parking: The primary service is providing a safe and unique overnight parking spot for self-contained RVs. This means your RV must have its own bathroom, cooking facilities, and water tanks.

• Access to Fresh Produce: Guests have the opportunity to purchase fresh, seasonal produce directly from the orchard. CJ Orchards is well-known for its peaches, blueberries, and pecans, depending on the season.

• U-Pick Experience: During specific seasons, visitors may have the chance to engage in a "U-Pick" experience, allowing them to pick their own fruit directly from the trees and bushes, providing a fresh and engaging activity.

• Educational Farm Experience: While not a formal tour, guests often have the chance to interact with the family who runs the orchard, learning about farm life and the process of growing fruit.

• Peaceful Setting: The orchard environment offers a quiet and serene atmosphere for an overnight stay, away from the noise and congestion of urban areas or crowded campgrounds.

• Support for Local Business: As part of the Harvest Hosts model, guests are encouraged to support their host by making a purchase, directly contributing to the sustainability of this local Georgia farm.

CJ Orchard Harvest Host provides a range of features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for RVers seeking an authentic and enjoyable farm experience in Georgia.

• Family-Run Farm Tradition: For over thirty-eight years, Carolyn and Jim Markley have run CJ Orchards, establishing it as a beloved community mainstay. This deep-rooted family tradition ensures a welcoming atmosphere and a passion for their produce that shines through.

• Seasonal Fresh Produce: The orchard is renowned for its diverse selection of fresh produce, primarily peaches, blueberries, and pecans. Depending on the season of your visit, you could be enjoying tree-ripened peaches, plump blueberries, or fresh pecans.

• Premier Orchard in the Region: CJ Orchards is noted as the only full-sized orchard in a 20-county range, making it a premier provider of fresh fruit for the middle Georgia region. This exclusivity makes a visit here particularly special.

• U-Pick Opportunities: A significant highlight is the opportunity for "U-Pick" experiences, allowing guests to harvest their own fruit directly. This interactive element is a fun activity for families and adds a unique farm-to-table dimension to your stay.

• Variety of Peach Types: For peach lovers, CJ Orchards offers ten varieties of yellow flesh peaches, including early semi-freestone and true freestone varieties, ensuring a continuous harvest from mid-June to late July.

• Dedication to Quality: The farm emphasizes picking only the finest fruit at the height of ripeness, ensuring that any produce purchased is of the highest quality and flavor.

• Simple Farm Stand Setup: The "shed setup" is designed for ease and efficiency, allowing customers to easily purchase fresh produce and load it directly into their vehicles.

• Generators Allowed: For RVers, the allowance of generators means you can maintain power in your self-contained vehicle, providing flexibility and comfort during your stay.

• Rural Charm: The tranquil setting on a working farm offers a peaceful retreat, perfect for unwinding and enjoying the natural beauty of Georgia's countryside.

• Community Connection: Being a Harvest Host, CJ Orchard provides a unique opportunity to engage with local business owners and support small agricultural enterprises, fostering a deeper connection to the local community.

As a Harvest Host location, CJ Orchard operates under a specific model where the "promotion" is often the unique, free overnight stay itself for Harvest Hosts members, in exchange for supporting the host business. There isn't typically a public, ongoing "special offer" in the traditional sense, like a discount on a nightly rate, as there is no direct camping fee.

The primary "promotion" for members is the invaluable experience of staying at a unique location like a working peach and pecan orchard, with the understanding that guests are encouraged to make a purchase from the farm's store. This could include buying their renowned peaches, fresh blueberries, pecans, or other seasonal produce available at their farm stand. The value lies in the authentic experience and the fresh, local products you take home, rather than a monetary discount on a "site fee."

To learn about the specific produce in season, any special harvest events, or other offerings that might be considered a "promotion" through the Harvest Hosts network, it is always best to contact CJ Orchard directly via phone or check their official website or Harvest Hosts listing. They can provide the most current information on what's ripe for picking and any unique opportunities available during your planned visit.

For those eager to experience the charm of CJ Orchard Harvest Host, here is the contact information:

Address: 1251 Old Mill Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663, USA

Phone: (706) 707-6058

It is highly recommended to call CJ Orchard in advance to confirm availability, especially if you are a Harvest Hosts member planning an overnight stay. As a working farm, their hours and capacity for RVs may vary depending on the season and farm operations. Contacting them directly ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit, and you can also inquire about the current availability of specific produce.

CJ Orchard Harvest Host is an ideal and highly suitable choice for locals in the Georgia region, particularly for those with RVs, for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional campgrounds, providing a unique and authentic farm-stay experience that connects visitors directly with Georgia's rich agricultural heritage. This isn't just about parking your RV; it's about waking up on a working orchard, surrounded by the sights and smells of a vibrant farm.

Secondly, the opportunity to purchase fresh, seasonal produce directly from the source, including their famous peaches, blueberries, and pecans, is a significant draw. For locals, this means access to high-quality, regionally grown food that supports a long-standing family business. The chance to participate in U-Pick activities (when in season) further enhances this connection, offering a fun and educational activity for all ages.

Thirdly, its location in Rutledge, while offering a peaceful rural escape, remains conveniently accessible to charming nearby towns like Madison and Covington, allowing for easy day trips to explore historic sites, local shops, and restaurants. For those living in or around the Atlanta metro area, it's a relatively short and pleasant drive for a weekend getaway that feels a world away.

Finally, by choosing CJ Orchard through the Harvest Hosts program, locals are directly supporting a cherished small business and contributing to the preservation of Georgia's agricultural landscape. It’s a win-win: RVers get a unique, safe, and memorable overnight spot, and the farm receives valuable support. For Georgians seeking a distinctive, relaxed, and enriching RV camping experience that truly highlights the charm and bounty of their home state, CJ Orchard Harvest Host stands out as an exceptional choice.