Tim Mercier cuts the ribbon and begins the year-long celebration of Mercier Orchards’ 75th anniversary.

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Friends, family, fellow business owners, and Georgia dignitaries gathered to celebrate an important anniversary on Friday, Jan. 19. Mercier Orchards, a Fannin County staple and a Georgia landmark, is celebrating 75 years of business.

Founded by Adele and Bill Mercier in 1943, Mercier Orchards has adapted over the years to become one of the area’s largest attractions, boasting more than 600,000 visitors each year. One aspect of Mercier Orchards that has remained the same throughout the years is family.

As crowds gathered for the kick off of Mercier Orchards year-long celebration, the theme of Farm and Family could be felt throughout the room. While the business itself has been passed down through the Mercier family with four generations having worked to help build the brand, the employees were praised and acknowledged for their roles in helping Mercier’s to become what it is today.

“They make us what we are,” Tim Mercier, current chief executive officer of Mercier Orchards, said of the employees. “They do all the work. They present the part of us that the public sees, and they’re really the true family of Mercier’s Orchards.”

Reverend Michael Brunson began the celebration by offering a blessing: “Thank you for this beautiful planet that you provided for all of us.”

Brunson spoke directly of the blessing that Mercier Orchards has bestowed upon our community: “It provides our livelihood and that of many in Fannin County.”

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, left, presents a resolution to Tim Mercier.

Among the dignitaries at the event to recognize Mercier Orchards were: Bernard Sims (vice president to the board of the Georgia Farm Bureau), Gary Black (Georgia Department of Agriculture commissioner), Jan Hackett (president of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce), Larry Joe Sosebee (Fannin County Post 2 commissioner), Dr. Michael Gwatney (Fannin County School System superintendent), Caroline Lewallen (president of the Georgia Agritourism Association), and David Ralston (speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives).

Commissioner Gary Black presented a resolution from the Georgia Department of Agriculture: “It is a special treat to come spend this very special time with a family that’s very dear to me, dear to this department.”

Black joked that the department sometimes allows him to have input on the resolutions, but then turned to Tim Mercier and said, “I wrote this one, and I want to read it to my friend.”

“Indeed business ideas, inventions and discoveries have a starting point,” Black read from the resolution, “and it is notable and appropriate that Mercier Orchards be recognized as one of the first and certainly as a demonstrated leader in Georgia’s multi-million dollar agritourism industry. And the state of Georgia and countless Georgia agritourism operators owe a debt of gratitude to the Mercier family for their leadership.”

President of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Jan Hackett spoke of the impact of Mercier Orchards on Fannin County. Hackett joked that her husband once said, “The Merciers are kind of like the Kennedys of Fannin County.”

Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives David Ralston, right, came to celebrate with the Mercier family.

On a serious note, Hackett spoke of the adaptation to change that Mercier Orchards has displayed in its long history of business. She noted that Merciers was the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2010.

“Mercier Orchards is one of the county’s most successful businesses,” Hackett stated to the crowd,”one that brings hundred of thousands of visitors and shoppers to Blue Ridge and Fannin County every year.”

David Ralston, speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, presented a resolution that was recently passed in the Georgia General Assembly.

“Those of us who have lived in Fannin County for a while and knew Bill and Adele Mercier are better for having that experience,” Ralston began.

“Mercier Orchards enjoys the distinction of celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding,” Ralston read from the resolution. “This outstanding company has grown from its humble beginnings in 1943 to become one of the leading orchards in this country.”

The Mercier family was present as well to celebrate with friends and family. Tim Mercier, son of founders Bill and Adele, as well as current CEO of Mercier Orchards, joked about the history of the establishment: “My mother’s philosophy was if she didn’t do it herself, it didn’t get done right. My dad’s philosophy (was), if you can’t hire it out, the hell with it.”

The Mercier family gave a heartfelt thank you to all of their supporters throughout the years.

Judge Amanda Mercier, granddaughter of Mercier Orchards founders, also joked, “My family believed that work ethic started the second you were basically born, and if anybody knew my grandmother, you know that.”

Amanda Mercier spoke of growing up as a child and working at the orchard: “I used to joke that I was going to grow up to be a child labor lawyer. I got real close.”

An emotional thank you came from Helen Mercier, daughter of Bill and Adele, who said, “My mom and dad would be so proud to see all of you here, to see these guys (indicating fellow family members and employees of Mercier Orchards) and see what a great job they have done. Thank you.”

Guests enjoyed live music from the Wolf Creek Bluegrass Band and cuisine provided by Mercier Orchards as they celebrated into the evening. Mercier Orchards will continue the festivities all year long with special events to commemorate 75 years of business.

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