Advertisement paid for by Reliance Bank Slow Peach Season Won't Slow Down Local Orchard BY APRIL REILLY David and Marlene Martin stand with their two daughters outside their orchard at Peach Hill Orchard in Martinsburg. Peach season is just around the corner, yet Central Pennsylvania may face a scarcity of peaches this year due to unfavorable weather conditions experienced over the past winter. "A lot of peaches froze somewhat," David Martin, the owner of Peach Hill Orchard in Martinsburg. "Some areas have a better crop than others, but overall, peaches will be limited this year." explains Typically, peach season in Central Pennsylvania begins in late July and lasts through August, with local orchards expecting to see a burst of peach-flavored delights. a David Martin took over Peach Hill Orchard from his father five years ago, continuing a family tradition that has turned the orchard into community staple for several decades. While the orchard's name reflects the peach trees perched on a hill along Curryville Road, they are far from the only offerings available at the farm. "My dad began growing strawberries and various produce back in 1972," David recalls. What started as a humble one- man operation selling strawberries by the roadside has evolved into a bustling store stocked with fresh produce, meats, and baked goods. "We grow sweet corn, strawberries, peaches, asparagus, and hydroponic lettuce and tomatoes, says Martin. "Other items come from local farmers, which we purchase and resell." The hydroponic system enables the Martin family to grow lettuce and tomatoes indoors, their all the time. The tomatoes are available from mid-March to August." Despite the demands of managing the store, farm, and orchard, Martin is always looking for ways to improve upon the foundation his father laid. Currently, he is in at the process of upgrading from a manual checkout system to touch-screen monitors, aimed expediting the customer checkout experience. As he makes adjustments to the store and the farm, Martin keeps his trusted banker informed. "We have a great relationship with Reliance Bank," he says. "What I appreciate is that it's not a large national bank. When I work with Valerie Detwiler at our local office, she has more influence than she might at a big corporation." Reliance Bank specializes in agricultural lending. employing bankers who understand the intricacies of farming because they come from farming backgrounds themselves. "Living and working in the area where I was raised and where I am raising my own family has allowed me the opportunity to forge relationships that have been very beneficial to my customer base," says Valerie Detwiler, Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Banker II. "So much about being in business is about working together with people who you can trust and rely on." With offices throughout Blair Counties, and Centre Reliance Bank's services adapt to meet customers' needs, no matter where they might extending availability throughout be. the year. "We harvest "We're excited about the lettuce year-round, recent addition ensuring a fresh supply Krystal Wasson, Vice President, Commercial Banker II, to our team earlier this year," said Cory Tubo, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer. "Her experience is helping us to expand our services and better serve our customers throughout Centre County and beyond." As peach season approaches and yields may fall short, farmers like Martin have a reliable support system to rely on. "Peaches are still a big focus for us," David asserts. "They've done well for us in previous years, and hopefully, they will again next year." RELIANCE BANK Real People. Real Progress. Minding your business is what we do best. Small Business Loans Commercial Loans Agricultural Loans Cash Management Checking/Savings Contact a member of our Commercial Banking Team today! 1-800-570-0876 reliancebank.bank MEMBER of LENDER FDIC Advertisement paid for by Reliance Bank Slow Peach Season Won't Slow Down Local Orchard BY APRIL REILLY David and Marlene Martin stand with their two daughters outside their orchard at Peach Hill Orchard in Martinsburg . Peach season is just around the corner , yet Central Pennsylvania may face a scarcity of peaches this year due to unfavorable weather conditions experienced over the past winter . " A lot of peaches froze somewhat , " David Martin , the owner of Peach Hill Orchard in Martinsburg . " Some areas have a better crop than others , but overall , peaches will be limited this year . " explains Typically , peach season in Central Pennsylvania begins in late July and lasts through August , with local orchards expecting to see a burst of peach - flavored delights . a David Martin took over Peach Hill Orchard from his father five years ago , continuing a family tradition that has turned the orchard into community staple for several decades . While the orchard's name reflects the peach trees perched on a hill along Curryville Road , they are far from the only offerings available at the farm . " My dad began growing strawberries and various produce back in 1972 , " David recalls . What started as a humble one- man operation selling strawberries by the roadside has evolved into a bustling store stocked with fresh produce , meats , and baked goods . " We grow sweet corn , strawberries , peaches , asparagus , and hydroponic lettuce and tomatoes , says Martin . " Other items come from local farmers , which we purchase and resell . " The hydroponic system enables the Martin family to grow lettuce and tomatoes indoors , their all the time . The tomatoes are available from mid - March to August . " Despite the demands of managing the store , farm , and orchard , Martin is always looking for ways to improve upon the foundation his father laid . Currently , he is in at the process of upgrading from a manual checkout system to touch - screen monitors , aimed expediting the customer checkout experience . As he makes adjustments to the store and the farm , Martin keeps his trusted banker informed . " We have a great relationship with Reliance Bank , " he says . " What I appreciate is that it's not a large national bank . When I work with Valerie Detwiler at our local office , she has more influence than she might at a big corporation . " Reliance Bank specializes in agricultural lending . employing bankers who understand the intricacies of farming because they come from farming backgrounds themselves . " Living and working in the area where I was raised and where I am raising my own family has allowed me the opportunity to forge relationships that have been very beneficial to my customer base , " says Valerie Detwiler , Senior Vice President , Senior Commercial Banker II . " So much about being in business is about working together with people who you can trust and rely on . " With offices throughout Blair Counties , and Centre Reliance Bank's services adapt to meet customers ' needs , no matter where they might extending availability throughout be . the year . " We harvest " We're excited about the lettuce year - round , recent addition ensuring a fresh supply Krystal Wasson , Vice President , Commercial Banker II , to our team earlier this year , " said Cory Tubo , Senior Vice President , Chief Commercial Banking Officer . " Her experience is helping us to expand our services and better serve our customers throughout Centre County and beyond . " As peach season approaches and yields may fall short , farmers like Martin have a reliable support system to rely on . " Peaches are still a big focus for us , " David asserts . " They've done well for us in previous years , and hopefully , they will again next year . " RELIANCE BANK Real People . Real Progress . Minding your business is what we do best . Small Business Loans Commercial Loans Agricultural Loans Cash Management Checking / Savings Contact a member of our Commercial Banking Team today ! 1-800-570-0876 reliancebank.bank MEMBER of LENDER FDIC