SHORELINES

Land near Lake Martin, just off state Highway 49, harbors a secret to many. A few miles from the lake, a 418-acre farm has sprung up, home to 37,000 thriving kiwi vines. Southeast Kiwi Farming Cooperative is the only golden kiwi fruit orchard in the U.S., and the only kiwi orchard east of the Rockies. Many people think the sweet fruit is grown in California or some exotic locale. However, the farm tucks neatly into Reeltown. "A lot of people don't realize we're at the back door of this small community," said Clint Wall, orchard manager and vice president. Wall manages the farm for Sun Pacific, a major fruit grower that owns and operates land across California. e company grows 50 percent of North America's kiwi, with plans to triple production by 2025. While Sun Pacific sells most of the fuzzy, green kiwis – the Hayward green – sold in the U.S., its Alabama farm raises the Golden Sunshine variety, with smooth, golden-brown skin. While California's heat and low humidity cause golden kiwi fruit to shrivel, Reeltown has all the makings to grow golden kiwis. With its high humidity, Alabama's climate mimics that of China, the fruit's homeland. e elevated topography and sandy soil in the east-central part of the state allow the plants to drain well. "is is our fih season, and some of our vines are going into production. I've only done one thing in my career, and that is growing kiwi," said Wall, who earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture and a master's degree in horticulture fruit and vegetable production from Auburn University. He performed research about kiwi fruit chilling requirements for his master's degree. "I got my growing experience in New Zealand, where I worked for nine years," Wall said. In New Zealand – whose people are called Kiwis – Wall worked for a private orchard and a major pack house. "Kiwi fruit is a small world," he said. "e first introduction I had to Sun Pacific was in New Zealand, when the company came for a tour of the farm where I worked. I showed them around a couple of days. Later, when this project grew legs, they remembered me. I put my hand up. I was ready to come home to Alabama." Shoppers can find golden kiwis at Publix, Whole Foods and Sam's Wholesale. Wall said that golden kiwi is a niche market, concentrating on exports. Long term, the company's goal is to enter the Japanese marketplace, where kiwis are enormously popular for their use in pavlova smoothies. A mixture of egg whites and sugar – with a decorative topping of kiwi – pavlova is enjoyed for its delicious taste and as a healthy dessert. Southeast Kiwi Farming Cooperative will begin harvesting in late August. Its golden kiwis come to market in the fall and will be available from September through December. 5 www.apcshorelines.com

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