Who We Are
Henry, Ally, Cynthia, Henry, Ruth, Henry "Huff", Judy, Lizzy, Sarah
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The Chiles Family
Henry the 10th, Henry the 8th, and Henry "Huff" the 9th.
Five generations of farmers born and raised in Central Virginia
Mountain Grown Since 1912
Crown Orchard Company is one of Central Virginia’s most prolific fruit growers, boasting seven major orchards spread over a 15-mile radius. Owned and operated by the Chiles family, the company has many acres of peaches, nectarines, and apples.
Crown Orchard is a major wholesale supplier for the region, thanks in part to a state-of-the-art packing facility located in Covesville, Virginia and a full-year staff.
The company also owns and operates Carter Mountain Orchard, Chiles Peach Orchard, and Spring Valley Orchard.
A Family Tradition
The Chiles family has owned and operated Crown Orchard since the year 1912. That means that five generations of family members have literally had their hands in building not only one of the area’s most successful fruit wholesaling businesses…but some of its greatest traditions as well.
Today the family, including Ruth & Henry, Cynthia, Sarah, Huff & Judy, Lizzy, Ally & Henry, continue this remarkable record of commitment to the community…and look forward to serving it for generations to come.
It's a family tradition
Henry Chiles (the 8th)
Owner/Sales
Henry took over the family business at a very young age when his father passed away. He was always active with the farm before that and there was never a question that he would continue on and take Crown Orchard into the future! He has devoted his entire life to agriculture and making sure Crown Orchard maintained its roots while moving towards the future!
Ruth Chiles
Henry's wife, Head of Retail Operations
Ruth worked alongside Henry since before they were married 60 years ago! On a particular bad year where the weather froze out most of the crop, Henry asked Ruth if she thought she could sell some peaches on the side of the road. Ruth told him she would do her best! 30-40 years later, that first start is now Chiles Peach Orchard on Jarman Gap Road in Crozet! Ruth put everything she had into raising her 3 children and building a retail operation! Ruth loved to stop by and visit the fruit stand and visit with old friends. Sadly, Ruth passed away July of 2021. She will be greatly missed but her spirit lives on in all aspects of Crown Orchard!
Ruth Eliza Dollens Chiles
September 20, 1933 - July 30, 2021
Judy Chiles
Office Manager, Huff's Wife
Judy runs our main office! If that job wasn't tough enough, she also has the job of trying to keep Huff and Henry straight! Judy and Huff met at VA Tech (Go Hokies!) and were married after graduating. Later she began working in the office and has ever since. It wasn't a surprise to see her at the office with three little ones in tow!
Henry Chiles (the 10th)
Farm Management
"Young" Henry has followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps pretty much since the day he was born. He has always had an interest in the orchards and as he grew older he too knew that one day he would be carrying on his great, great grandfather's legacy. Henry is a graduate of Va Tech (Go Hokies!)! He works with his father managing the field operations, scouting, planting trees, driving tractors, and learning as much as he can.
Henry married Emily in 2024 and they are now raising the next generation of farmers with their daughter Eliza!
Ally Whitmer
Agritainment
Ally was the manager at Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet for several years. She is now in charge of our Agritainment and special projects division! Ally is no stranger to working in our retail operations. Growing up she spent many summers and fall weekends working at both the Peach Orchard and Carter Mountain. After several years working in hospitality outside the family business, she decided to come home and follow in her "Grammy's" (Ruth) footsteps!
Ally married Kevin Whitmer in 2022, and they are now raising the next generation of farmers with their daughters Shelby and Kinsley!
Cynthia Chiles
Retail Operations
Cynthia, has worked in the family business from a very young age. She remembers vividly her first big job working as a grader on the packing line! Though farming has always been in her blood and heart, she worked outside the family business for a long time in the travel industry. She later returned home to help her mother run the family's retail operations. Since her mother retired, Cynthia has cared for and cultivated the original vision her mother, Ruth, had when she started our first roadside market with a card table, folding chair and a cigar box.
Henry "Huff" Chiles (the 9th)
Farm Operations
Huff runs the entire Farm operation alongside his father and son. Truly a family run business! Huff started out working in the orchard before he was barely able to walk! Growing up in the family business, Huff knew this was his path in life. He strives hard to keep Crown on the forefront by carefully selecting what varieties to plant and growing the best possible fruit.
Huff graduated from VA Tech ( Go Hokies!) even though his father is a die hard UVA fan!
Sarah Chiles
Quality Control/Food Safety
Sarah too worked in the family business while growing up. She remembers her first job on the packing line at age 6, sitting on a field crate sealing the bags of apples after they were packed.
Sarah went on to teach elementary school for 25 years before returning home to work with the family. She focuses on Quality Control both in the packing house and in the orchard, helping run the packing line, and working with the food safety team.
Lizzy Chiles Davis
Accounts Payable/ Special Projects
Lizzy worked the retail side of the business for many years when she was younger. After college she worked several other jobs in many different industries, cultivating a wide range of skills and perspective that she now utilizes in her role at Crown Orchard alongside her other family members. Lizzy married Jordan Davis (who also works for the family) in 2024, and they are now raising the next generation of farmers with their daughter Valerie!