A Historic Manassas Farmers Market Vendor Spotlight
At first glance, the rows of gleaming apples, sun-kissed peaches, and jars of apple butter on the Frazier Fruit Farm stand might seem like the work of a large operation. But step behind the booth, and you’ll find a family-run, 18-acre farm powered by grit, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality. Isaac and Lisa Frazier’s farm in south-central Pennsylvania, about two hours from Manassas, highlights what appreciation for the land and hard work can produce.
Innovation Meets Tradition
The Fraziers manage orchards spread across land they’ve purchased, leased, and even just recently expanded through their acquisition of Yellow Hill Farm. Their apples, ranging from classic Honeycrisp to exciting new varieties like Maia Mitchell and Ludacrisp, are grown using a high-density planting method called the tall spindle system. This allows them to maintain thousands of smaller, more manageable trees, making harvests more efficient while improving fruit quality.
The family’s efforts go well beyond the orchard rows. On HMI’s farm visit day to Frazier Fruit Farm, chickens were seen roaming, cold storage units were in action, and rows of future crops, like cherry trees and berry patches, just getting established. They even have a pick-your-own flower patch in the works, planted with care using plastic sheeting and a drip irrigation system.
A Hands-On, Family-Run Operation
Lisa and Isaac, along with their six children, handle everything themselves. From pruning and pest management to grafting new trees and thinning peach blossoms by hand, their days are long and deeply hands-on. When asked what they wish marketgoers knew about their work, Isaac’s answer was simple: “It’s a family operation. We spray as little as possible and do everything we can to deliver good, clean fruit.”
That thoughtful approach extends to pest control, where they rely on weather stations and data-driven strategies instead of blanket spraying. They monitor for pests like coddling moths using pheromone traps and adjust spray timing based on conditions that could trigger diseases like apple scab. “I don’t like herbicides,” Isaac told us. “So, we do a lot of spot spraying. It might not look perfect, but it’s better for the land.”
From the Farm to the Market
And the fruit? It speaks for itself. The apples are crisp and sweet, the cider deeply refreshing, and their apple butter, preserves, and applesauce are fan favorites at the market. With on-site cold storage, the Fraziers are able to stretch their harvest well beyond the season and offer value-added products that keep customers coming back for more.
As the farm continues to grow, both in acreage and offerings, the Fraziers hope to bring even more berries, flowers, and possibly livestock into the fold. For now, they remain a staple at the Historic Manassas Farmers Market, where their fruit tells the story of a farm rooted in tradition and growing with purpose.
When you visit the Frazier Fruit Farm stand at the market, chances are one of the Frazier kids will be there helping, always ready with a smile and a friendly greeting. It’s a heartwarming reminder that this truly is a family-run farm, where the connection from field to market is not just a phrase, but a lived experience.
To follow along for all the fruit updates and life at the farm, visit their website here or check out @frazierfruitfarm on Instagram.
By Brooke Wiseman, MS, RDN, LDN, a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems. Follow on IG @onechancenutrition
