Marvin Lively is a 2^nd generation farmer. His father started out growing cabbage, as they were his favorite crop. After many years, he was no longer able to perform the labor of planting, cutting, and packing. Apples seemed to be an ideal option as he could tend the trees standing up. Marvin eventually purchased his own piece of property, and started planting apple trees in the 1960s using cuts from his father’s trees. Marvin now owns 50 acres of apple trees bearing about 12 varieties.

Marvin works with the NCSU Mountain Research Center to use safer and fewer pesticides and to introduce non-chemical pest reduction methods into his production.

Most recently, Marvin’s daughter Stephanie has returned to the farm. Stephanie is learning from her dad to eventually carry on the farming legacy he has built.