Owned and operated by the Kobernik family for 41 years, North Star Organics has been working hard to produce only the highest quality fruit products possible.
Alan retired from his own construction/remodeling business, and continues to tend to his trusty sprayer, mowers, shakers and tractors. Always carefully tending the soil and trees, he is a master mechanic and just an all-around great guy!
Cheryl is a successful social worker slowly retiring, farm financial planner, mom, and public relations extraordinaire. U-pick is her favorite time of year – our customers are our real treasure!
Emily is a graduate of Carleton College, Tulane University, and University of Michigan for her PhD and currently works for the CDC Foundation as a Reproductive Health Epidemiologist. Emily can operate ANY piece of machinery and artistically enhances our farm in so many ways.
Eric received his bachelor's from Antioch & Earlham College and a master's in international business from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. Eric currently works as a Business Transformation Analyst at Verizon in Denver, Colorado. He is our trusty fork lift driver and can think through any issue on the farm.
Samantha is our wonderful great-niece who helps out on the farm every chance she gets! She graduated from Hope College spring 2026 and will head to Western Michigan University for her Master's degree in the fall 2026! A familiar face during our favorite time of year, she is always right there during U-Pick to welcome and assist our customers. She is an absolute treasure to her Great Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Alan. On top of being a natural problem solver and a creative head of the ship, Samantha is a social media extraordinaire, helping us share the spirit of the orchard with all of you.
Our newest addition to the Kobernik/North Star Organics group is Kyle Zawacki, as husband, brother-in-law, and son-in-law. There is not much that Kyle has not done on the farm or intends to do! Talented and proficient at many tools and always has a can-do attitude. Operates a mean chain saw, too.
