“Applegirlkait”: Washington Entrepreneur Sells Americans on Apples and Pears

Washington fruit grower and social media personality Kait Thornton, known online as “Applegirlkait,” is using her platform to highlight both the challenges and opportunities in apple and pear farming. A fourth-generation farmer from Tonasket, Thornton manages orchards that grow apples, pears, and apricots while navigating shifting consumer demand, labor shortages, and volatile markets. Despite these challenges, she continues to invest heavily in crops and shares the realities of farming online. With over half a million followers across TikTok and Instagram, she hopes to bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers.