Doug England: Resilience and Change Across a Lifetime of Farming, Family and Politics

On this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, Russ McClellan and Nicole Turner sit down with a true pillar of the Manson and Lake Chelan Valley community — Doug England.Doug graduated from Manson High School in 1965 and has spent a lifetime helping shape the future of agriculture, local government, and the community he calls home. From serving 45 years as Manager of Manson Growers to serving three terms as a Chelan County Commissioner, Doug has witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation of farming, land use, and rural life in North Central Washington.His family's roots run deep. His grandmother was stockholder number one of Manson Growers, and Doug's story stretches back generations, from grandparents who traveled west from Missouri to establish a new life, to the challenges his own family faced after his father's devastating helicopter accident when Doug was just 14 years old.In this fascinating conversation, Doug shares stories of growing up in a large farming family, attending Washington State University, serving as an Army officer after ROTC, and returning home to dedicate his life to agriculture. He takes us through the evolution of the apple industry—from the days of hand lines, ladders, and 100 trees per acre, to today's high-density orchards with thousands of trees per acre and investment costs that can exceed $70,000 per acre to establish.We discuss the rich history of Manson Growers, the realities of supply and demand in agriculture, overproduction, variety changes, and the technology that has reshaped the industry. Doug also offers a candid perspective on government regulations, growth management, land-use planning, and what he describes as the "death by a thousand cuts" that many farmers face as layers of rules and regulations continue to accumulate.Most importantly, Doug reflects on the resilience required to survive in farming, where year after year families often faced uncertainty about whether they could continue working the land they loved. Through stories of hardship, perseverance, faith, and community, Doug reminds us why farming has always been more than a business—it's a way of life.With 25 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, a lifetime of public service, and decades of agricultural leadership, Doug England brings a unique perspective that spans generations.This is a conversation about history, family, farming, government, faith, common sense, and the future of rural America.