In the 1880s, Courtland was home to two bustling train stations—one on the main line of the Rock Island Railroad and the other on the Santa Fe line. In 1918, a fire sparked by a burning livery stable swept across town, destroying the Rock Island Depot, which once stood where the CVA building is today.
For a time, a boxcar served as a temporary depot until 1919, when the Santa Fe depot was cut in half and moved two blocks south to the junction of the Rock Island and Santa Fe lines. To accommodate the needs of both railroads, a 20-foot section was added to the middle of the building, creating a hub for commerce and travel.
The depot was once a hive of activity, employing a telegraph operator, depot agent, clerk, and an outside switchboard operator. Up to 20 trains a day passed through on the Rock Island line—including the famous Rocket from Chicago to Denver—and five daily on the Santa Fe line.
Fast forward to 1988, when Dan began planting what is now known as the Depot Orchard, located at the corner of US 36 and K-199. Throughout the 1990s, Dan farmed both the Depot Orchard and the Applematic Orchard four miles north. Over time, changing habits around canning and preserving, along with unpredictable weather like hail and frost, impacted apple growing. As interest in local apples declined, Dan diversified by adding vegetables, watermelons, and cantaloupes to the farm. These crops soon outpaced apple sales.
By 2003, farming at the Applematic Orchard had ceased, and soon after, the Depot Orchard was mostly bulldozed—though a few trees remain as a reminder of those early days. Our wholesale and retail business continues to grow, along with the need for a reliable workforce. Since 2007, we have participated in the H2A program, which allows foreign workers to legally join us for planting and harvesting. We also employ high school and college students to help during peak seasons.
Today, the Depot Market stands as a proud continuation of Courtland’s rich agricultural and railroad heritage, committed to serving our community with fresh, locally grown produce.
Our team is proud to serve our community with fresh products and friendly service. Meet some of the people who make it all happen every day.
Dan and Kathy’s journey began with a simple passion. With a degree in crop management and a love for orchards sparked during his college years, Dan set out to grow apples of his own. When an opportunity came up to manage an old orchard just north of Courtland, it felt like the perfect fit—and the start of something bigger.
Not long after, Dan purchased a small piece of land at the corner of Highway 36 and Courtland Road. One day, while driving through town, he spotted the old train depot and knew it was exactly where he wanted to sell his apples. In April of 1985, the depot was moved to its current location, thanks to a true community effort. Friends and neighbors pitched in to scrape and repaint the exterior, while Robert Nutsch and others helped transform the inside. By August 1985, the Depot officially opened its doors—rooted in hard work, local support, and a love for the land.
Mark is originally from Wichita and first came to the farm in the summer of 2014 during a break from Benedictine College. He worked alongside the usual group of high school and college students helping out with summer tasks. In August of that year, Mark asked if he could stay and work through the fall harvest instead of returning to school — a busy time when extra hands were always welcome.
After completing the harvest, he returned home for the winter but came back to the farm in spring 2015 and has been an essential part of the team ever since.
In 2016, Mark married Emilee Strecker, who is also from Wichita, and together they have become key figures in the farm’s future. The farming operation is gradually being transitioned to Mark and Emilee as they take on more leadership and responsibility.
Mark’s passion for apple growing was sparked in 2018 during a visit to an orchard in eastern Kansas. Since the farm originally began with an apple orchard, it was a natural fit for Dan to agree to plant a new one. Dan joked, “You’re not the first 20-something guy in Republic County to want to plant an orchard.”
In 2019, the farm planted its first trees using a modern high-density system, quite different from the traditional trees planted in the 1980s. This system uses a trellis to support full dwarf trees planted closely together, allowing for earlier fruit production, easier maintenance, and higher yields.
The orchard produced its first crop in 2021, marking a joyful milestone as families once again came to pick fresh apples right from the trees. Mark’s dedication to the farm and vision for its growth have helped continue the Depot Market’s legacy of local agriculture and community connection.
As the Depot grew beyond apples, so did the need for a strong, dedicated field team. That’s when we joined the H-2A program, which allows workers from other countries to legally come and work for a specified time. Before getting started, we talked with other growers who were already using the program, and it didn’t take long to see the value. Many of our crew members come from Michoacán, Mexico, and have returned year after year—becoming a trusted part of our operation. New faces are often sons, relatives, or friends of longtime workers, creating a close-knit team that feels more like family than staff.
Each season, The Depot welcomes a dedicated team of workers made up of high school students, retirees, and individuals looking to earn some extra income. These team members play a vital role in helping the store run smoothly — whether it’s checking out customers at the register, keeping shelves stocked, or assisting wherever needed.
If you’re interested in joining our seasonal team, give Kathy a call at 785-374-4255 to apply.
The Depot Market has fresh produce, local favorites, and market finds you’ve been waiting for. We can’t wait to see you!
