Paulus Orchard

By Mikayla Ickes and Hunter Hill

 Family-owned farm and agri-tourism orchard in Dillsburg, PA bought and
established in 1999 by Dan and Karen Paulus

Produce: apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, strawberries, blueberries,

blackberries, seasonal vegetables

Activities: PlayLand, corn maze, pick-your-own fruit, educational tours, cooking

classes, festivals
 Paulus’ Organization
Dan Paulus Karen Paulus

Farm Managers: Kitchen Managers:

Robert Blaney Store Manager:
Pat Seebold
Andrew Settle Alison Harper
Cynthia Huth

Farm Staff Kitchen Staff Store Staff Outdoor Staff

 Organizational Communication Processes
● Downward
○ Mass email
○ Text
○ Whiteboard
● Upward
○ Email
○ Text
● Lateral
○ Staff Facebook page
○ Text
○ Working the same shifts
■ Grapevine free apple incident
 Career Fundamentals
● Hiring Process
○ Application through website
○ Group Audition
● Trained for one position to start
○ Indoor and Outdoor
○ Raises each year
● When to Work
○ Online scheduling
● No performance appraisals
○ Strike System
Communication Products
● Email
○ Customers - Weekly Newsletter
○ Employees - Updates
■ Respond back to ensure workers read it
● Instagram
○ Promotions and fun facts
○ Run by an employee
● Thank you cards
○ Discount program
● Facebook
○ Customers - Promote events
○ Employees - Sharing everyday life
● Website
○ Main source for public information
○ Staff training videos
Recommendations
★ Paulus focuses on team dynamic and compatibility to make sure that they
are providing a family friendly and inviting environment

● Hire/promote shift managers

○ Helps avoid communication barriers
● Staff meetings
○ More direct line of communication
○ Remove possibility for communication barriers
● Individual appraisals - especially for year round employees
○ Help personal growth
■ Goal building, professional development, etc.