Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2024 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Kait Thornton — Fourth-generation orchardist and social media maven
Kait Thornton, aka “Apple Girl,” has built up quite a strong presence on social media from TikTok to Instagram with more than 500,000 followers across her many platforms. Thornton discusses with her followers about what farming is really like in a fun and engaging way.
It’s a natural fit for the fourth-generation orchardist from Tonasket, Wash., who recently graduated from Washington State University with a degree in marketing. Thornton’s passion for agriculture is infectious.
“I feel that a lot of people have lost their faith in our food supply, assuming it is an over-mechanized and impersonal industry,” she said. “I know that is far from the truth, so I shed light on the incredible sophistication, intention and heart behind the food produced in our nation.”
How did you get the nickname “The Apple Girl?”
When I first started making videos, it was a bit scattered — though it’s not like I have changed much — and though I was only 17 or so, I did realize many of the creators I follow as the “ … guy” or the “girl who … ,” so when a few of my followers would comment and say, “Oh hey, it’s the apple girl,” I started introducing myself as The Apple Girl.
At the same time, I was selling fruit to several towns near me and my customers would see me out and about and greet me with “Oh hey, it’s the apple girl.”
I later changed my [social media] handles to “Apple Girl Kait” so people would remember what they followed me for and also learn my name.
What makes a good social media post?
There’s no secret formula, but there are some things I find that certainly help.
A good hook: [When recording], don’t press play, pause and then start to talk. You want to almost be talking before you hit record, so your viewer feels they need to catch up.
Good lighting: Phones are sophisticated enough that viewers shouldn’t have to struggle to see or hear you.
Finally, energy: If you’re not interested in what you’re talking about, the more-perceptive-than-ever consumer base will most likely not be interested either.
Why is it important for the fresh produce industry and growers to share what they do on social media?
I could go on forever about this, but the bottom line is it’s maximizing the arguably biggest strength we have over other industries — and that is real, whole products; real people; and constant efforts to make real positive impacts on the world.
Food has a deep-rooted connection to people. We are all connected to agriculture in some sense. If we can bring out that emotion by telling our stories and listening to [comments from our followers], that results in better understanding for our consumers. Economically, people will choose to spend their dollars on our industry and have more confidence in where their dollars are going.
Has anything been surprising to you since you’ve started posting on TikTok and other social media platforms?
People appreciate details and learning about agriculture, but in my comments I get more of people sharing their own experiences related to the topic of the video — which I love because it isn’t just one-sided for me; it’s a conversation and a connection with substance.
On the other hand, personally, I was definitely not expecting this to become my main source of income, so that has brought on a very cool lifestyle IMO (in my opinion).
Do you have any social media tips for our readers?
This is not the ’80s when people all over the nation are getting their entertainment from all of the same sources. There are millions of videos being made daily. If you choose to put out content, don’t worry so much about who is watching, focus on if you are putting the energy and substance behind the content you intend.
Also, just be a good consumer. Just like anything else, to have a good product you need to see what is already working. Be intentional as you’re scrolling [through social media] and think “What about this person’s video made me interact? What made me stop scrolling?”
Take that [observation] and turn it around to what you’re interested in sharing — “How can I do that to make other people interact with my content?”
