Alan & Christine Riley

To say that Alan Riley has a unique knack for connecting with people is an understatement! He always has time for anyone and everyone, including kids running roadside lemonade stands, and he can carry on a sincere conversation with the best of them! We're sure that there has never been a more dedicated, silly, and fun-loving Grandfather than Alan!

Christine is the guiding star of our family. She enjoys doing professional accounting work in her spare time, and serving as President of our local school board. She is extremely talented at creating beautiful quilts as well as making grandchildren feel loved and super special!

Alan learned the art of farming from his father, Howard, who had worked long and hard to establish Riley Orchards here in Payson. Those lessons from his youth never deserted Alan, even as he left the land to serve a two-year mission in Taiwan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The time he spent in Taiwan, and the people he met there, remain dear to his memory and heart.

Upon returning home, Alan attended Brigham Young University to study business finance, and it was there that Alan finally talked the talented and lovely Christine into marrying him.

Alan later received his Bachelor of Corporate Finance Degree, and Christine a Bachelor of Accountancy degree, and together they returned to their roots to start a farm of their own. 

Fruit farming by nature is extremely volatile, and for the Rileys, this profession has been filled with plenty of ups and downs. However, the farm provided a good way of life for their growing family, and if asked, each member will tell you that the experiences gained and lessons learned working together are priceless.

The farm helped Christine and Alan raise five good men and one exceptional woman, who also hold dear the precious memories of working the farm as youth. Now as adults, they love to bring their own children back to enjoy this cherished piece of ground known as the Riley Orchards. 

Christopher & Krystal Riley

Just like his father, Christopher has always had farming in his veins. He eats, breathes, and sleeps all things FARM! As a very young child, he was regularly found intently riding along on the forklift, tractor, or truck to haul fruit to the Co-Op or “help” with whatever work needed to be done. Throughout his elementary years, Christopher would come home from school and immediately call his Dad on the CB radio to come get him! As he grew, Christopher proved to be an important part of the team and always stayed focused on following his dream to continue the Riley farming legacy. 

Christopher served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, teaching many beloved people in Guatemala about Jesus Christ’s restored church, and later returned to attend college at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. There, he met and fell in love with his soon-to-be wife, Krystal. Despite his extremely rigorous course schedule, working two demanding jobs, and doing his best to keep Krystal interested in him, Christopher earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in...of course...Agricultural Systems and Agribusiness.

Krystal had previously attended Southern Utah University in her Cedar City hometown and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and botany. She took a job overseeing the laboratory at the Circle Four Farms feedmill for several years before venturing on to USU to find the man of her dreams. In between dates with Christopher, she managed to stay focused just enough to complete her Master of Science degree in Agriculture Systems.

Krystal and Chris graduated together in the spring of 2011 and were married as soon as harvest was done in late November! Together, they are excited and well equipped to carry on the family business. They have enjoyed eleven years of working the farm and growing a family together. Their number one priority and passion is raising their four children with a sincere love of others, of God, our country, family, and agriculture.

Rafael Bedolla

Known far and wide for his knowledge, skill, and kind smile, Rafael is the Foreman at Riley Farms, and an indispensable member of our team and farm family. As a young man, he began working with (Grandpa) Howard Riley in 1978, and over the next 24 years, became his right-hand man. He left the farm for other pastures once Howard retired, but remained close with the family, even speaking at Howard’s funeral years later. We were lucky enough to get Rafael back as foreman of the farm in 2012, where he continues to do amazing work. He is uniquely talented with plants—and with people—and it shows when harvest time comes, whether it be produce or friends! To know Rafael is to love him; he is a wealth of knowledge and always enjoyable to be around. Come visit him at the U-Pick Garden; he'll plant a smile on your face and kindness in your heart!