James Rutledge Cummins

James Rutledge Cummins, 74, died at home on March 19, 2025, the last day of winter. James loved this world fiercely, and it was hard for him to leave it. Born on July 9, 1950, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to James Nelson and Lucinda Firebaugh Cummins, James was the oldest of five siblings. He was a sixth-generation orchardist who lived life to the fullest. His heart was huge and his generosity unrestrained, his enthusiasm was contagious, and his ability to see and believe in people was impactful.

James found a calling in farming at an early age at both his grandfather’s orchard in Dix, Illinois, and his own father’s orchard in Cobden, Illinois. James could drive a spray rig and prune an apple tree at an early age.

He could fix anything, build anything, and grow anything. He and his family moved to Geneva, NY, when James was in high school. After attending Southern Illinois University and Cornell University, James started Cummins Mittak Nursery, growing custom order apple trees, as well as trees for his future farm. In 1972, when James was 22, he bought his own farm in Newfield, NY. The 60-acre Littletree Orchards was suited perfectly for growing fruit trees. He and his family and co-workers planted tens of thousands of fruit trees and eventually bought 150-acres of adjacent tracts of farmland. James was a visionary in pursuing a u-pick model for his orchard, aimed at the Ithaca market. Under his expertise and leadership, Littletree Orchards grew in both size and reputation over the course of the next few decades, becoming a well-known destination for Ithaca residents.

James was also instrumental in building the Ithaca Farmers’ Market at Steamboat Landing, and in 2002, James helped to open Eve’s Cidery with Autumn Stoscheck. Shortly after that, he sustained a traumatic brain injury, spending three weeks in a coma, which forced him into “retirement.” However, James never stopped farming, continuing his life’s work of growing apples, as Eve’s Cidery expanded. James gave his life to agriculture, but to him that work went way beyond the simple act of growing food for people. For James, farming was a devotional act, partnering with his kin in the natural world in the co-creation of life. James was also an excellent teacher and mentor. His influence figured in the lives of his family as well as others, including many area farmers.

James was a charismatic man who was intense in whatever he did, whether it be work or play. He was a voracious reader before his traumatic brain injury, reading a novel a day even with a full orchard workload. His favorite apple was Northern Spy, and he ran on coffee, peanut butter, grit, and stubbornness.

James is survived by his 100-year-old father, Dr. James N. Cummins and his 98-year-old mother, Cindy Firebaugh Cummins; four younger siblings—John, Peter, and Stephen Cummins and sister Sarah Cummins Small— and their spouses; 11 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; his cousin Scott Cummins and family; and his best friend Autumn Stoscheck and her family (which was also his family) Ezra, Leila, and Zuri Sherman. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Nelson and Gladys Cummins and Creighton and Helen Firebaugh, and his beloved uncle and friend, Max Firebaugh.

A celebration of life will be held during apple blossom on Saturday May 17th at 4:30pm at 308 Beckhorn Hollow Rd, Van Etten, NY 14889.