Aloha Studley! By Reggie Ellis Sun-Gazette

Orville Studley may not sound like someone who has spent much time in Hawaii, but that’s where he grows his coffee.

Local entrepreneur, Gregory Thompson, owner of Orville Studley’s brand products, just returned home from the big island of Hawaii after receiving his 2nd place award in the 11th Annual Keauhou Resort Kona Coffee Label competition. The competition was held during the 40th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The 12-day festival celebrates the history and heritage of the two district area where Kona coffee is grown on the Island of Hawaii.

“Winning this award is a big honor and we are very proud of the great job Kona coffee growers do producing the finest coffee in the world,” said Thompson of his city roast of Kona coffee. “The Orville Studley’s brand is bringing the 100% Kona coffee experience to the U.S. mainland via agriculture education students from FFA chapters and their members that have partnered with Orville Studley’s fundraising programs.”

The label was designed by local artist Bill Crenshaw of Visalia-based Sutter Creek Advertising, Inc. Crenshaw also designed the original Orville Studley’s logo and the Orville Studley’s beef jerky labels. Sutter Creek Advertising offers a variety of graphic design services including logo design, studio and on-site commercial photography, commercial art, brochures, advertising and website design. For more information about Crenshaw, visit www.suttercreekadvertising.com.

After years of selling his Orville Studley’s beef jerky in Three Rivers, Thompson entered into the U.S. coffee business in January 2010 after forming an alliance with 4th generation Kona coffee grower Tommy Greenwell of Greenwell Farms. Thompson said he was introduced to Greenwell by a mutual friend, and Greenwell liked the idea of supporting local FFA chapters.

“You wouldn’t want FFA students selling coffee from Mexico,” Thompson said. “This coffee is 100% grown in America.”

Orville Studley’s unique partnerships support FFA chapters on a grassroots level. At its website, www.orvillestudleys.com, you can credit an FFA chapter of your choice with each on-line purchase allowing chapters to raise funds year around.

Thompson said the name Orville Studley actually comes from a real person who used to live in Three Rivers. Thompson said he get the man’s approval to use his name, but the real Studley did not live long enough to see the brand materialize. The character has been simmering in Thompson’s mind for many years, but it wasn’t until he came to Three Rivers when he found the right name for his 19th century rambling cowboy with simple beginnings as the son of a Missouri farmer who came to California during the Gold Rush seeking a new adventure. Ironically, one of Studley’s concocted adventures included meeting the last monarch of Hawaii, long before Thompson knew he would be selling coffee from there.

“He’s like a character you would find in a Mark Twain novel,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s tagline is: “American coffee consumers can support American farmers and American education while stimulating the U.S. economy one cup of ‘PARADISE’ at a time!”

Orville Studley’s also makes four kinds of beef jerky n Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Teriyaki and Original. For more information on Orville Studley’s contact Gregory Thompson at 679-0719 or send e-mail to Gregory@orvillestudleys.com. Mahalo.