Rhoda Byler—A young Amish woman who is skilled in horticulture and struggles to suppress the God-given insights she receives. Before her fruit garden was destroyed, her canning products were carried by stores in several states under the label Rhode Side Stands.
Samuel King—Loyal and determined, he is the eldest of three sons, and he’s been responsible for the success of Kings’ Orchard since he was a young teen.
Jacob King—Irrepressible and accepting, he is the middle King brother. He began courting Rhoda a few months before the opening of The Winnowing Season.
Leah King—At seventeen she’s the eldest King daughter and moves to Maine with her brothers Samuel and Jacob to establish a new orchard.
Eli King—The youngest of the King brothers. He remains on the farm in Pennsylvania.
Benjamin King—The father of Samuel, Jacob, Eli, Leah, and their two younger sisters, Katie and Betsy. He runs the family’s dairy farm.
Mervin King—Benjamin’s brother. He’s an Old Order Amish preacher in Lancaster.
Karl Byler—Rhoda and Steven’s father.
Steven Byler—Rhoda’s brother who moves to Maine to help found the new Amish community.
Phoebe Byler—Steven’s wife.
Isaac Byler—Steven and Phoebe’s four-year-old son.
Arie Byler—Steven and Phoebe’s two-year-old daughter.
Emma Byler—Rhoda’s younger sister, who was murdered almost three years ago.
Catherine Troyer—Samuel’s former girlfriend and Arlan’s sister.
Arlan Troyer—Leah’s friend and Catherine’s brother.
Landon Olson—A single, non-Amish man who has worked as Rhoda’s assistant and driver for several years.
Erlene Olson—Landon’s grandmother, who lives in Unity, Maine.
Rueben Glick—He destroyed Rhoda’s fruit garden in book one, A Season for Tending.
Urie Glick—Rhoda’s bishop and Rueben’s uncle.
David Yoder—Samuel’s bishop.