In 95% of the orchard our growing program is “Low Spray”. What this actually means is that I’ve taken the more than 30 years of my experience growing apples from conventional to organic and everything inbetween and come up with an ever changing approach to apple growing that both allows me to stay in business, and continue to provide the most ecologically friendly, safe eating and cooking apples.
I wish the whole orchard could be organic. I’ve spent many years trying, but I have yet to find a way of making it sustainable. The organic section of the orchard is where I experiment every year with new ideas, new apple varieties and any number of new pest management programs. The last few years we’ve been experimenting with our soil health and working with the company Biplantol USA. They have products that include a homeopathic foliar spray and micro organisms.
Early apples include Paula Reds and Jersey Macs. During the season, we also have McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Liberty, Mutzu (Crispin), Macoun, Fuji, Gala, and Hubbardton Nonesuch. Antique apples include Northern Spy, Cox Orange Pippen, Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Spartan, and Tolman Sweet. Different apples ripen at different times, so feel free to call and see what’s perfect for picking!
In 1997, we received the first annual “Sustainable Agriculture Farm of the Year” award. This award was sponsored by the Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Round Table, with representatives from NOFA Vermont, Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Women’s Agricultural Network, and the Vermont Department of Agriculture. It was an honor to receive this praise from the governor. Part of the criteria is our commitment to the development of low spray, organic practices, and the educational programs we’ve provided throughout the state.
The Crew.
Most of the ’08 Crew
Back row: Mickey, Nick, Kim, Keenan, Patrick, Tina, Megan, Terry, Ian
Front row: Mike, Tristan, Jackie, Rob
About Us
