August, 2010. Apple Season Starts August 20

Yes, we are opening a few weeks earlier this year.  Starting August 20th, we are open daily 9 AM - 5 PM.  The whole growing season has been 2-3 weeks earlier than usual.   The crop is very heavy.  Jonafree are nice size and first to ripen.  Liberty are a bit small but still make outstanding apple pies as well as tasty snacks.  Scarlet O'Hara will be ready around September 10th.  The crop of our premium apple, GoldRush, looks great for October harvest.

We also have a good red raspberry crop you can pick for $3 per pint. 

Our hard cider made from last year's apples is excellent.  This year it is has a residual sweetness as we learn to work with the fermentation process.  Of course,  it is all natural with no sulfites or pasteurization and is made from our apples grown to organic practices.  Give us a call at (740)-587-3632 if you have any questions.

May, 2010. Growing Organic Apples in Ohio

It has been a wonderful Spring and the crop looks promising for this year. As we explain in About Us, growing organic apples in Ohio is a difficult task. It is interesting to note that in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey, 97% of organic apples are grown in the states west of the Rockies. In Ohio, a total of only six acres of organic apples are grown on nine certified or exempt organic farms. While we are not certified, and thus are not a part of that group of nine Ohio farms, we grow our apples strictly following organic practices.

Of course, we are "local" to customers in Central Ohio. However, contrary to the popular press, we do not feel that local is the only important descriptor when procuring one's food. A local grower can use synthetic chemicals and still sell in a farmers' market or in a market on the farm. In fact, a large factory farm is possibly better controlled than a small local farm that can use potentially harmful chemicals purchased in small quantities from local garden centers. Additionally, training and limitations on the use of these chemicals is often absent in the small (local) grower. Thus, the most prudent approach is to procure your food from those who follow organic practices.

February, 2010. Mid-Winter News

On reflecting on the past season events, I recall three visits to the orchard that were documented by well-written and informative blogs.

The first was a visit in September for a fun day picking apples:
http://houndsinthekitchen.com/2009/09/28/picking-apples-at-windy-hill-farm/

The second was an evaluation of the Hard Cider we craft at Windy Hill Apple Farm:
http://sensoryscience.blogspot.com/2009/10/cider-evaluation-windy-hill-apple-farm.html

The third is a blog on a visit in search of hard cider in Ohio. You be the judge:
http://ciderworks.blogspot.com/2008/10/best-freaking-ohio-cider-ever.html