Ohio apple tradition is going strong
Boasting a rich history of fresh fruit production, the produce floor at Hillcrest Orchard is covered with ready-to-eat varieties.
Cool autumn air is beginning to appear in the evenings here in Northeast Ohio, signaling a prelude to fall. What better way to embrace the season than with the sweet taste of freshly picked apples and apple products?
August and September set the stage for the season, and as this year’s early varieties begin to produce, local orchards start to buzz with activity from people looking to enjoy the bounty with their loved ones.
Memories of quilts draped over legs while telling stories and sipping cider from warm mugs are a rich tradition of apple cultivation in Ohio.
Ohio’s apple orchards are not just a local treasure. They hold national acclaim. According to the Ohio State Universities College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ohio ranks among the top 10 states in apple production. This ranking underscores the dedication and hard work of Ohio’s apple farmers.
Isaac and Neva C, owners of Sunny Slope Market and Orchard in Navarre, took over the business 12 years ago from the Baker family. The orchard has been a fixture since 1936. Upon taking over, the Yoders replanted a substantial portion of the orchard’s trees to update the varieties they offered to fit customers’ needs.
“We’ll pick around 16,000 pounds of 38 varieties in a season,” Isaac Yoder said.
Their mission is to provide high-quality fruit directly from their farm. One of their offerings is a pick-your-own experience, allowing customers to gather fruit directly from the orchard. Their first you-pick date is Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more dates to follow.
Currently, Honeycrisp Apples are ready for picking. The orchard offers six varieties for you-pick: Pixie Crunch (mid-September), Rosalie (second week of October), Ludacrisp (mid-October), Sweet Zinger (late October) and Evercrisp (late October).
Sunny Slope also is known for its market items including Amish pies made from scratch, fudge, unpasteurized apple cider, caramel apples and cider slushies.
Hillcrest Orchard, located in Walnut Creek, is a 75-acre family-owned orchard run by the Merle Hershberger family. Established in 1927, the orchard has been in the Hershberger family since 1961, bringing the business close to its 100-year milestone. Hillcrest grows 22 varieties of apples including Honeycrisp, available now, and Red Delicious and Jonagold, which will be ready in mid to late September. Additionally, varieties like Rosalie and Melrose are expected to be available beginning and mid-October, respectively.
Beyond apples, Hillcrest Orchard offers a range of other products. Shoppers can find pumpkins, fall decor, 12 distinct kinds of peaches, mums, plums, local meats and cheeses, and a full line of fresh produce. The store also carries a variety of nuts, candies and snacks, ensuring a broad selection for visitors. Merle Hershberger said the dedication to maintaining and expanding the orchard has been a family tradition for decades, capturing nearly a century of agricultural heritage.
These orchards and others like them are nurtured by generations of farmers and their families.
Below are links and other trip-planning information for Sunny Slope and Hillcrest Orchards. Also included is information on a few other orchards worth checking out in the region:
—Clark’s Orchard, 20768 Township Road 164, Coshocton, 740-622-1881.
—Arrowhead Orchard, 11724 Lisbon St. SE, Paris, 330-862-2733, www.arrowheadorchard.com.
—Hillcrest Orchard, 2474 Township Road 444, Sugarcreek, 330-893-9906, www.cometowalnutcreekohio.com.
—Bauman Orchards, 161 Rittman Ave., 330-925-6861, www.baumanorchards.com.
—Rittman Orchards, 13624 Mt. Eaton Road, Doylestown, 330-925-4152, www.rittmanorchards.com.
—Sunny Slope Orchard, 14960 Millersburg Road SW, Navarre, 330-833-9415, www.sunnyslopeapples.com/.