Apple Enthusiasm

 

Sunrise 30 October 2022

The bird feeder hangs empty, waiting for someone to fill it this fall though the birds seem to be satisfied picking at the leftover drooping seed heads on the sunflowers. There are a couple of chickadees that make their way into the high tunnel and greet me when I make my daily visit there.

It's cider season here on the farm - in case you haven't been following my posts on social media. The apples made their journey to the cider mill in nearby New York State on Friday and many of the crates of apples stored in the cooler have been replaced by crates full of the very special apple cider we craft every year.

This year's version seems to be extra sweet - a factor of a summer with limited rainfall. That little bit of information was related to us last evening as we met Aaron Rush, the owner and winemaker for Innerstoic Wine and Cider Company.

Aaron loves everything apple and as we chatted at the Halloween Open House at the Potter County Artisan Center where he was hosting a wine tasting, his love of his craft was obvious. We're excited about talking more with him and perhaps finds ways to share our apples with him in the future.

But meanwhile, act now to get your fresh apple cider. While much of the pressing was reserved for those who ordered in advance, the refrigerator in our makeshift self-serve farm stand is stocked with cider you can take home for $8 a gallon. Buy 5 and pay $35.

Today Is Cider Day!

 

Arthur was up well before dawn to load the apples onto the truck for their journey to the processing facility in nearby New York State. We're excited to taste the blend this year. It seems to us that growing conditions this year have resulted in apples that are especially delicious - and sweet!

If you missed the opportunity to pre-order your cider, there is a limited supply that we will be putting out in the makeshift farm stand tomorrow (Oct. 29) and we'll open the doors daily at 8 a.m. until it's gone.

Call us if you have any questions - the landline at 814-274-8004 is best. Email works too: metzgerfarm@gmail.com.

Great Apples Make Great Cider!

We've been pressing cider to sell for several years now.  And cider starts with the apples. Our cider is crafted exclusively from organic apples we grow here on Crandall Hill.

spring apple blossoms

after an afternoon shower

Why organic? First of all, organic is our personal choice for most of the produce we eat. The Environmental Working Group (from their website: "We've spent the last three decades bringing you breakthrough research and education so you can make smart, healthy decisions.") puts out a "dirty dozen" list that identifies the produce with higher concentrations of pesticides. Over 90% of apples tested positive for at least two or more pesticide residues. Choosing organic apples is one of the best and most efficient ways to reduce your pesticide exposure.

dozens of varieties for exquisite taste

The best fruit makes the best cider. Harvest begins in late August and continues through late October. Apples are refrigerated in our walk-in cooler immediately after harvest. And one cool early morning, they're loaded onto the truck to make the trip to the processor.

The apples are brushed and washed, then ground up, pressed, UV processed and bottled. Keeping the cider in its natural state with nothing additional added ensures all the flavor, nutritional value and vitamins of 100% pure apple juice.

Cider will be pressed on October 28 and available beginning that afternoon. There is a limited supply so it's best to order in advance to make sure you can enjoy the best tasting cider around!

Call 814-274-8004 (this is the landline at the farm) to place your order. You can also email: metzgerfarm@gmail.com. Deadline to place your order is Thursday, October 27. Cost is $8 per gallon, $5 half gallon. When you order in advance, we offer 5 gallons for $35.

cidre de pomme

There's A Difference

 

While you may pay a little more for our cider, you are getting a product that limits your exposure to the persistent chemicals and pesticides in commercially-grown apples.

Our cider is processed at a licensed facility and passed through a UV filter that kills pathogens without heat. 

Order today by emailing metzgerfarm@gmail.com or calling our landline (814-274-8004) where you can leave a message if we can't answer. Cider will be available beginning in the afternoon on October 29. It's best to pre-order your cider to avoid disappointment because we have always sold out.

Cider Time!

 The old adage tells us that good things come to those who wait. Well waiting this apple season is going to bring you a thing is is more than just good - it's a bright, tasty, wonderful thing - fresh apple cider from our organic apples!

We're waiting until all the apples are harvested so we have all the varieties (more than 50) included in the mix we take to the cider mill. The result will be an amazing mix that you can not find elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the walk-in cooler is filling with apples and Arthur works every day gathering more from our orchards. Today he's working on the golden delicious apples.

Prices will stay the same as last year. $8 per gallon, $5 per half gallon. You can order 5 gallons for $35 (a discount of $1 per gallon).

We're scheduling our first pressing for October 28 and the cider will be available for pickup beginning mid-afternoon that day. As in previous years, we ask you to order your cider in advance. That assures you of being first in line to avoid disappointment as we always have sold out quickly. You can email us at metzgerfarm@gmail.com with your order (and contact information) or call the landline at 814-274-8004.

Tater Tot(s)

Our Joe and Jennifer make their home on remnants of one of the Matanuska Colony Farms in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in Alaska. In addition to gardens full of vegetables every summer, they're also raising three little girls.

The Mat-Su Valley is known for the Mat-Su Giants - giant vegetables that is!

Youngest grandchild
Juniper Jane with one of those
Matanuska Giants

When this photo arrived in the inbox, I traveled back in time to a previous blog post 12 years ago. Here's our eldest grandchild, Rowan who was photographed with potatoes grown by daughter Kate and her husband Jon (mostly Jon, I would reckon) in eastern Oregon.

This guy's now a teenager!