The Short Month

sparkling snow, bluebird skies

 

The Old Ways Help The New Ways Come

There are moments of my early years on Metzger Heritage Farm that are crystal clear in memory. There was the time everyone pitched in to dig deep trenches out by the rhubarb to plant asparagus. Being new to the family and anxious to please Arthur Metzger Sr. who supervised from his seat on the Wheelhorse tractor, I was so very conscious of placing those long straggly white roots just right. 

Arthur Sr. was behind many additions to the farm in the 1970s including the Garden Way cider press which he put together in the shop.

Apples were gathered from the ancient Northern Spy trees and what we now call the 1950s orchard with its Golden and Red Delicious dwarf apple trees. We all took our turns turning the crank to grind the apples. Such glorious sweetness poured from the little hole on the bottom of the tray into the waiting graniteware kettle on the grass!

Though he wasn't given the gift to watch his grandchildren turning that crank, we've dragged the old Garden Way cider press out of the shop nearly every fall, sometimes hosting a cider pressing party for friends, always pressing a couple of gallons for family and once pressing cider with a slew of kids and their families from the Austin School. That year cider sales helped finance the annual legendary trip to Pittsburgh for Mr. Metzger and his students. 

Joey & Kate Metzger with "Auntie Snip"

Joey keeping close watch on the process

Aucotts: Mike, Louise and Gabe
Arthur & Anne Acker(?) on the left

Zach Pucci, Paul Heimel, Joey Metzger, Blair Heimel, Maggie Acker

Steve Heimel, Paul Heimel with Paul J. on his shoulders,
Kate Metzger, Chris Heimel, Joey Metzger & Arthur Metzger

Zach Pucci on his way to the cider press

Paul Heimel, Kate Metzger & Zach Pucci

Sabrina & Rachel Newton (Jorge in back)

These days, our cider production is a small commercial operation and the apples head a bit north to Canisteo, N.Y. to be pressed in a gigantic press to yield their juices.

But the old Garden Way press waits in the shop for the time when the next generation of family and friends will turn the crank and savor that first taste!

How Do You Like Them Apples?

 

Have you visited our farm stand on Crandall Hill? We came up with the plan to use our garage in what we all call "the horse barn" as a way to offer our USDA Certified Organic apples (and cider when we have it) for sale right here on the farm.

Apples are conveniently bagged so you can grab and go. We offer selections of apple varieties you may recognize and many more you might want to add to your list of favorites. We also accept the FMNP and WIC checks and have $6 bags available. 

King of Tompkins County is a large, smooth-skinned yellow apple with orange-red blush.  It's coarse, crisp, aromatic and tender. Many people bite into one and immediately say it tastes exactly as they remember a great apple tasting when they were a child.

Pixie Crunch is a dessert apple, extremely crisp and juicy. It's described as rich, spicy and full flavored. I describe them as delicious!

Where else can you find apples with names such as Freedom ... Enterprise .. Liberty ... Wolf River ...Florina Querina ... Crimson Topaz ... Crimson Gold ...  Scarlett O'Hara ... Red Free ... Sundance.

In addition to our bagged apples, we can also put together boxes of what we call "seconds" perfect for applesauce, apple butter, and pies. Cost is $20. Preorder and we'll have them ready for you. 

Our "Well-Crafted" Cider Ready Today

I read this on an apple-related site today and wished I'd chosen these words to describe our apple cider.

"Well-crafted cider begins with great apples, fruit that is full of personality and a sense of place, from orchards grown with care."

Well, folks, it may sound like hyperbole to you but it strikes a pleasant chord with me as I try to entice you to try some of our well-crafted cider made from more than 14 varieties of our USDA Certified Organic Apples.

What's the difference between apple cider and apple juice? Cider is unfiltered and contains some pulp or sediment which gives it its familiar cloudy look. Because our cider has no preservatives, its shelf life (refrigerated) is 7-10 days. After that, fermentation begins on the way to becoming a 'hard' cider.

You will find our freshly-made raw apple cider is refreshing and rich in many of the same nutrients as raw apples.

As I write this on Tuesday afternoon, those who pre-ordered their cider may pick it up anytime the farm stand is open (daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Some will find their orders in the refrigerator in the farm stand while others will need to come to the door so we can fetch your cider from the big cooler.

If you missed out on ordering this time, stop by the Farm Stand and grab yours from the refrigerator... but I suggest you come soon before someone else snaps it up.

We will continue harvesting and storing apples as they continue development of their distinct personalities and plan at least one more cider pressing this season. Feel free to email me (metzgerfarm@gmail.com) with your order and I'll let you know when to expect delivery.

Cost this year is $8 for a gallon of well-crafted goodness; $4.75 for a half gallon. Buy 5 gallons for $35. That's a popular bargain for those crafting their own hard cider.

Apple Cider Time

 

The first pressing of apple cider from our USDA Certified Organic Apples will be available beginning Tuesday, September 29. We mix many varieties of apples and take them for processing and bottling at a facility in New York state. While there are no preservatives added, the cider is treated with UV light before bottling in gallon and half-gallon containers. 

Many have commented that our cider is the best they have ever tasted and we, of course, agree.

Because there are no preservatives added, we have found it best to have the cider processed based on the number of orders \so we ask that you order your cider in advance so you won't be disappointed. Please email us at metzgerfarm@gmail.com. If you have questions, please call us at (814) 274-8004. 

Cost is $8 per gallon, 5 gallons for $35. Half gallon price is $4.75.

We expect to be making several trips to the processing plant this season and will announce the dates.

The farm stand is open Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday hours are 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. We just put out bags of Honey Crisp apples.

New Apple Varieties Ready

 

Arthur has been busy picking apples and getting them bagged and ready for sale. Check out Initial and Pixie Crunch for satisfying and delicious apple snacks.

Safe For All

This sign greeted me when I opened the door to prepare our farm stand for customers this morning. It's a companion to these created by Arthur, designed to entice customers to choose organic fruits - from our farm, of course!

Just to refresh your memory, I give you some reasons to choose organic for your apples.

1. Organic Apples Taste Better. Once you've tried many of the varieties of organic apples, you will be able to taste the difference - some have said the flavor explodes in your mouth. Commercially grown apples tend to taste watery and bland. Pesticides used to grow conventional apples make the fruit retain water, and you get an apple swollen with water instead of taste.

2. Pesticides Are Toxic To Farm Workers & Consumers. Remember, the sole purpose of any pesticide is to kill living organisms. Conventional produce has absorbed the pesticides and chemicals that were used to grow it. Synthetic herbicides, pesticides and insecticides have been in widespread use in commercial farming since the 1940s. Our apples are grown without these harmful substances. Some think they can get rid of pesticide residue by peeling apples, not taking into consideration that the apple has been sprayed multiple times during its growing cycle.

3. Support Local Farms and Farmers. Every time you make the choice to buy organic from a local farmer, you are supporting a small farm, allowing them to profit while maintaining their organic principles and sustainable farming practices. When you make the decision about the product you are buying, you are "voting" with your money to ensure the small organic producers can continue to bring you their wholesome - and better - produce.

These are the apple varieties we currently feature at our farm stand.

Pristine – An early apple that is sweet enough for out of hand enjoyment.

Duchess of Oldenburg – Early-season apple, originating from Russia in the early 18th century.  It is primarily used as a cooking apple.

Yellow Transparent – Named for the pale-yellow skin of the fruit that matches the flesh. Crisp, light and sweet – makes the ultimate home-cooked applesauce.

Mollie’s Delicious – A crisp and juicy apple with sweet-tart taste. Unrelated to other Delicious varieties.

Williams’ Pride - Early-season all-purpose apple is especially good for fresh eating.

Sansa – Sweet and juicy with a little tang. Good for fresh eating or for making apple sauce.

Red Free – Great multi-purpose apple that works in baking, salads, and for fresh eating.