'He that drinks his cyder alone, let him catch his horse alone.'
-Benjamin Franklin
Join us for Franklin County Cider Days on November 5th and 6th, we will have apples, cider, and vinegar, and more. On November 6th at 10am organic grower and author Michael Phillips will be here to speak on organic growing practices.
Update: Be ready for some snow still in the orchard if you are planning on visiting this weekend!
Check out our Orchard Happenings page to see what is going on in the orchard now, and how we grow.
Welcome.
We are a small organically certified orchard in Ashfield Massachusetts (Directions). We are growing apples with a holistic bent, taking into account the health of the flora and fauna as part of the orchard system, staying away from the use of broad spectrum pesticides. From mid September to mid or late October we have apples available as pick your own and ready pick with different varieties that are ready at different times throughout the fall.
- All products, including;
- apples and other fruit
- sweet cider and vinegar ( both raw, un-pasteurized, untreated ) are all grown to, and beyond the organic standards. We also have our own maple syrup and Shetland sheep fleece.
Sheep in the top of the orchard
We were featured as a one of the top apple picking orchards by Travel and Leisure online.
PICK YOUR OWN
Interested in coming out to pick apples with your family?
HOURS - Closed for the season
We have a beautiful place at the top of the hills in the Berkshires of western Mass, with views that reach out to Vermont and New Hampshire. We also border the Trustees of Reservations Bear Swamp Reserve which offers miles of beautiful hiking trails and views of its own. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch.
It can be windy, and cooler up here than in the valleys, so bring a coat just in case.
You can call/email ahead to check on availability.
AT THE ORCHARD
We have a self serve area at our orchard. Apple varieties and cider availability vary throughout the season.
Please check in.
We look forward to seeing you.
2011 Prices*
Farm stand / Market
1/4 peck $ 5
1/2 peck $ 9
Peck $ 16
Bushel $ 52
Pick your own
Peck $ 13
Bushel $ 43
Fresh sweet Cider (raw, un-pasteurized, untreated, organic)
1/2 gallon - $ 4.25
Raw Cider Vinegar- limited supply
16 oz bottles - $3
1 Peck = 10 pounds
4 pecks = 1 bushel
*Prices may change at any time.
We are continuing to develop our sustainable orchard management practices, which go beyond organic pest-control methods to include attention to ecological cycles in the orchard. Orchard management of this type is still in its infancy and it involves a lot of experimenting, and trial and error. Weather and yearly pest pressure varies greatly and will affect fruit quantity and quality.
We are a new and growing orchard; we appreciate your patience and suggestions as we grow.
You can also check out our CISA/Buy local food listing,
www.Buylocalfood.com.
Thanks for your interest and please contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions.
Steve & Jen
(413)-625-2849 or
(413)-768-7989 (cell, "we're outside")
email - apples@bearswamporchard.com
Make a living at organic farming? Not yet, check out one of our other day jobs Apple Valley Woodworking.
