Farmer Spotlight
From pie to cider donuts, no New England fall is complete without apples. It’s only fitting, then, to start this year’s Farmer Spotlight campaign with Apex Orchards. Located in Shelburne Falls, MA, Apex Orchards has been farmed by Tim Smith and his family for seven generations. Over the past few years, Tim has begun the process of passing down the land to long-time co-manager Courtney Smith. Although ownership is changing hands, the 380-acre farm will continue to grow over 50 varieties of apples — along with peaches and many specialty fruits. You can enjoy fresh apples from Apex Orchards through the fall at any of the dining halls.
The History of Apex Orchards
Glacial lake deposits from over 10,000 years ago have left what is now Western Massachusetts with some of the most fertile soils in the world. For thousands of years, the area has been home to thriving agriculture. In 1828, American Revolution veteran Abner Peck purchased a piece of this land and relocated from Connecticut, becoming the first generation in Tim’s family to work the farm.
The land was originally used for diversified subsistence agriculture, as was typical for the era. The family raised livestock and grew vegetables, selling a small surplus. New generations brought dairy and chickens, but by the 1940s, the land was converted entirely to orchards and took on the name it has today. “Apex” comes from the location of the orchard, sitting at the apex of a hill with beautiful views.
Apex Orchards was originally a wholesale apple orchard selling apples across America and Europe. In the late 1990s, they moved into retail. In 2011, Tim purchased an additional 175 acres of land, part of the original Peck family farm. In 2016, Apex Orchards opened its new farm store.
Today, Apex Orchards cultivates a wide variety of apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, quince, pears, Asian pears, blueberries, table grapes, and kiwis. They keep up with modern agriculture techniques, including integrated pest management (IPM) and on-site solar electricity. The orchard hosts events, including live music, food festivals, tractor shows, and more. Links to events and hours are below.
Events: https://apexorchards.com/events/
Pick-Your-Own: https://apexorchards.com/pick-your-own/
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