Looking ahead to the late summer and fall of 2010:

We are opening on Saturday, August 14th this year. Apples, peaches and blueberries and sweet corn will be available as well as our delicious pies. We encourage you to order pies ahead a few days if you would like them fresh baked rather than frozen.

It is also time to think about scarecrow building. The 2nd annual "Harvest On the Ridge" Festival in Sparta will take place on Friday and Saturday, September 24 and 25. Steffens Orchards and the Sparta Sports Boosters are once again sponsoring the scarecrow contest. You can check the Sparta Chamber of Commerce web site for ongoing events and scarecrow contest rules.

Scarecrows are great fun  for your front porch, yard or garden.  Steffens Scarecrow Factory has all the materials you need.

Good Things to Eat:
Apples, peaches, blueberries, cherries, and other fruits and vegetables; cider and caramel apples; donuts, fresh and frozen pies; cookies, jams, preserves, and fruit butters; toppings, syrups, salad dressings; salsas and mustards are available.

Other Items For Sale: Apple peelers, slicers, corers, canning items, Ball Canning books, canning lids and tops, various cookbooks, apple bread boards, sweet corn items, knives, handmade towels and dish cloths for the kitchen, etc. We also have several baking mixes, cheesecake mixes and toppings for fruit crisps.

Fun Things to Do:
Pick your own apples or pumpkins.

Build a scarecrow at our Scarecrow Factory.

Tour the orchards on our orchard shuttle.

View a 15 minutes DVD about our farm.

Play on the wooden tractor and hay wagon slide.

Measure heighth and take pictures with the Happy Apple Man.

Test your apple smarts or enjoy the FREE Moonwalk for children while you shop.

Special Events:
Kent Harvest Trails runs from mid-September through Halloween. Watch for brochures at Spartan Stores or at our market.

School and Group Tours: You are encouraged to make reservations for tours early because weather conditions are usually better earlier in the season. We welcome not only school children but adults, seniors, church groups, etc. Call 616-887-2404 for reservations.