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THE MARKET IS CLOSED UNTIL MID-AUGUST, 2012
WIDESPREAD FROSTS DAMAGE MICHIGAN FRUIT CROPS
MIchigan fruit crops including apples suffered major damage as a result of multiple freezes since March when we had several days of temperatures even into the 80's that brought trees out of their dormant period and into spring. The Ridge area had only minor damage until late April when temperatures dropped into the mid 20's. We are still assessing the extent of the damage. In an ordinary year, the weakest apples would fall off in late June. Because of the early spring, we are a month early and that process will occur in late May.
There may be apples scattered in various areas depending on topography and nearness to a frost fan. This year is unchartered territory in many aspects. History indicates that the last time we had a situation with some similarities to this was in 1945. Obviously, the industry has changed dramatically since then.
The ripple effect of this will affect growers, workers, suppliers of inputs like fuel, equipment, boxes, packaging, chemicals and fertilizers, packing houses and processors and their workers, trucking, marketing associations, local businesses and schools, grocery stores, exports from Michigan, advertising and others. Agriculture in Michigan, in a recent study, contributed $91 billion to the economy. A significant part of that is the contribution from the fruit industry.
We still plan to open the market in August. We will be planting pumpkins, squash and gourds as usual. Tours for schools, churches and other groups will continue as usual.
PUMPKINS, WINTER SQUASH AND A LARGE VARIETY OF GOURDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR U-PICK AND ALSO IN THE MARKET. We have baking and cooking sugar pumpkins in the market as well as in one area of the pumpkin patch.
Earlier we had a new variety called Blondee, a yellow, sweet apple. This was the first picking on two year old trees so there were not a lot of them. Customers liked it and next year we will have a larger supply. We were pleased with the response by our customers.
PIES: We have Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Strawberry Rhubarb, Rhubarb and Wild Blackberry pies. We encourage you to order pies ahead a couple days if you would like them fresh baked. Just call 616-887-2404. We also can take holiday orders for pies from mid-August to November. $12 for frozen pies, $13 for baked. Do you need pies for the holidays? Let us know this week so we can supply your needs!
We also have sugar free-apple and peach pies and they are good as well. They all take only 1 hour and 15 minutes to bake at 350 degrees and you have a fresh, delicious pie ready to eat. Our pies are handmade by Wheeler Farms in Hart, MIchigan. A slice of pie with a scoop of ice cream is fantastic.
Did you know that Michigan is the 2nd most diversified state for the number of crops produced in the nation. California is number 1. We can thank Lake Michigan and its' effect on our state as well as good fertile ground for the hugh variety of crops Michigan offers. The west side of lower Michigan, south to north, produces many different fruit and vegetable crops. Some of these crops are apples, cherries, blueberries, peaches, grapes, apricots, onions, peppers, sweet corn, squash, pumpkins, carrots, beans, and many more.
We have closed the scarecrow factory for good with the refurbishment of the barn. However, Sparta will still have a Scarecrow Building Contest in conjunction with their "Harvest On The Ridge" Festival September 23-25.
The barn will be more comfortable now for group and school tours in the fall. We will begin taking reservations in August. Church groups, Seniors, bus tours are all very welcome. Give us a call to make an appointment and we will work with you to set up an enjoyable visit.
Apple cookies (plain or with nuts) are available in the freezer ready to eat. We also sell them individually for 25 cents each. We use the plain ones for school tours and the kids love them.
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, pancake mix in buttermilk and apple cinnamon, fruit crisp mix, cheesecake mixes and toppings for fruit crisps.
FUN THINGS TO DO!
Pick your own apples, pumpkins, winter squash or gourds.
Tour the orchards on our orchard shuttle. Groups of ten or more-make an appointment, please.
View a 15 minutes DVD about our farm & the production of apples.
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.
The Moonwalk and playground are FREE to customers only.
Enjoy the wonderful view, have some cider, a donut, a cookie, a caramel apple and just relax.
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.
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