Your local apple orchard is having terrible year
Erratic spring weather, soaring farm costs, and record debt pushed some apple orchards to close, while others expanded their offerings.
In New Jersey, apple orchards have faced a challenging year after a spring freeze devastated their crops. Some farmers have adapted by adding entertainment and food options, while others have closed their operations for the season, hoping for better yields next year. Kurt Alstede, a first-generation orchard owner, described the year as "torturous" as everything was "ugly" due to the April freeze that affected crops from the Midwest to the Northeast.
Farming costs have also risen by nearly 44% since 2018, adding pressure to an already difficult situation. Rainy weekends further deterred visitors during key apple-picking weekends. To cope, some orchards have diversified their offerings, introducing vegetables, hay rides, and pumpkin patches. Others have focused on live music, wagon rides, and festivals, hoping it will offset the crop losses.
However, some farmers, like Monte Marti, have decided to close their orchards for the season, citing the poor apple harvest. Despite the challenges, apple orchards remain a beloved part of the local culture, and supporters are encouraged to purchase locally grown apples.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
