Apple Hill Orchard in Ontario is the picture-perfect setting to find apple picking, hay rides, cider making, pumpkin picking, and a new budding sensation: apple donuts.
Apple Hill Orchards, located on Ohio’s second highest hill in elevation on the outskirts of Ontario, and in Fredericktown, have been cultivating and producing apples in the community since the 1930s.
The orchard located in Ontario is roughly 62 acres and produces from 30,000 to 40,000 bushels of apples in a season’s harvest. It is owned by Russell and Barb Joudrey. The orchard grows more than apples, however. They also grow peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and pumpkins. These are all available for pick-your-own gathering during each harvest season.
In addition to their year round efforts to offer the county retail products like cider and donuts, Apple Hill Orchard devotes the entire month of October to educating primarily youth of how apples are grown and what it takes to maintain an ever changing crop.
“It is very important to know where our food comes from. We try to talk to as many [youth] as possible, including adults. The more they know, the better,” said Barb Joudrey, owner.
Through October, Apple Hill Orchard in Ontario hosts hay rides for families. During this time, one of the employees, but usually Barb Joudrey herself, drives the group around the orchard in one of the old Ford tractors and explains how apples are grown and picked.
Tales of the famous Johnny Appleseed inevitably sprout when touring the fruit trees, which is appreciated by youth and adults alike. The group then returns to the barn, where Barb explains how honey is produced and why it matters to have honeybees around the orchard for pollination. She then takes the youth through the cider making process, also a part of the barn, with a quick swig from a newly-pressed batch of cider to top off the tour.
Although hay rides will end after October, Apple Hill will stay open through Thanksgiving. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
All of the products are available for retail from the store, which is part of the barn. The array of these products include, honey, pickled Brussels sprouts, deli, apple donuts, cider, and of course, apples (when in season).
For more information, visit their website and Facebook page, or call 419-884-1500.
