Fall is the time to cater to all of your autumnal desires: pumpkin carving, leaf raking, hay-riding, and, of course, apple picking.
Helping satisfy some of these fall festivities is the Springhill Fruit Farm, located at 5646 Ganges Five Points Road, Shiloh.
This family-owned and operated orchard was planted in 1941 by Ray Weaver. In 1968, Kenneth and Mary Jane Burrer bought the farm, beginning a generational trend that has extended to four generations.
Currently, Jeff Burrer, son of Kenneth and Mary Jane Burrer, and his wife, Laura Burrer operate Springhill. Their children, Mandi Miller, Megan and Ben Burrer, also help out at the orchard. Whenever home from college, Megan Burrer lends a hand to the family business. She stated, “I wish I could come home more, but it doesn’t work that way with school.”
Jeff Burrer explained that they grow anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 bushels of apples a season on their 25-acre orchard. Additionally, there are approximately 5,000 semi-dwarf trees that grow 28 varieties of apples, including honey crisp, gala, fuji, jonagold, red delicious, and granny smith.
Given their large quantities of apples, they have a cooling system that keeps the apples chilled at 35 degrees. Burrer noted that the hail storm earlier in the year caused some damage to the apples, but fortunately, they’re able to use those apples for cider.
In addition to apples, the farm grows peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, pumpkins, squash, and other seasonal items.
Some of Springhill’s products may look familiar to local shoppers because the orchard supplies items to three local grocery stores and even provides produce to the Farm to Plate program in Shelby.
The harvesting season is almost over, stated Burrer. However, the store stays open for business until Thanksgiving Day. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The orchard is also looking to host the “An Apple a Day 5K” on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. The proceeds of the race will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Race day registration will occur at 11:30 a.m. and costs $20. Participants may pre-register by going to www.ohioraceday.com; the pre-registration fee is $15 and the form must be submitted by Oct. 21.
For more information regarding the 5K, contact Teresa Alt at teresacorbin10@gmail.com.
