Maple sugaring, also known as maple syrup production, is an age-old tradition in Western Massachusetts. This process involves tapping maple trees to collect their sap, which is then boiled down to produce maple [...]
Franklin County is often celebrated for its thriving agriculture and abundance of local farms. The local orchards stand out as one of our agricultural gems, drawing in visitors to enjoy the annual harvest and partake in the fun of pick-your-own fruits. Warm autumn days are the perfect time to visit a local orchard to pick your own delicious, [...]
Whately lies on the southern border of Franklin County, north of Hampshire County and is bisected by Interstate 91. Whately has been and continues to be a mainly agricultural area with commercial crops including apples, cider, hay, maple products, tobacco, and vegetables. With so many farms around, you can find a lot of delicious, fresh [...]
The time of year to pick your own apples has come to an end at many of our local apple orchards. But the good news is that now it’s time to do something with all of these delicious apples grown right here in Franklin County. Franklin County Cider Days is coming up soon - the first weekend in November - when the whole region comes together to [...]
October is the best month for apple picking in Massachusetts. Here in Franklin County we are lucky to have so many orchards which offer apple picking with some of the most delicious apples [...]
Our local Western Mass corn mazes are open for the 2022 season. Corn mazes are a really fun activity in the fall and we’re lucky to have two really awesome mazes right here in Franklin [...]
The best time of year to harvest peaches is early August through mid-September. In celebration of these deliciously sweet and juicy stone fruits, Apex Orchards is throwing a party! Visit Apex Orchards and Farm Store in Shelburne, Massachusetts on Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th for lots of fun around [...]
New England’s sugaring season is now in full swing. Around the Pioneer Valley, you’ll find sap buckets to tap the maple trees, steam coming out of bustling sugarhouses, and fresh maple syrup for sale in local farm [...]
Cider Days, Franklin County’s popular event for all things apple, happens every year during the first weekend of November. This fun and informative event brings together local cider producers and orchards to share their love for apples and apple products and to expand their passions outward into the community. This Friday through Sunday, November 5th to 7th, local cideries and orchards will open their doors to host workshops, demonstrations, and tours.
The events kick off Friday with a Pomological Exhibit at Ashfield Community Hall from 10 am to 5 pm. After the exhibition, there will be a cider makers gathering at Scott Farm Orchard in Dummerston, Vermont from 5-8 pm.
Then the events continue all day Saturday and Sunday at our local favorite orchards. Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield will host a cider pressing demonstration, an orchard tour, and several “Cooking with Apples” demos. Apex Orchards in Shelburne Falls will host a talk about Pollination for the Home Orchardist with Tim Smith. Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain is offering a workshop on pruning with David Shearer and William Shearer.
West County Cider in Shelburne Falls will talk about “Preserving and Increasing Our Botanical and Cultural Heritage” with Ben Watson and explore Wild Apple Foraging with Matt Kaminsky. Plus, New Salem Orchard in New Salem will host an outdoor presentation about the History of Cider in Early America with William Grote and show how to make bread overnight with Cider Lees. Historic Deerfield will also participate in the Cider Days fun with a Heritage Apple Workshop on both Saturday and Sunday.
There are 23 venues in total offering workshops, tastings, tours, and demos. View the Cider Day’s Trail Map and check out all the Cider Day’s events planned for this weekend at ciderdays.org/cider-trail-2021.
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.
The Hicks Family Farm Corn Maze will be open for the 2021 season on Saturday, September 4th! Corn mazes have long been a favorite fall activity in New England and we are lucky to have our own amazing local corn maze right here in Franklin County. You can easily find the Hicks Corn Maze on the Mohawk Trail/Route 2 in Charlemont, MA.
A 5th generation farm in operation, Hicks will be celebrating its 11th year of the corn maze this year. Check out the scavenger hunt in the maze or play mini golf in the field. Plus, don’t miss the haunted weekends in October, Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9 pm.
Visit the Hicks Family Farm Corn Maze Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, September 4th through October 30th and the evenings during their haunted weekends. Tickets for the corn maze are $8 for children 12 and under and $10 for adults.
For more information and to view aerial photos of past years’ mazes, visit hickscornmaze.com.
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.
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