We will begin planting a 2-acre orchard in the Spring of 2014.  The orchard will be a small part of our larger 49-acre parcel (for now).  We are located along Howard’s Lick Run, a tributary of the Lost River.  Lost river is actually a section of the Cacapon River. We also plan on planting several acres of a variety of crops to help create a sustainable environment.  Bees are a must, of course.  We are still deciding whether to care for our own bees or to source that out to a professional beekeeper.  And we can’t forget the critters!!  Don’t worry, we have a nice list going of super sweet furry farm critters that we intend on acquiring, once we are here full time!!

We have ordered 150 apple trees, with over  a dozen varieties of antique, heirloom and cider apples. These trees will not bear heavy crops of apples for a few years, so until then, we are working on learning trade and experimenting with cider making. We have chosen to purchase our trees from a local West Virgina orchardist, apple collector, and preservationist, Carlos Manning.  Carlos Manning is unknown to many, but in the world of antique apples he has been tolled as the “apple savior” and even “Later-Day Johnny Appleseed”.  He has made it his life’s work to save obscure apple varieties from extinction.  These are not varieties you would see in your local groceries, possibly not even farm markets.  They don’t look like much, so most people don’t wan to sell them. But, once you have tasted them your grocery store apples will never be the same.

West Virginia is Apple Country, so what better place to begin our orchard and cidery.  The funny thing is, WV doesn’t to have many Cideries, if any at all.  We are excited to be the pioneers!