"The marketing aspect of our business has changed a great deal over the years," Vern Gasch said. "People used to buy apples in much bigger quantities and store them over the winter. That doesn't really happen anymore so we've had to change the way we market our product."

The culmination of the hard work for a year is this time of year when the apples need to be harvested. However, the Gaschs don't get to just wait around until the apples grow and it's time to harvest. Much preparation work as well as preservation of the crop needs to be done to ensure a quality product.

"We do things like pruning the trees in the winter and bring bees into the orchard in the spring for pollination," Gasch said. "We also have to monitor insects and control disease in the apples during the summer months. It's more work than people probably realize."

Heritage Orchard uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is the use of current information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, along with pest control methods is used to control insect damage on crops in a way that is as inexpensive as possible, and has the least possible hazard to people and the environment.

When the apples are handpicked at Heritage Orchard, they go into cold storage and are packaged according to grade. Some go to schools for their lunch programs, some go to grocery stores, and of course some are sold in the store at the orchard. A portion of the apples is also used to make apple cider. The cider at Heritage Orchard has been voted as best in the state seven times.

"Our major focus here at the orchard is to have high quality fresh apples," Gasch said. "Our cider has definitely been a big success for us. It is not pasteurized and has a shelf-life of about three weeks."

In addition to the apples themselves and the cider, Heritage Orchard also offers cider donuts, various jams and jellies, as well as preserve products. There is also a craft store in an upstairs loft. Crops other than apples raised at the orchard include pumpkins and squash.

Another way people enjoy the orchard is when local school groups come for a day of learning and recreation. The kids learn about the process of growing and harvesting apples.

"I enjoy this time of year the most because we get to see a year of work to get the product ready finally pay off," Gasch said. "I think the weather is nice this time of year for people to come out and enjoy the outdoors while getting a quality product from us. We are proud to promote health and wellness with wholesome fresh products."

Heritage Orchard is open every day from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m., from September through October. It is located on Lakeshore Drive just a few miles outside of Chilton. More information is also available on the orchard's website, heritageorchard.net.

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