Community Spotlight: Apple Orchards

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Wisconsin has a rich horticultural heritage that stretches back nearly 150 years. The earliest organized cultivation of apples began in the 1840s when European settlers planted apple seedlings in the rich, fertile soil of Wisconsin. By the turn of the 20^th century, Wisconsin possessed 40,905 acres of apple orchards with 1,338,917 bearing trees. Specific fruit growing districts began to appear in several regions in Wisconsin based on geographic and climatic features.

Today, commercial apple orchards extend across the state and can be found in 46 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. In 2004, Wisconsin’s apple orchards produced 56 million pounds of fruit worth over $9 million.

Great local family orchards to venture out too:

• Rim’s Edge Orchard in Germantown
• Basse’s Country Delight Farm Market in Muskego
• Peck and Bushel Fruit Company in Colgate
• Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon
• Nieman Orchards “Old Red Barn” in Cedarburg
• Old Homestead Orchard in Franksville
• The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago
• Ela Orchard in Rochester
• Apple Holler in Sturtevant
• Brightonwoods Orchard in Burlington
• Jelli’s Apple Orchard in Helenville
• Quednow’s Heriloom Apple Orchard in Elkhorn
• Appleland in Fredonia
• Munster Orchard in Burlington
• Apple Barn Orchard and Winery in Elkhorn
• Hafs Road Orchard in Genoa City
• Dutter’s Gibbsville Orchard in Sheboygan Falls
• Armstrong Apples Orchard and Winery in Campbellsport
• Hawk’s Orchard in Milton
• Columbus Discovery Orchard in Columbus
• Log Cabin Orchard in Plymouth
• Tom Dooley Orchard in Waupun

For a full list of apple orchards in Wisconsin, please visit Wisconsin Apple Growers Association.

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