EDWARDSVILLE — Liberty Apple Orchard just east of Edwardsville will launch its 10th season on Aug. 27.
The orchard features 18 varieties of apples through November, along with a replica of a one-room schoolhouse and a new farm market building filled with products from the orchard and local businesses.
A traditional family orchard, Liberty Apple Orchard is owned and cared for by Lugene and Steve Miller.
“There are no access fees, parking fees or reservations needed to visit our orchard and enjoy the sights and fragrances of autumn and taste a crispy, sweet apple from the tree,” said Steve Miller.
Starting in late August, Gala, McIntosh and some Blondee apples will be the first of 18 varieties ready for picking. By early September Jonathan, Empire and Cortland apples will be available, followed by Liberty, Fuji and Ultra Gold varieties.
In October, late season Fuji, Braeburn, Ludacrisp, Enterprise, Evercrisp, Candycrisp, Goldrush, Pink Lady and Granny Smith will be available for picking.
“To celebrate our tenth year, we will be offering for the first-time apple cider slushies in the farm market,” said Lugene Miller.
She added the farm market will be filled with “pre-picked apples, cider from local orchards, apple cider donuts on Saturday mornings, apple butter and apple sauce made from our apples, local honey from hives on the orchard, caramel apples, children’s books on how apples grow, mother and child homemade apple-print aprons, Amish conserves and salsas, gourmet popcorn, fudge and apple crisp and apple cake mixes.”
The orchard will host its third Apple Harvest Festival and 5k Run on Sept. 24. The festival will celebrate the life of Adam Behrhorst, a former Liberty employee who died in 2017 after battling Ewing Sarcoma. All proceeds from the festival will benefit childhood cancer research through the American Cancer Society.
“After a two-year pandemic pause, we are looking forward to hosting this event supporting the American Cancer Society’s fight against pediatric cancers,” said Lugene Miller.
The orchard supports the local economy by hiring students from schools and home school groups.
“Growing an orchard is a year-round endeavor, but we were fortunate again to have some dedicated high school and college students and retired folks to help out,” said Steve Miller. “We try to assist in the development of the students by providing recommendations for college, scholarships and future jobs.”
In its first nine years of operations, Liberty Apple Orchard employed 53 high school, college and retired men and women to assist with pruning in the winter and orchard maintenance in the spring, summer and fall seasons.
As in past years, the Millers seek to provide high quality local fresh fruit, an educational experience for children and families, and community participation and outreach. Liberty Apple Orchard will again offer opportunities for class or group field trips to pick apples and learn about growing an orchard; groups should call ahead for arrangements at 618-659-9217. It also will aid fundraisers for youth, mission or school groups, or to provide a source of healthy snacks for fall festivals and Halloween celebrations.
The orchard also is partnering again with Operation Food Search, a non-profit food distribution organization providing fruit to food banks in the Metro East and St. Louis areas.
In addition to the “U-Pick” opportunity, Liberty Apple Orchard’s produce is available at Dierberg’s in Edwardsville, Local Harvest in Tower Grove, Three Rivers Community Farm in Elsah and the Land of Goshen Farmers’ Market in Edwardsville.
Once opened for the season, guest may pick their own apples Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 4 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday 3-5 p.m.
Liberty Apple Orchard is at 8308 Kuhn Station Road. For further information on the ripening schedule as well as times and dates for special events, call 618-659-9217 or follow the orchard on Facebook (libertyappleorchard), its website, www.libertyappleorchard.com.
