Penn State Extension To Offer Hard Cider Workshop

Penn State University Extension to offer the Hard Cider from Seed to Sip workshop held on Feb. 1 at The Vineyard and Brewery in Hershey, PA, from 1-5 p.m.

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Hard cider production and market specialists will explore topics such as growing a successful hard cider orchard, yeast selection for fermentation, market trends, and content marketing.

“This workshop will give attendees an intimate and informative look into the operations of a cidery, from start to finish.”  Carla Snyder, Hard Cider Program Educator said.  “The workshop will have meaningful information for those who are just starting in the industry as well as those who want to expand their existing knowledge.”

Expanding and burgeoning hard cider business owners will get to study the process in each step.

Sessions will include:

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  • East Coast Consumer Trends in Hard Cider
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This intensive workshop will also include a benchmark tasting of fruit ciders lead by Penn State Enologist Denise Gardner. Following the workshop networking and socializing with cider makers and industry professionals will be available.

“Hard cider production has grown rapidly and has the ability to diversity and expand an existing fruit operation for increased profitability,” Tara Baugher, co-team leader of the Penn State Tree Fruit and Grape Production Extension Program says.

Speakers include:

  • Eric Shatt has a degree in Agrobiology and is Cornell University’s Orchard and Research Farms Manager. His passion is making hard cider and tending his own biodynamic orchard. Redbyrd Orchard Cider is a family-run orchard and cidery that grows heirloom, wild seedling, and European cider apples to produce distinct hand-crafted ciders.
  • Mary Bigham is an award-winning publisher and producer of culinary content. Dish LLC operates TheTownDish.com, an online food and lifestyle publication and Dish Works, a culinary content agency.
  • Carla Snyder leads an effort to bolster new and diversifying hard cider producers with the skills and research they need to start their business. She helped form the Pennsylvania Cider Guild, a new trade organization for Pennsylvania cider producers geared toward education and promotion.
  • Denise Gardner is the Penn State Enology Extension Associate with years of experience in the wine industry and two wine quality certifications: Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certification from The Society of Wine Educators, and the Level 3 certification from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET). Gardner focuses on a range of sensory expertise and production options associated with various fermented beverages, including hard cider.

Space is limited and the registration deadline is Jan. 4. For more information contact Erin Dugan [email protected] or 717-334-6271, ext. 313. Registration is $120 and includes a social hour from 5-6 p.m.

Checks are payable to State Horticultural Association of PA to:
Maureen Irvin, Executive Secretary
State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania
480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353

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