How Do You Boost Profits And Extend Your Seasons?
November 1, 2007 Fall is my favorite time of year. From the crisp smell of leaves in the brisk, cool air to football Saturdays and carving pumpkins for Halloween, I look forward to the season every year. Part of that anticipation includes my family’s new fall tradition of visiting our local apple orchard, Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland, OH. The family owned orchard has been in business for decades and is now operated by the sixth generation of the Patterson family.
Because land in Chesterland, a rural town located 45 minutes east of Cleveland, is becoming more valuable and with the challenges of operating a profitable orchard in this day and age, Patterson Fruit Farm has had to evolve from a traditional family orchard to a tourist attraction. Every weekend in the fall, its farm market location is so busy with customers that the town’s police department has to be immediately on hand to direct traffic. From its wide selection of apple varieties to its delectable offerings in the bakery — including pies made to order, turnovers, and doughnuts — not to mention the fresh, voluntarily pasteurized apple cider and pumpkin patch with a view of Lake Erie, Patterson’s has become the place to be.
The Patterson Family Fun Fest at its pick-your-own location is the main attraction, with hours of family friendly activities available from wagon rides to the eat-an-apple-without-your-hands game. The place is packed every weekend, rain or shine, and lower admission rate weekdays also draw a crowd.
My family ventured out to the Family Fun Fest in late September, shortly after the festivities kicked off for the season, and we plan to return again at least two more times before Halloween. My 20-month-old daughter, Keira, had a blast on the 600-bale straw pile with all the slides and tunnels. We had to get her face painted on both cheeks and we couldn’t get her out of the tractor playhouse. She loved the draft horses pulling a wagon through the orchard and the wagon ride back to the market. It was a great and memorable day, one that we will cherish and repeat through the season with other adventures at the festival and at Patterson’s other locations.
Extended Seasons For Extended Sales
One thing I thought was genius is Patterson’s market at the entrance to the Family Fun Fest, where visitors can pick up a peck of apples or a quart of maple syrup and other miscellany. The tractor drops customers off right at the market door, and they have to walk through the market to get back to their cars. Everyone is usually so jazzed about the fun they had that they’re more than willing to pay a few extra dollars to buy top-quality apples and cider. The operation keeps its customers abreast of the activities there on its Web site, www.pattersonfarm.com, and customers can even order apples and other goods online to ship to loved ones over the holidays. The farm market’s bakery sells Thanksgiving and Christmas pies for the baking- or time-challenged and keeps Patterson’s busy through the end of the year.
Living so close to Patterson Fruit Farm, it’s easy to sing the orchard’s praises, but we at American/Western Fruit Grower would love to hear about your orchard’s activities to boost profits and extend your seasons. E-mail me at [email protected] to share your ideas.
Subscribe Today For
