Announcing… the Harvest Moon Cider Mill at Critz Farms

Many of you already know us for pumpkin picking, Christmas trees, and maple syrup, and now we have put our agritourism expertise to work in the apple business! The Cider Mill and pick-your-own apple venture has been a huge success! We now have 1800 apple trees!

Please note: With our apologies we are sad to report that we will not be offering pick-your-own apples this season! Unfortunately, we had severe crop damage due to the hard frost in May when the trees were in full blossom. To solve the problem and avoid future crop loss, we are investing in special equipment and machinery to protect the trees from frost damage. We expect a great crop next season!! We will have fresh, locally grown apples available for sale, and will continue to produce our delicious sweet cider!

The Harvest Moon Cider Mill at Critz Farms will open its doors on Saturday, September 18th, this year. Sweet apple cider will be pressed on an antique Boomer & Boschert, 48" x 48" four screw press. The press, circa 1890's, was made in Syracuse, NY, and was originally used at a water powered cider mill in Pennsylvania. We acquired the press in 2006 and have made significant renovations to meticulously and authentically restore it. The press is line shaft driven and is currently powered by an electric motor. Visitors can watch all the steps of the cider production and will be intrigued by the noisy series of conveyor belts, gears, and belts used to move the apples through the process of being washed, ground, spread, pressed, UV treated, and bottled to produce farm fresh delicious sweet apple cider.

This historical machinery is one of the last operating four screw cider presses in New York State. It is designed to press over 1000 gallons of cider per day, using 25 bushels of apples to make about 75 gallons of cider per press. Cider pressing demonstrations will take place on weekend days from 10-4 during our annual Fall Harvest Celebration.

Fresh, hot apple cider mini-donuts will also be available.

For the last few years, we have allowed visitors can take a hayride to pick their own apples from our newly established orchard. We have planted "dwarf" trees to allow for easy, ladder free picking. Access to the orchard has been limited to weekends while supplies last. The farm grows Cortland, Empire, Macoun, Macintosh and Honey Crisp apples. Since establishing an orchard takes time, the production will increase each year over the next few years and additional picking times may be offered.

Don't forget to include a stop in the Cider Mill and bring home some sweet fresh Critz Farms apple cider!

Please join our e-mail list by clicking the green button at the bottom of the menu bar! Find out when each crop is ready and what special events we have planned. (We promise to only send out a few each year!) Thanks!

 

Member of Captain Jack's
Christmas Tree Farm Network