Our second field trip was to Fifer’s Orchards. We had the chance to go on a tour of the farms at Fifer’s and it was very interesting to see how this multi-generation family run farm works. I was surprised to find out that their biggest money maker was sweet corn and pumpkins, not apples. It was amazing to hear about all the diversity in the crops, fruits, and vegetables that they are growing during the year. We also had the chance to see the packaging and sorting area for the apples. The technology that is used is so advanced and allows them to be more efficient. They have a camera that takes pictures of the apples and sorts them by size and color, which reduces the amount of labor that must be done. We also had the chance to learn about CSAs, which are Community Service Agriculture clubs. Fifer’s CSA gives them a chance to promote the events coming up at the Orchards and to introduce Fifer’s to people who do not know about it. Their CSA consists of an 18-week long period where they put together a produce box with the produce grown at Fifer’s and local farms. They include recipes, unusual produce, and fliers in the box to promote their business and teach people how to use their produce. It was amazing to see how successful Fifer’s has become.
Our second field trip was held at fifers Orchards. We were given the opportunity of a thorough tore throughout the farm at the orchard, were they grew both fruits and vegetables. It was surprising that pumpkins were among those crops that bring in the greatest income as well as sweet corn. I was very impressed with Fifers’ social media out reaches as they used multiple social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to try and reach out to more potential customers. We got to see firsthand in the assembly lines of apples, where they were boxed by a certain grading standard and those seen unfit to consumption standards are sent to be used for juice or to be disposed of. What I found most interesting was all the different types of apples that they grew at Fifers throughout the seasons. Honey crisp being my favorite of all others grown.