Apple of my Eye
By: Jake | October 08, 2007 | Category: Home and Family
Happy Columbus Day!
Even though the temperature doesn't feel like it's dropping and the leaves haven't quite changed color, it's autumn. However the fruits of fall, apples and pumpkins, are ripe. I know this because after spending the weekend in the Shenandoah Valley for a wedding I made a quick detour to an apple orchard on the way home. It was very relaxing to pick fresh fruit and I would recommend it if you are looking for a fun weekend get away this month.
If you want to find an orchard near you, your best resource is your local United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension office. These offices can tell you where to find any agricultural product in your area and tell you what farms are certified organic. If you don't have time to go pick your own apples, USDA can help you find your closest Farmer's Market.
The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension office has created a thorough apple resource with nutritional information and fun facts. Though I haven't tried any, the Washington State Apple Commission has a great number of apple recipes. That apple strudel looks pretty tasty to me.
Permalink | View Comments [4] | E-mail This Entry | Tags: agriculture apples cooperative extension fall farmer's markets usda
Posted by Eunice on October 09, 2007 at 11:18 AM EDT
Here in Northern Michigan, it's a bountiful year in the old abandoned orchards, trees so lush and full of perfect fruit that the boughs are breaking. I have to admit to tasting a few here and there!
If you love apples the way I do, you'll enjoy the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection online at the National Agricultural Library. http://www.nal.usda.gov/speccoll/. The 300 images of fruit are part of a larger collection produced between 1886 and 1900. If you can't pick apples, you can enjoy them here. Comment Permalink
Posted by RIC on October 09, 2007 at 01:12 PM EDT
Check it out from their home page: http://ric.nal.usda.gov and the right hand navigation - "I Want To..." box.
Comment Permalink
Posted by Jake on October 10, 2007 at 08:58 AM EDT
Posted by Mary Ann at NAL's InfoFarm on October 11, 2007 at 02:56 PM EDT