Red Jacket Orchard's site has long been on part of a longstanding tradition of fruit production. Dating back to the turn of the last century, the farm site had been a fruit processing cannery for pie cheeries and other fruits. Even earlier than this, the Native Americans of the Seneca Nation were growing fruits introduced to the region by Europeans on some of the same land farmed today. The unique growing conditions, a microclimate, regulated by its natural slope and very deep Seneca Lake acts as a thermostat This has allowed for apricot production, unheard of in many parts of the northeast. Previously unconsiderable for such a tempermental tree, apricots have had some rough years but thrive during other seasons, and offer succulent beautifully colored, and fragrant fruit. They were first planted here in 1978, upon the recommendation of some Ontario Ministry of Agriculture fruit researchers. In 2003, Gourmet Magazine profiled Red Jacket's Apricot production. In addition to Apricots, the farm boosts a production of over 25 varieties of apples, the bulk of their treecrop - with some heirloom varieties. They also grow rhubarb, strawberries, cherries, sour cherries, raspberries, peaches, plums, pears, and asian pears. Other very popular products are their fresshley pressed, microbatched, sweet ciders and juice blends made with many of the fruits also grown at Red Jacket Orchards. They have been proud participants in direct, open-air, farmers' markets for over 30 years.
Pros: a family farm, easy to access along major highway, walk-in fruit cooler keeps apples their freshest
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