The barn at Deer Lake Orchards.
Suddenly, the weekends belong to the apple orchards. They've figured out it's quite a business, luring familys with hot cider, mini-donuts, jumping goats and corn mazes. My cynical side bemoans the crowds and trampled fields and toddlers with farm cats in a love-strangle. But I am renewed when, during the wagon ride around the farm, I see pampered kids get mucky while learining about flax seed and amaranth and how corn goes from field to movie theater. If they can connect their caramel apples to a place where you can smell straw and see pink baby pigs, we're doing something right.
There are more listed on the Apple Journal [6], including my personal favorite Fall Harvest Orchard in Delano where we get to feed the cows.
Links:
[1] http://www.aftonapple.com/"target="_blank
[2] http://www.applejackorchards.com/"target="_blank
[3] http://www.applewoodorchard.com/"target="_blank
[4] http://www.deardorfforchards.com/"target="_blank
[5] http://www.emmakrumbees.com/"target="_blank
[6] http://www.applejournal.com/mn01.htm"target="_blank
[7] http://www.rakemag.com/advertising