While reading up on developing a fruit orchard at The Farm, I came across this very detailed story about a couple who six or so years ago took over Musgrave Orchard north of Bloomington, Ind.
The article in Bloomington Alternative is a soup to nuts account of Farmgirl Amy and husband Andy’s life during peak apple harvest and cider season. The 15-hour days don’t sound all that attractive. Neither does doing all this work simply to feed the community. Admirable. But I think I’d want to see some profit for all that sweat and tears.
I’m pulling for them to get their not-for-profit status so they can continue to turn their CSA operation into an education enterprise. Sounds like they already do an enormous amount of orchard education there. Plus they’re going organic, which has to be a big change for an entire orchard.
And kudos to the previous owner, Robert Musgrave, for having the foresight to bring this couple in as apprentices, then sell it to them on contract.
Excellent way to transition without selling entirely to developers. Looks like the orchard was divided at some point, so the farm is getting an urban feel.
Note: The couple’s website is pretty out of date. The links lead to CSA signups from 2006.
Virtual Farmgirl 