Gourmet Small Batch Apple Cider & Apple Butter
Planned, produced, packaged, and promoted with help from talented people with disabilites
On the farm, there happened to be a large apple orchard which wasn't producing fruit. Farm living was a great change for our whole family, and over time, we began to take better care of our orchard. Then, "applemaggeden" began to arrive each fall. There were more apples then we could pick, enjoy, and give away!
We began to wonder if we could parlay our orchard in to something more meaningful, so a partnership was struck with our son's school, Melmark. Each week in the fall, a number of students with intellectual disabilities from Melmark come to pick, sort, wash, and assist with the production, and delivery, of our Apple Butter and Apple Cider. They are very proud of their hard work and products! Later we added the business talents of students with Autism from the Hill Top School. They help with researching resources for the supplies we need, helping create business and marketing plans, financial accounting, and selling our products.