Deal’s Orchard field day will explore cider and pumpkin production
It’s almost the time of year for fallen leaves, apple cider and pumpkin patches. Deal’s Orchard has been an autumn tradition for Iowans for decades.
Deal’s Orchard is a fourth-generation apple orchard near Jefferson operated by Chris and Tracy Deal, Benji Deal, and Jerald and Cindy Deal. The first apple trees were planted at Deal’s Orchard in 1917. Since then, the orchard has involved four generations of the Deal family, and has diversified beyond apples to include a range of enterprises.
Now a popular family agritourism destination, the orchard today has 45 acres of apple trees—including 25 apple varieties—as well as sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and Christmas trees. The Deals also produce fresh and hard cider, and apple cider doughnuts.
The Deal family will share their experiences with cider and pumpkin production at a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day they are hosting on Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon (1102 224th St., 3 miles west of town).
The event—“Cider and Pumpkins at Historic Deal’s Orchard”—is free and will include lunch. RSVPs are appreciated for the meal to Debra Boekholder, (515) 232-5661 or[email protected], by Sept. 10.
The field day will focus on how the Deal family manages two aspects of their diversified farm: pumpkin production, and the processing and marketing of fresh and hard cider.
In addition to selling at the farm, Deal’s Orchard apples, fresh cider and hard cider can be found at grocery stores throughout central Iowa. Their hard cider can be found on tap at many popular spots in the Des Moines area, including the Iowa Taproom, el Bait Shop, Fox Brewing and New American Brewing Co.
Directions from Jefferson: Head west at the intersection of IA Hwy 4 and County Road E53 / W Lincoln Way (at the Shell station) and go 1.2 miles to the T intersection. Turn right (west) on 237th Street / Co Rd E53, go 2.2 miles and turn left (south) on K Avenue (a gravel road). The farm will be on the left in 0.25 mile. A parking lot is available on the farm.
Deal’s Orchard is open to the public from July through December. Please follow the PFI field day signs to join the field day.
Practical Farmers’ 2018 field days are supported by several sustaining and major sponsors, including: Albert Lea Seed; Applegate Natural & Organic Meats; Blue River Organic Seed; Cascadian Farms; Center for Rural Affairs; Farm Credit Services of America; Gandy Cover Crop Seeders; Grain Millers, Inc.; Green Cover Seed; Green Thumb Commodities; Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance; Iowa Beef Center; Iowa State University Department of Agronomy; Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE); ISU Extension and Outreach; La Crosse Forage and Turf Seed; MOSA Organic Certification; Natural Resources Defense Council; Organic Valley / Organic Prairie; PepsiCo; Pipeline Foods; Premier 1 Supplies; Sunrise Foods International; The DeLong Company; The Fertrell Company; The Scoular Company; Unilever; University of Iowa College of Public Health (I-CASH); USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service; Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture; and Welter Seed & Honey Co.