Sep 16 2024 52 mins
Apple picking season probably generates fun memories for many people; it does for me. Apple picking definitely embodies agritourism. And Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont is an eco-certified heirloom apple oasis. The farm is rich in history - it was settled in 1791 and the orchards were planted in 1911 and now bear over 130 varieties of apples, many of which are heirloom. Scott Farm is a for-profit working farm which is owned by The Landmark Trust USA, a nonprofit historic preservation organization which was gifted the 571 acre property in 1995.
Today, Scott Farm is led by General Manager Simon Renault and Orchardist Erin Robinson. The orchard is a living, breathing ecosystem that is managed with biological and cultural methods which produce healthy, high quality fruits. The community can visit the farm, enjoy their beautiful grounds, pick apples, shop at the farmers market, eat at their outdoor cafe, drink cidars produced at their cider mill, tour the property, enjoy community events, and celebrate their own events.
Although I definitely understand the hard work involved in farming, I never really understood much about apples - even after all the years of visiting orchards and apple picking. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to educate me about apples during all of those apple picking adventures. This presents a significant opportunity for apple orchards to embrace agritourism in an even more immersive way. My inspiring conversation with Simon and Erin gave me a whole new appreciation for the intricacies involved in apple growing and a renewed interest in learning more about apples. The next time you go apple picking, talk to the farmers and orchardists or take a tour if available, and learn more about what it takes to grow these gorgeous, healthy fruits.
Enjoy my conversation with Simon and Erin!
Scott Farm Orchard
Red Tomato
UVM Extension Resources
The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.