The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

This Pennsylvania farm family tends its orchard with love and joy.

- Rachelle Emmett Grove City, Pennsylvania

It’s harvest time at Emmett’s Orchard. Thank you for visiting our apple orchard here in our quaint town of Grove City, Pennsylvania. My husband, Joe, and I live on a small farm with our five children, Sawyer, 13; Larynn, 11; Clay, 7; Wayde, 4; and Wesly, 1. We homeschool, and our school year lasts from December to August so that our kids are home and free to be a part of what we do here in the fall. As soon as the children are able, they take part in pressing cider, making pies, picking the apples, running the register, and their favorite: playing with the kids who stop out for a visit. Our parents and siblings also spend time as “employees” and help when needed. When we bought ground in 1997 and built our home, we had a desire to use the land in some special way. An article about an apple orchard sparked Joe’s interest. Much time was spent in prayer and reading, and we decided to plant a small orchard and see what would come of it.

Our cider mill and country shop have been open for business for 11 years. Over time, they have grown and become something we never dreamed they would. We have 500 apple trees, 56 peach trees, a gift shop, a cider mill and an animal barn. We also make and sell about 1,000 apple pies and a couple of thousand apple turnovers during September and October. While there is much work to do all year, fall is our busiest season. We invite you to experience a little taste of what life is like at an apple orchard.

Opening Day Is Here!

SEPT. 1 It’s opening day for the 2016 fall season! Joe hung “open” signs while I headed to the ciderhouse kitchen to bake pies and turnovers that were assembled and frozen in August. This month and next, people will buy fresh baked goods from our shop and frozen pies to bake at home.