We recently inherited a farm about an hour northeast of Pittsburgh. The previous farmer only grew corn, didn’t rotate, and rarely paid us, so we ended the verbal lease the end of last year. Since then, no one has been interested in farming it — the property is fairly wet in spots and a bit remote.
Our plan is to turn 5–6 acres of the 15 into an orchard, primarily apples with the possibility of other fruits down the line. There aren’t any pick-your-own orchards nearby, so we see potential in that direction. Soil tests from Penn State recommended nitrogen per tree. On the business side, we’re covered (we own a construction company and a cabinet/furniture shop), and I’d like to keep things as organic as possible (my background is in environmental science).
I’ve been researching grants and loans for farmland preservation and women-owned farms to see if there was any help with starting up
I’d love advice on:
Best sources to order apple (or other fruit) trees — ideally for planting next spring
Recommended apple varieties for our region
Equipment you’ve found essential (vs. nice-to-have) when starting out
Whether hiring management or consulting help is worthwhile in the early years
Tips for managing organically (or as close as possible)
Any lessons learned or resources you wish you had starting an orchard
Also, I personally love pawpaws (fellow Ohio University alums would understand!) and would be interested in planting them if it makes sense.
Not a lot of acerage and needs some work as most farms do. But if it we’re me… I’d dig a pond in the low spot and fence in two cattle pastures for a small herd. You can graze one pasture and hay the other, then rotate. Cattle are awesome for the land, plus they are mighty tasty . leave some high ground for a orchard as most fruit trees suffer in low land.
Ha, my husband would love an excuse to have cattle. He really wants Highland cows, though. He used to farm hay back in his younger days. We technically have 80 acres of this land and 12 more acres half a mile down the street, but the remaining land is mostly forest, wetland (a high-quality creek runs through our property), and our house, barn, shop, and yard. I suppose we could always clear some of the forest part (which is the majority of the acres) of it since it is low diversity, secondary growth from when they clear cut it (mostly hawtorns, Autumn Olive, and more invasive honeysuckles).
Goats will take care of a lot of that and beside all they really do, is eat all the time anyways. Look into dairy goats breeds. It might be work doing.
Tell your husband he doesn’t need to be a hero. Highlanders have some serious horns, lots of other breeds with no horns (polled) are better (for me).
Looks beautiful! All my apples are pretty much duds. I’ve tried near 20 varieties starting in '08. Mostly big-name apples and some heritage. From what I can tell, Macintosh may be a winner. Wolf River seems to grow well, but it has not produced any apples yet and is 12 feet tall.
It may take a long time for your apples to produce, so figure that into the biz plan. My goal is to be like Fruitnut and get a big greenhouse and grow some in-ground fig trees in it. Lotto won’t cooperate!
You want disease free heavy producers…get Asian pear trees. Hosui, Raja and Korean Giant.
Lol…Goats are high maintenance. Especially dairy goats who need constant and consistent care. Goats and eating stuff can kill them as well. They bloat easily.
Boers are fairly easy managing except the bucks can be a handful. There is a large market{meat} for them here. We have African Pygmies and Nigerian Pygmies. Both sell well. Nigerians make outstanding nutrient rich milk but are tough milking due to short plump udders.
We are starting on Mini Lamacha goats now. A true dairy breed.
Our neighbors have traveled all over the country buying their mini-cow herd.Those cute Chandra positive gene babies sell rapidly. Like 5,6,7 thousand dollars each. Rarely does one last 3 months on the ranch.
You would be surprised. Most of the Mini-cow craze is toward the mid-east part of the country.
Hey neighbor! Sounds like we are on a similar path in a similar location. I know some other folks who would probably be interested in helping with ideas on your project, you should post in the Pittsburgh regional chat thread too.
My buddy has a farm in Plain Grove transitioning to agroforestry from animals (not on the forum), @TJ_westPA is probably very close to you growing many awesome things.
I’m NOT focused on ‘traditional’ crops like apples, pears, peaches etc., simply because I don’t have the time and energy to spray and maintain extra stuff when other options exist, but will be growing some for diversity. My strategy/vision is not typical for a pick your own setup, though.
I highly recommend applying for a Horizon Farm Credit grant; My operation was selected for one this year and would be happy to offer advice on the process. USDA funding I intended to apply for was eliminated, both for agroforestry and energy based on my understanding. I’m hopeful that changes but not optimistic.
I just found out my husband said we are getting 5 Boer goats in October when they are 9 weeks? There is one billy but we are going to get him neutered since we am need them for land management.
Ahh yeah that is about 45 min to an hour from us east! So they have something set up already we can stop by? We are closer to the Armstrong / Butler Co line.
Oh thank you! I would love to discuss that. I was hoping to apply to grants if I can to help start and maintain.
I saw he does a lot with Pawpaws!! He also talked about spicebush, which was always my favorite bush when I worked as a biologist and I was hoping to plant some for old times sake.
Hi! Nice to meet you! Yes, I am in Armstrong County. Sorry I haven’t responded in this thread yet. I intend to write a post at some point in response to some of the topics you are asking advice on, I’ve just been busy lately. I’ll be busy through the next week. I’m picking a lot of fruit right now. The pawpaws and figs are ripening very rapidly with the warm weather and I am saving up as many pawpaw as I can to take to the Duncansville, PA pawpaw festival this Sunday.
. leave some high ground for a orchard as most fruit trees suffer in low land.
