Thank you!
There is much about 2020 we can complain about, but we can't complain about a successful apple and blueberry season. Thanks for all the smiles, conversations and patronage. See you next year!
About Us
Vermont living at its best!
Stony Grove is a new apple and blueberry farm, nestled in Pleasant Valley just 5 miles west of Smugglers Notch. Dick and Anne, having lived in Essex Vermont since 1990, purchased the "Pratt Farm"(circa 1850), in 2015. Their hard work cultivating hundreds of apple trees and blueberry bushes over the past 5 years has created Stony Grove Apple and Blueberry U-Pick. Both Dick and Anne have a love for creativity, entertaining and community. 2019 was the first year of marketable produce and each year the plants are providing more delicious fruit. The farm stand in the barn offers picked berries and apples along with cut flowers, eggs, honey, apple cider vinegar, and other delicious treats. Dick and Anne hope people will enjoy their quintessential farmhouse property with its vast mountain views, opportunities for learning and community connection.
New in 2020
Our new farm adventure is starting to take shape. This year, our doors will open to a new space in the upper barn. We will be offering U-Pick along with homemade items like old fashion apple butter, apple cider vinegar, jams and jellies, baked goods and more. We offer farm fresh eggs and honey as long as supplies last. We will have space to picnic, and our fields are open for exploration. Our minds are spinning with ideas for entertainment, learning demonstrations, guest rooms and more. So come make a day of it, relax, and bring a friend or two.
"Community and friends", that's why we grow apples and blueberries.
Our orchard is young but we were proud to have had our first pick in 2019. While some varieties are still maturing for produce we have many varieties now and on the horizon.
Apples:
Macintosh, Empire, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Liberty, Crimson gold, Evercrisp and Gala.
Our cider cultivars (not yet old enough for fruiting) include: Gold rush, Hewe's Virginia Crab, Wickson, Medaille d'Or, Harrison, Dabinett, Harry Masters Jersey, Chisel Jersey and Black Oxford.
We also have 1200 high bush blueberries! If that's not enough, Dick just planted a more!
Covid-19 for U-Pick Farms
Best Practices
Events for this season will be postponed to avoid larger numbers of persons in close proximity.
Masks are not necessary in the fields, as they are not protective to healthy people, but prevent the spread of the virus from sick people. If you have a fever or are not felling well, or if you have had a close encounter with a sick person, test positive, please refrain from picking.
Cleaning and disinfecting
Hand washing station for washing hands before entering the field and upon exiting.
Our personal bathroom is available this year if needed.
Pets are not allowed, however we have a large kennel in the barn for your pet to relax while you pick. Leash required.
Proper spacing of pickers will be required and families are to pick together.
Eating apples and blueberries while picking is discouraged.
Personal containers cannot be used to collect fruit or weigh fruit. However the customer can transfer to their personal container after transaction.
Blueberry collection containers are disinfected between guests.
The Good News
Covid-19 is not a foodborne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission, not eating. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people or coming into contact with high touch surfaces.
FAQs
Questions you have will be posted here so all can benefit.