You see another another couple invited us to join them and journey across the river Saturday evening to the Minnesota side of the Mississippi to enjoy the solstice celebration on an organic farm, Hoch Orchard & Gardens on this 'crisp' evening. We bundled up in our winter gear and off we went to see what we would see...
I have to admit we were really the only ones that enjoyed the bonfire for any length of time as the additional two dozen hardy smart souls stayed inside the operations building which houses a kitchen area and distilling equipment along with walk in storage.
Inside the operations building there awaited us an amazing home cooked local dinner buffet provided by the Hochs and their staff.
Duck, stewed wine venison, buttered baby potatoes, baked squash, cabbage with horseradish, pork and for dessert apple crisp and a mulled wine.
We ate at communal tables and sat on chairs and crates. Across from me sat a Dad and his second grade son from La Crosse who I might add highly recommended the apple crisp.
Jackie Hoch welcomed us to not only eat and taste test their orchard wines and ciders but most important of all 'visit.'
I'll admit I spent time visiting with their international interns from Spain and France whose desire to improve their English and further organic farming knowledge intrigued me. They came on student visas and take an Ag course at the U of Minnesota as part of their internship in addition to working on the farm. Fascinating to come across continents to study organic farming, huh?
Hoch wines and cider were not only available for tasting but purchasing as well. Their orchard fruit trees include apple, apricot, cherry and plum in addition to growing blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Honey, juice, vinegars, jelly and sauce also fill their cooler cases.
The original fruit trees were planted in the 40's but very few of them are still around. High density planting of some 50 varieties of fruit trees has taken place in the last 15 years. About half of the 90 acres is dedicated to the orchard with about 10,000 trees.
Hoch Orchard has been a family farm since the 50's but it was in '97 when their present owner, grandson of the hobby farmer, returned with Ag degrees to convert the farm practices to a real organic sustainable orchard, not an easy feat in our Midwestern climate.
How organic are they? Apples are cleaned and packed on the farm. No ripening agents, growth stimulants, waxing, shellac nor post harvest pesticides are used. To help with pest control chicken, duck, geese and pigs are also raised and rotated through the garden beds and orchard.
We had a great time being introduced to Hoch Orchard and look forward to an open house visit/tour during a warmer season. This is a working farm and one needs to call ahead, not just drop by as the deer gate will most certainly be closed. Hoch products can be found at area farmer markets and CSA's are also now a possibility.
I have to admit the sky was beautiful, great local food and company and most important of all we came home with a piece of Hoch Orchard, Ice Cider to commemorate the Winter Solstice of 2016.
*To learn more about the Hoch Orchard and Gardens you can click on their site:HOCH ORCHARD & GARDENS
I have to admit we were really the only ones that enjoyed the bonfire for any length of time as the additional two dozen hardy smart souls stayed inside the operations building which houses a kitchen area and distilling equipment along with walk in storage.
Inside the operations building there awaited us an amazing home cooked local dinner buffet provided by the Hochs and their staff.
Duck, stewed wine venison, buttered baby potatoes, baked squash, cabbage with horseradish, pork and for dessert apple crisp and a mulled wine.  |
| Another first-cabbage with horseradish |
We ate at communal tables and sat on chairs and crates. Across from me sat a Dad and his second grade son from La Crosse who I might add highly recommended the apple crisp.
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| 20 yrs organic farming experience, Jackie left the Med Tech world |
Jackie Hoch welcomed us to not only eat and taste test their orchard wines and ciders but most important of all 'visit.'
I'll admit I spent time visiting with their international interns from Spain and France whose desire to improve their English and further organic farming knowledge intrigued me. They came on student visas and take an Ag course at the U of Minnesota as part of their internship in addition to working on the farm. Fascinating to come across continents to study organic farming, huh?
Hoch wines and cider were not only available for tasting but purchasing as well. Their orchard fruit trees include apple, apricot, cherry and plum in addition to growing blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Honey, juice, vinegars, jelly and sauce also fill their cooler cases.
The original fruit trees were planted in the 40's but very few of them are still around. High density planting of some 50 varieties of fruit trees has taken place in the last 15 years. About half of the 90 acres is dedicated to the orchard with about 10,000 trees.
 |
| aerial pic courtesy of web site |
How organic are they? Apples are cleaned and packed on the farm. No ripening agents, growth stimulants, waxing, shellac nor post harvest pesticides are used. To help with pest control chicken, duck, geese and pigs are also raised and rotated through the garden beds and orchard.
We had a great time being introduced to Hoch Orchard and look forward to an open house visit/tour during a warmer season. This is a working farm and one needs to call ahead, not just drop by as the deer gate will most certainly be closed. Hoch products can be found at area farmer markets and CSA's are also now a possibility.
I have to admit the sky was beautiful, great local food and company and most important of all we came home with a piece of Hoch Orchard, Ice Cider to commemorate the Winter Solstice of 2016.
*To learn more about the Hoch Orchard and Gardens you can click on their site:HOCH ORCHARD & GARDENS
Hmmm...cabbage with horseradish. That sounds good, I'll have to try it.
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