At Sandisfield Orchard this year, two large projects were completed, and others are underway.

The most noticeable change is the renovation of the 100-year-old main barn. The barn is believed to date back to the early 20th Century, likely predating the farmhouse that sits across the driveway. The original 30 x 40 ft. structure had received many additions over the years, including a series of lean-tos when the farm expanded dairy operations in the 1960s and more recent additions to house logging equipment and a chicken coop.

With work on the barn finished this summer, the building now more closely resembles its original form, including the cedar-shingle siding.

The Main Barn circa 1940." (Photo: courtesy of Sandisfield Orchard.)

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"We have an old photo from the 1940s that shows the barn before all of the additions," said Calvin Rodman. "We used that photo as a guide during the renovation. We're hoping that the building is ready for another 100 years, and we're excited to move into the much-needed space."

For now, the building will house the farm's workshop, but Emily Melchoir and Calvin, the farm's owners, hope that the building could be used in the future for small events, and for customers to enjoy the views from the old hayloft. Continuing construction includes a dedicated building for pressing cider and a tractor barn, both being built by Ben Naylor, owner of Cherry Brook Construction, based here in Sandisfield.

The other large project this year was the planting of a new pick-your-own apple lot.

The new lot features almost 700 freestanding trees, planted in slightly tighter rows this spring. "Last year, our focus was on planting cider varieties, but this year we wanted to plant more familiar pick-your-own varieties at the center of the farm," said Orchard Manager Joe Pappas.

More than 700 new trees were planted this spring.
(Photo: courtesy of Sandisfield Orchard.)

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New plantings include lots more Honeycrisp, Macoun, Mutsu, and Liberty, as well as many varieties new to the farm such as Ambrosia, Esopus, Spitzenberg, Wealthy, Crimson Crisp, Granny Smith, Northern Spy, Ginger Gold, and Egremont Russet.

The new block represents the largest planting at the orchard since the first 1,500 trees were planted in the early 1990s. With 100 trees planted in 2024, 400 in 2025, and an additional 200 planted this year in other lots, the orchard now shows a contrast between new and old. Some of the young trees are expected to have a small crop as early as next year.

Although apples will always be the focus, Emily Melchior explained that other fruits will also be an important part of the farm's future business.

"Peaches, pears, and nectarines will eventually be available in August, after blueberry season, but before the apples are ripe," she said.

"We had a great blueberry season, and we've having a great apple season despite the rain. A well-timed early stretch of cool nights and sunny days created some of the best fruit color we've ever seen."

Cider donuts and sandwiches returned to the cafe for the fall season. The Orchard is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9-5, through the end of October.

You can find the orchard on New Hartford Road. If you approach from the north, it is a simply glorious sight as you pass over the last hill and the orchard spreads out ahead of you.

The Main Barn before renovation."
(Photo: courtesy of Sandisfield Orchard.)

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