Autumn means apples: u-pick season begins in Newfield

Upon moving to Tompkins County in 2001 from Southwest Florida, I was immediately informed by all of my neighbors that my first order of business should be to visit the ever-charming and iconic Littletree Orchards in Newfield just south of my new home.

Within my first week, I was whisked away to see my very first orchard with a pack of new, eager friends. Thus began my obsessive journey to learn all that I could about this beautiful region, sparked by one of the most scenic and lovely locations I have ever been to.

Recently having returned to visit Littletree, I was delighted to see it was bigger and even more beautiful than the last time I had come. The 2021 fall season has been self-declared by Littletree as a “short but sweet one.”

After spending a few hours enjoying and exploring what this beautiful orchard has to offer, I can attest that description perfectly fits my experience. Littletree is an oasis readily available to all who are looking for an authentic rustic farming experience away from a daunting, hectic world.

The 2021 growing season for Littletree has been a challenging one due to the high levels of rain seen this year. With a strong emphasis on remaining as organic as possible, the orchard is committed to staying a low spray farm. To adhere to these long-standing practices, Littletree has limited the number of apples available and shortened its u-pick season to only weekend hours.

After purchasing the land in 1973, plans were swiftly in place to start cultivating an orchard. By 1975, Littletree launched its first u-pick season open to the public. Specializing in a wide variety of apples, the public can experience picking their own as well as partaking in what has grown to be a collection of visual and culinary delights sold in the quaint barn located at the entrance.

Colorful dried bouquets hang artfully for purchase from the ceiling, beams and walls, and beneath them are tantalizing shelves of apple butter, raw organic vinegar, apple chips, apple cider and freshly house-made donuts for sale.

With all of these items that are grown, sourced, processed and made on the very land you’re standing on, you can experience these treats right from the source and take home pieces of this beautiful place to enjoy long after you’ve left, creating a truly memorable experience.

Despite the challenges of keeping a timely and consistent production due to limitations regarding staffing as well as packaging supplies, Littletree has remained committed to keeping things as organic as possible and maintaining a low level of waste and continued sustainability.

Amara Steinkraus, orchard manager, has even procured a non-GMO, corn-sugar-free, pure cane sugar caramel for the relaunch of caramel apples this season.

“I love and am grateful for this land and being able to grow up on it,” she said. “It’s amazing to live in an area with so many farms and so many restaurants participating in farm-to-table experiences.”

Despite the challenges the pandemic has presented, Steinkraus feels optimistic for the future and is exploring new concepts and possibilities for the orchard in an ever-changing, unpredictable landscape.

“We were lucky in the way that we were classified at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 as an essential business,” she said. “This allowed people to come out and be in open spaces with fresh air and sunshine. It also seemed that people were returning to preserving, canning and putting up food more than in past years due to the concerns with the pandemic regarding food.”

With a love that is evident when speaking of the orchard, Steinkraus is exploring ways to not only expand but to adapt to unexpected changes.

“I am considering turning part of the barn into a massage therapy and holistic medicine area as well as considering offering the orchard for booking events,” Steinkraus shared when discussing the future of the orchard in uncertain times.

With the season officially kicking off on Labor Day weekend, the farm will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October. In addition, they will be offering tractor rides on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Appointments for other days or times can be set up by calling Littletree Orchards at (607) 564-9246.

For those who wish to experience what the farm has to offer but can’t get there, Littletree also has a booth at the Ithaca Farmers Market. Their cider is available year-round at all GreenStar Co+op locations. In addition, items can be ordered through the Littletree Orchards website at: littletree-orchards.com. Littletree Orchards is located at 345 Shaffer Rd.