Ragged Hill Orchard

Founded in 1985, Ragged Hill Orchard is a 14-acre farm located on a hilltop overlooking the Pioneer Valley. The first fruit trees were planted over 35 years ago, and the orchard has since expanded to include a variety of apple, pear, peach, and nectarine trees, as well as pick-your-own raspberries and blueberries. Ragged Hill Orchard has been supplying colleges for almost 30 years and is a UMass Cooperator farm, hosting various PhD projects.

Owner Keith Arsenault employs Integrated Pest Management techniques, which result in less spraying and healthier fruit. The orchard grows many apple varieties, including traditional New England and heirloom cider apples, used in their hand-crafted heritage hard ciders. Cold storage units help preserve the freshness of the apples for many months after they are picked.

The orchard's country store sells locally made apple pies, dumplings, honey, and fruit, and is open through early March. A recent addition to the farm is an apple cider donut shack, where fresh cider donuts are baked every Saturday and Sunday. The orchard offers pick-your-own apples, raspberries, and blueberries, and their products are available for purchase in the farm store. The orchard is open 7 days a week from 9-5 during the fall apple season, with varying hours in summer and winter.