Massachusetts - Farms & Orchards

A day on the farm is just a short drive from the city

Two hundred years ago, most Americans lived and worked down on the farm. Today, most of us tap into our rural heritage by tuning in to re-runs of “Petticoat Junction” or visiting the county fair once a year for a whiff of horse dander. Here’s the happy news: there are working farmers among us – even in urban states – and it is their pleasure to host visitors to the farm every season of the year. In New England, “agritourism” takes the form of visits to fruit orchards, vineyards, and pick-your-own farms. New England farmers open their gates to families and children and all manner of visitors, offering apples and berries, cider, wine, maple products, donuts and baked goods. Farmers also offer activities, demonstrations, and good times: hay rides, sleigh rides, fruit picking, Christmas tree cutting, cider pressing, animal petting, bird watching, and more. Remember: Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) was born near Leominster, Massachusetts, and he did, indeed, plant apple orchards throughout the upper Midwest. So the next time you bite into a rosy McIntosh, make a note to visit the place it came to life. Take sturdy shoes, love for the outdoors, and curiosity about country living. The farm will do the rest.

Bolton Orchards
125 Still River Road, Jct 110 & 117
Bolton, MA  01740  
Phone: 978- 779-2733
Fax: 978- 779-6844
Email: customerservice@boltonorchards.com
   

A fifth generation farm in Bolton Massachusetts, Bolton Orchards is much more than a country store. Today, 250 acres are in active production, yielding many varieties of apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, plums, sweet corn, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins. The Orchard also produces two unique varieties of fresh pressed cider. A full line of groceries, baked goods, and a deli compliment the produce. The deli offers daily specialties, a variety of prepared foods, meats, cheese and salads. Bolton Orchards also offers fruit baskets, shippable gifts, fresh flowers, seasonal bedding plants, Christmas Trees and in season potted plants. We are now serving, Bliss Dairy’s old fashioned hard scooped ice cream. Open year round 8 – 6, seasonal extended hours for Ice Cream Window (please call ahead).

Carlson Orchards
115 Oak Hill Road
Harvard, MA  01451  
Phone: 978-456-3916
Toll-Free: 800-286-3916
Email: fcarlson@carlsonorchards.com

Carlson Orchards was founded in 1936 by Walter and Eleanor Carlson. In the late sixties, the farm specialized in fruits with apples being the main crop. Carlson Orchards is a 140 acre working farm run by the second generation of Carlsons. The Carlsons are dedicated to growing the best tree fruits, blueberries, raspberries, and pumpkins as well as producing the best tasting apple cider available anywhere. Carlson Orchards now grows fruit on 140 acres producing 40,000 bushels of apples, 5,000 baskets of peaches and nectarines and over 500,000 gallons of apple cider annually. Pick your own fruit offered to the public seasonally. The retail store is open 10 to 5 daily. "Pick Your Own" closes promptly at 5 pm.

Keown Orchards
9 McClellan Rd
Sutton, MA  01590  
Phone: 508-865-6706
Email: mail@keownorchards.com
   

Growers of Quality Fruit Since 1924

A great place for family fun! Keown Farms is a 4th generation family business located on 175 acres of pristine farmland in Worcester County. Open daily from April through Christmas, the farm offers a wide variety of apples as well as pears, peaches, and many other fruits and vegetables. The farm hosts birthday parties, wagon rides and conducts tours by tractor or trailer by appointment only. Keown Farms makes their very special brand of apple blossom & wild flower honey from the farm's hives. The farm grows herbs, annuals & perennials and has fresh-cut flowers daily in season and, Pick-Your-Own apples and pumpkins in the Fall.