This summer, it will again be open to visitors despite fear by some that last fall’s harvest was its final; the land had been sold to a developer in 2005 but continued to operate as an orchard.
Instead, it lives on.
About two miles west of Jordan, Minnesota Harvest covers 280 acres and is home to more than 30,000 trees.
Instead of magnificent buildings, visitors this summer can expect to see the beauty of a hillside orchard with nearby buildings under renovation. The orchard will feel more like a park.
But in a matter of months, for some people, the apple picking season is the essence of autumn.
A new three-person investment management company started work at Minnesota Harvest this past winter under a three-year lease extension.
Kevin Knox, a partner in the management company, is working to save the orchard. He said people have called him thanking his company for keeping the orchard going – some in tears.
“We’ve started a massive cleanup,” said Knox, who owns and operates the Nicolin Mansion Bed and Breakfast in downtown Jordan with his wife, Terri. “The property was sold to developers. All the trees were going to get bowled over and they were going to put houses up here.”
Now, the company is restoring the orchard, though its ultimate fate will depend on the new management and, of course, the visitors.
Buildings that have fallen into disrepair are getting some major renovations starting this month. Eventually, the buildings that now show their age will offer full-service weddings, concert and other events.
The main building at the orchard will get extensive renovations. On the outside, a tower will be built on the front. The inside of the building will offer a customer service area, a sampling room and event seating, Knox said.
The orchard will officially open Aug. 1, though visitors can make appointments to poke around, hike or take photos before by calling.
You-pick apple picking starts in late August and continues through September. Already, baby apples can be seen growing in the orchard.
“Our primary goal is the harvest, is the apples,” Knox said. “This year we understand it’s going to be slow going.”
Yet, they still plan to have a corn maze and caramel apples, as well as allow people to do their own exploring on the trails and dirt roads that weave through the orchard’s thousands of trees.
“The trails will be definitely open for walks,” Knox said.
They want the orchard to feel like a park, he said, with a place for kids to play, perhaps an antique working farm and, of course, the apples.
“We like the idea of this being a park again,” Knox said.
Info: (952) 210-2593 or www.minnesotaharvest.net
What: It's opening again this year Aug. 1, though visitors can poke around before by calling first. Check the orchard's website this summer for event listings.
Location: Two miles west of Jordan, 8251 Old Highway 169 Blvd., St. Lawrence Township
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