Apple Hill facts for kids
Apple Hill is a special name for a group of 55 farms, called ranches, in California. These ranches are located in the Sierra Mountain foothills, near a town called Camino in El Dorado County. Since the 1960s, Apple Hill has grown to be California's biggest area for growing apples. It's also a very popular place for tourists to visit. People love its countryside feel, delicious apple products like pies and cider, and many other fun things to see and do.
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What is Apple Hill?
Apple Hill is a group of farms that work together. They are famous for growing apples and making tasty apple treats. It's a great place for families to visit, especially in the fall. You can pick apples, enjoy fresh cider, and explore the beautiful countryside.
How Apple Hill Started
In the early 1960s, many pear trees in the Camino area got sick. This encouraged farmers to start growing apples instead. A group of people decided to help these apple growers. This group included Gene Bolster, an apple farmer, and Dick Bethell, a farm expert for El Dorado County. Ed Delfino, the county's agriculture leader, and Bob Tuck, a retired army officer, also joined them. Together, they created the Apple Hill Growers Association.
Early Efforts to Promote Apple Hill
The team started their work in the middle of 1964. By August, they were ready for their first special picnic for news reporters. Each Apple Hill farm hosted a meal for some of the reporters. Many of these reporters became good friends with the farmers. The growers also gave out 50,000 paper litter bags at the state fair. They offered two pounds of free apples to anyone who brought a bag when they visited Apple Hill. This helped spread the word about the area.
Growing the Apple Hill Community
Apple Hill began with 16 original farms. Over time, it grew to include 55 ranches. Today, it's not just about apples! You can also find Christmas tree farms, wineries, vineyards, a small brewery, and even a spa. In 2001, local farmers produced more than 9,300 tons of apples. They also grew 2,494 tons of pears.
Special Places in Apple Hill
At Larsen Ranch, there is a very old apple tree called a Rhode Island Greening. Many people believe it is the oldest apple tree in all of El Dorado County.
