Peach crop popular on some Vt farms
August 18,2012
SHELBURNE — Some Vermont farmers say they’ve been motivated to grow more peaches due to changing weather patterns.
Bill Suhr of Champlain Orchards in Shoreham has invested in three acres of peach trees over the last three years, leading up to his orchard’s first full crop this summer. He sells them at his farmstand and at the Intervale Food Hub and retail outlets.
Suhr said he hoped to bring in some summer cash flow before the apple season. He also was encouraged by the increasing availability of hardy varieties that withstand colder climates.
Shelburne Orchards offers peaches from its 600 trees on a pick-your-own basis once a week — and the parking lot gets filled fast.