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The apple harvest at Kimmel Orchard in Nebraska City is underway and manager Erik Olson said he expects an average production of 20,000 to 25,000 bushels.
He said the growing season started a little cooler than normal and includes some extreme heat in July, but the orchard missed the hail suffered in other parts of Nebraska City and the Missouri River basin.
The cool spring set the apple maturity back about five days, but Olson said all the traditional early fall varieties will be ready by the AppleJack Festival scheduled Sept. 17 and 18.
Farm experiences planned at the orchard for the festival include hayrack rides into the orchard, where families can pick their own apples and pumpkins.
Olson said this year's harvest has been dedicated to Bill Oberdieck, who was among 425,000 German prisoners of war shipped to the United States. Oberdieck was confined in central Nebraska, but got a job during the war 200 miles away at Kimmel Orchard.
After the war he returned to the orchard and eventually bought it from the Kimmels. He was owner and manager from 1964 to 1990.
Oberdieck, who Olson described as a familiar friend for orchard visitors, died on June 3, 2011.
The apple harvest at Kimmel Orchard in Nebraska City is underway and manager Erik Olson said he expects an average production of 20,000 to 25,000 bushels.
He said the growing season started a little cooler than normal and includes some extreme heat in July, but the orchard missed the hail suffered in other parts of Nebraska City and the Missouri River basin.
The cool spring set the apple maturity back about five days, but Olson said all the traditional early fall varieties will be ready by the AppleJack Festival scheduled Sept. 17 and 18.
Farm experiences planned at the orchard for the festival include hayrack rides into the orchard, where families can pick their own apples and pumpkins.
Olson said this year's harvest has been dedicated to Bill Oberdieck, who was among 425,000 German prisoners of war shipped to the United States. Oberdieck was confined in central Nebraska, but got a job during the war 200 miles away at Kimmel Orchard.
After the war he returned to the orchard and eventually bought it from the Kimmels. He was owner and manager from 1964 to 1990.
Oberdieck, who Olson described as a familiar friend for orchard visitors, died on June 3, 2011.
