Workshop Slated on Hard Cider Making and Orcharding

August 22, 2009
10:00 am	to	2:00 pm

From colonial times until well into the 20th century hard cider was overwhelmingly the predominate beverage in the United States, consumed more than whiskey, wine, and beer put together. In fact, the U.S. apple crop was so devoted to the manufacture of hard cider that during prohibition many farmers cut down huge orchards of mature apple trees, because they were unable to come up with another profitable use for the fruit.

Washington State University Snohomish County Extension is sponsoring a workshop on what it takes to grow and maintain a cider orchard as well as providing a broad overview of the cider-making process. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ed’s Apples in Sultan. Ed’s Apples is located at 13420 339th Ave SE, Sultan, just off SR 2.

Participants will learn the steps necessary to create a quality hard cider product, a rapidly growing small farm niche product. WSU Tree Fruit Specialist Gary Moulton will provide an in-depth overview of the topic, including a discussion of varietal selection, growing and harvest information, as well as an informal look at the production steps from raw fruit to finished bottle.

Cost is $65 per person (early bird registration is $55 per person before Aug. 12) and includes a box lunch.

To register, download a form at www.snohomish.wsu.edu/ag/workshops/hardcider09.pdf and mail with your check, or contact Karie Christensen at 425/357.6039 or by e-mail at klchristen@cahnrs.wsu.edu.

For more information contact Andrew Corbin, corbina@wsu.edu or 425.357.6012.