5 October, 2022
Oct 9th 2022 Out With Joe checks out Douglas Orchard with Erica Fairbanks
On this week’s edition of Out With Joe, we introduce Erica Fairbanks as a Contributor to OWJ and her first Profile is Douglas Orchard in Douglas MA.
Check out this quintessential New England activity .. right here in our backyard!
Hello listeners! It’s Erica Fairbanks reporting for Out with Joe! ?? blah, blah, blah?
It’s Fall in New England and what could be better than visiting an apple orchard in Massachusetts! Many
of us live within a short drive to the heart of apple country! Did you know that Central Mass has the
largest population of Apple Orchards in the Bay state? That’s right! And many of these orchards are
family owned and operated, and all ripe for the picking!
Who doesn’t have fond memories of walking through rows of trees bursting at the seams with ripened
apples, slowly filling that paper handled bag while sneaking in a few forbidden bites. (come on you know
you do it!) A visit to an apple orchard is nostalgic and whole lot of fun but with so many choices, where
does one begin?
First off, ditch the over commercialized, agri-tainment hot spots and venture of the beaten path. There
are loads of places without bouncy houses, over-crowded hay-rides, and long parking lines; you just
gotta know where to look! it just so happens one such is just around the bend in Douglas, MA,
Tucked away in the Blackstone Valley, Douglas Orchards is the quintessential new-England apple
orchard and one that will soon be your favorite in Central Mass. Purchased in 2016 the Socrat family
began painstakingly reviving the once neglected orchard and saving it from an ugly housing
development in the process. Fast forward to 2022 and you’ll find they’ve successfully turned it into on
the area’s finest family-owned orchards featuring all your seasonal favorites – from pick your own apples
in the fall, to blueberries in the summer all grown using sustainable and natural farming techniques. In
addition to their agricultural pursuits, the orchard hosts Summer Concert Series, mushroom growing
workshops, and the Easter Bunny and Santa have been known to make an appearance or two. In fact,
On October 22 nd they are hosting a fun Halloween Festival with live music, chat with a real witch named
Merlin, food vendors, and miniature donkeys! Costumed dogs and their humans are welcome!
The orchard and farmyard are open for exploring on foot and it will not disappoint! Prepare to “oooh
and aweee” at a feathery collection of clucking chickens, quaky ducks, and plump turkeys before
heading over to check out those cute pigs! There is just so much to see around the farm so be sure to
take you time, walk around, and enjoy your visit!
Oh! And stopping off at their picture-perfect farm stand is a must! This country store is packed with
farm fresh chicken and duck eggs, sweet treats, seasonal fruit and veg, and your beloved falls favorites
such as apple cider, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, apple chips and the soon to be famous apple
donut Whoopie! Oh YES, I said apple donut whoppie!!! They also offer unbaked apple pie and apple
crisp to heat up an enjoy later. The store is open year-round and is a great place to get fresh
Thanksgiving turkeys and other tasty holiday offerings. You’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your
foodie tastebuds.
This upcoming weekend is going to be perfect fall weather! Pack the family in the car and drive though
the winding backroads of Douglas up to the orchard where you’ll find Farmer Nick and family happily
purveying all things autumn and all things awesome!