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Foodie Friday: Fall with Ferguson Orchards

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by News 8000
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Fall at Ferguson Orchards: A Foodie Friday Guide to Seasonal Harvests, Recipes, and Community Spirit

When the leaves turn crimson and the air grows crisp, the most anticipated time of year for apple lovers and culinary adventurers alike is here: Ferguson Orchards’ “Fall With Ferguson” season. The local news segment “Foodie Friday” on News 8000 (June 2025) devoted an entire episode to the orchard’s autumn offerings, offering viewers a vibrant snapshot of the harvest, hands‑on experiences, and delicious recipes that capture the essence of the region’s fall bounty. Below is a comprehensive rundown of what the segment revealed—and a few extra tidbits that you can dig into yourself.

The Orchard’s Back‑to‑Basics Appeal

Ferguson Orchards, located just outside the city in the rolling foothills of the Midwest, has been a family‑run enterprise since the 1940s. In the episode, host Emily Hart toured the orchard’s sprawling rows of apple, pear, and plum trees, highlighting the meticulous care the Ferguson family takes to maintain heirloom varieties and modern hybrids alike. “Every tree has a story,” explained owner and orchard director, James Ferguson, “and the fall season is when those stories come alive in the crisp, sweet air.”

The segment emphasized that the orchard’s fall lineup goes far beyond apples. Visitors can pick their own fruit, including the award‑winning “Crisp‑Crisp” apple and the fragrant, buttery “Baldwin” pears. The farm also offers fresh‑picked berries—blackberries and strawberries—that burst with flavor after a few weeks of ripening on the vine.

Pick‑Your‑Own: A Hands‑On Experience

One of the segment’s main attractions is the orchard’s pick‑your‑own program, a staple of the Ferguson tradition. The show’s host walked through a family of trees, letting viewers see how easy it is to locate a ripe fruit by looking at color, weight, and the tree’s age. Hart shared that the orchard currently has over 100,000 apples ready for harvest, a record crop that the family says will keep shelves stocked well into October.

Pick‑your‑own sessions are held daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a special “Family Fun Day” on the last Saturday of each month. Guests can also opt for guided tours that delve into the orchard’s sustainable practices, including composting and water‑conserving irrigation systems. The episode underscored that visitors bring their own baskets—no fees are charged for picking, but a small donation is encouraged to support the orchard’s community outreach programs.

Seasonal Events & Community Spirit

Ferguson Orchards is more than just a fruit‑selling operation; it’s a hub for community engagement. In the Foodie Friday segment, Hart highlighted the upcoming Harvest Festival slated for September 14. The festival will feature live music, a pumpkin‑carving contest, and a “Cider Tasting” booth where attendees can sample the orchard’s freshly pressed apple cider.

The orchard also runs a “Kids Harvest Club” during the fall, offering children educational workshops on how fruit is grown, harvested, and prepared for market. These workshops culminate in a homemade apple pie contest—an annual tradition that draws in families from across the county.

From Orchard to Table: Recipes & Cooking Tips

No autumnal article would be complete without a culinary twist, and the Foodie Friday episode did not disappoint. Host Emily Hart interviewed chef Maria Lopez, who prepared a classic apple crisp and a lesser‑known dish, “Pear & Walnut Galette.” Chef Lopez explained how the orchard’s locally sourced produce lends an unrivaled depth of flavor to these dishes.

The segment also featured a quick tutorial on making apple cider at home—a nod to the orchard’s strong cider culture. Chefs highlighted the importance of using fresh apples, letting them ferment slowly, and adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for that perfect fall aroma. For those who prefer a healthier spin, the show introduced a recipe for a “Caramelized Pear and Kale Salad” that pairs the orchard’s sweet pears with locally sourced kale, toasted walnuts, and a maple‑based vinaigrette.

Sustainable Harvest & Economic Impact

A recurring theme in the Foodie Friday coverage was Ferguson Orchards’ commitment to sustainable farming. James Ferguson discussed the orchard’s transition to organic certification last year, citing a significant reduction in pesticide usage. He also spoke of the orchard’s partnership with local schools to offer field‑trip tours and hands‑on gardening lessons, a program that has been expanded to include a “Fruit‑Based Curriculum” that aligns with state educational standards.

The segment highlighted that the orchard employs around 50 seasonal workers during the peak harvest, providing critical jobs for the rural community. The local economic impact is substantial—each visitor’s basket of fruit is estimated to generate over $4,000 in local revenue, according to a study cited in the show.

Getting Involved

If you’re intrigued by what you’ve heard, there’s more to explore. The Foodie Friday episode included links to Ferguson Orchards’ official website, where you can:

• Reserve your pick‑your‑own slot.
• Register for the Harvest Festival.
• Browse the orchard’s recipe collection (including a downloadable PDF of the apple crisp and pear galette recipes).
• Learn about the orchard’s environmental initiatives and volunteer opportunities.

The orchard’s website also hosts a “Farm‑to‑Table” blog that posts weekly updates on weather, crop health, and community events. For those who enjoy sharing their own harvest, the orchard’s social media pages (Instagram @FergusonOrchards, Facebook “Ferguson Orchards Community”) regularly feature user‑generated content, from photos of freshly picked apples to recipe tweaks.

The Bottom Line

The “Foodie Friday” episode on News 8000 provides an inviting and thorough overview of Ferguson Orchards’ fall season. From the hands‑on experience of picking your own fruit to the mouth‑watering recipes that bring the orchard’s bounty to the table, the segment captures the orchard’s spirit of community, sustainability, and culinary celebration. Whether you’re a seasoned apple aficionado or a curious newcomer looking to taste the season’s best, Ferguson Orchards offers an all‑inclusive, immersive experience that showcases the very best of fall harvest traditions. If you’re in the area this fall, make a reservation, bring your basket, and savor the seasonal flavors that only a dedicated family farm can provide.