There is Always Something Buzzing on Mt. Airy.

 OK, Neighbors, so if you’ve been following us even for a little bit, you know that we like to find those places who are making and doing things that are a little unique.  This time, well, it’s sort of US that are doing something cool – revisiting one of the places we’ve already been!  If you recall, it was around Easter of this year (2021) when we went on the hunt for peanut butter eggs that we were told we simply HAD to try.  So hunt we did, and our hunt brought us to the Paulus Mt. Airy Orchards outside of Dillsburg, PA, where, yes, we had the most magnificent peanut butter eggs.  But the nice thing about an orchard is that things ripen all throughout the growing season, and that brought us back for…..a blueberry festival!!!!

This time, though, we got to spend a little time sitting down with Karen and Dan Paulus, the proprietors of the orchard, and get a glimpse of what life is like from the other side of the proverbial fence.  A gorgeous hot summer day, a bottle of water and under the cover of a shade sail we learned that they have been working this land for 22 years. The orchard was here before Karen and Dan came along, the offerings were not as expansive under the old owner as they are now under the loving care of the Paulus family and staff, just offering apples and peaches. But the old owner knew he needed to find someone who would keep this place a farm, to have the land stay productive. So for a few years before he retired he searched for the right people. Dan had grown up on a farm, “not an orchard” he stated but his family had always been in in agriculture, so they were willing to think about the option.

To the beautiful rolling Pennsylvania hills of established fruit trees they have added blueberries, black berries, raspberries (red and black), elderberries, and even grapes. The original process of “pick your own” was a slow start – with Karen sitting in the back of a minivan - and it became such a big hit with the locals, they were able to expand the storefront a bit.   But, summer is not the only season for having these fun times on the farm. In the fall there is the apple festival with “pick your own apples” and pumpkin season is a big hit with a corn maze and children’s activities that include hayrides.

But since we were here during the blueberry festival, we got to hear how these blueberries were an act of love and experimentation; digging irrigation wells and researching what to add to the earth to make it just what these particular berries need to grow healthy and flavorful, and boy did they do everything right! These were the biggest blueberry bushes we have ever seen, some as high as 6 feet tall, and berries the size of nickels. When talking to the staff on the grounds you get to her what they enjoy doing with the berries when you are not just popping them in their mouth for a juicy treat. From syrups to breads and salad add ins, to ice creams, the options are endless.

The staff are dedicated to this place too.  You see smiling faces and hard workers that are happy to be under the sky working with the bounty of the earth. At peak season the staff number to about 80 locals (some being college student who some back to help out to the part timer that enjoy having their hand in on the production). In the store the ladies are helpful and knowledgeable of the produce, and willing to give you ideas on yummy meals to make out of each vegetable or fruit offerings. And like any good farm they know the bees are a must to keeping everything healthy and happy. Honey is part of the offerings; the apiary is not found on the property but not far away on the land of another member of the Paulus family, adding to the sweet, sweet offerings.

As for growth, this amount of land is perfect for them. 150 acres of a variety of trees, berries, and occasionally adding a patch of rhubarb, or another veg to see how well they do. They are thankful for the opportunity to do this with their lives and to share the bounty with the neighbors and community.

We spent a wonderful time with Karen and Dan, and fully took advantage of the pick your own blue berries and blackberries. And we are looking forward to returning in the fall to take part in Krystal’s favorite season. We think you should come on down to Paulus Mt. Airy Orchard too, no matter what season of the year, you are bound to find a flavor that you can savor.

 

Your friendly neighbors,

Bill and Krystal