New York Apple Orchards Snubbed on National Ranking

What do you think of when you think of the autumn season? My pessimistic side thinks about the fact that summer is over and winter is heading our way. Not happy about that.

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My optimistic side says fall brings cooler, more manageable temperatures, colorful leaves, and it's apple season in New York State.

And on the subject of apples. I noticed that the latest USA Best 10 Apple Orchards in the country list came out. Now I'm thinking that at least half of the list should have New York State orchards. Well, I would be wrong.

Out of the top ten, there is just one New York State orchard that made the list. That's just not right. In the top ten, there are two orchards listed for Michigan and one for Illinois, Indiana, California, North Carolina, Georgia, and Mayland, and the top pick (pardon the pun), is Libby & Son U-Pick located in Limerick, Maine.

According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center website, only the State of Washington produced more apples per year than New York State. In 2021, Washington produced 7.5 billion pounds of apples, and New York State produced 1.3 billion, so you'd think both states would have a few entries in the top 10, but Washington doesn't even have one entry in the USA 10 Best Apple Orchard list.

The only New York State Apple Orchard on the list is Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, located on Route 20 in Lafayette, which is just south of Syracuse.

Closer to home, we have Apple Hills on Brooks Road, Binghamton, which certainly could have made the USA 10 Best list. Are there any other local apple orchards in the Southern Tier that you like to visit? If so, let me know.