This was a tough year too on my apples.. We had severe drought and 2 hail storms here at the 
home orchard. 

The U/MN honeycrisp apple was created here and has been a real pluis for the orchards. A 1/2 
peck 5 pound bag is going for $10-$12 at most orchards. That apple is now taking over red 
delicous acreage in WA, Upstate NY and all over the world. 

Other heriloom and specialty apples also command a decent retail price. This region is big on fall 
orchard family tours etc. It seems to be a regional thing. Many beeks make good by selling their 
honey at orchards. 

My strategy is I have 5 orchards  (1800 trees total)  spread out in a 5 mile area. I only own one of 
them.  Likewise my bees are spread out in 18 yards, the furthest a 3 hour drive and all but two of 
them year around locations . I make my entire living off my operation. By spreading my risk 
around it looks like I'll skate through one of my worst years.  We had a spread of above average to 
below average rain across the area I keep my yards. 

The honey crop here varied from average to below average as did the moisture levels across our 
state. 

After severe drought all summer in the Northern region, August was a flood state wide with ten 
inches of rain on the average and some areas saw 17 in one storm!  

I'm already looking forward to next year!

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