Just like Donna was predicting, fruit orchards in Waverly, MO didn’t get damaged by the storm. I received an update from Schreiman Orchards with good news. Last fall we drove down HWY 24 which is one of the most picturesque areas on the West side of the state and visited the orchard on the closing day, after tasting some wine in the winery few miles west. After lots of construction HWY 24 is a lot better road than I-70 with no traffic at all and it seems that many new businesses are opening up along the road. There is always something to do from Civil War reenactments to antique sales and car shows. Below is just a part of the email from Judy at Schreiman Orchard.
Waverly Fruit Crops OK Through Cold Spell:
What a cold, ugly, windy day, today. AND it was reported on one Kansas City TV news station that this last week-end’s weather ruined the fruit buds. They were talking about an area north of here.
THE FRUIT BUDS IN THIS AREA ARE STILL SNUG & COZY INSIDE THEIR SHUCKS AND CAN TAKE LAST WEEKEND’S TEMPS AND THE TEMPS PREDICTED FOR TONIGHT.
The excitement of spring in rural America never ceases to amaze me. Farmers forever become anxious to get out and plant and tend their young animals this time of year. There’s never a dull moment.
More seems to be happening in this area than ever. Young entrepreneurs have started new agri businesses or expansions to their business all over the area. Although sectors of the farm economy have been devastated, new things are still happening. Ethics bred into young rural people are conservative spending and as much sweat equity as capital.
Rural people are used to irregular profits, “living on the edge” and leaps of FAITH.
New business are popping up all up & down highway 24 within just a few miles of our place. There are new wineries in the areas. Several huge green house business, a new fancy bakery to name just a few, besides the excitement of our new berry fields.
This will be a great spring, summer & fall to make many short trips out our way to explore all there is to see and do. We’ll try and keep you up on all of the places. Don’t forget to explore the quick links in the right lower column besides the dates of special events listed. Many folks from different parts of the Midwest, plan dates months in advance and meet here near Waverly for a summer or fall week-end reunion at a bed & breakfast or campground.
Good Peach & Apple Crops Predicted:
Hundreds and thousands of apple and peach trees have also been replanted in the area. That happens every year in March when old less productive trees are taken out and replaced with young ones. There are still more apples being raised here than anywhere else in Missouri and about as many peaches as in south Missouri. Those 2 crops so far look good. Bloom will start soon, probably during the next warm snap: peaches followed by the apple bloom.
These next few weeks ahead fruit growers are a little edgy, hoping all of the temperatures stay just right for bloom and pollination. A few odd ball things have bloomed early and may get nipped back, but many things including a lot of flowers that bloom at this time, can actually take a few degrees below freezing at this time of year.
Orchard workers have gone over every single apple tree in the area pruning and chopping up brush and will soon start on peach trees. It’s a busy time in the orchards.
MARK YOU CALENDARS NOW FOR THE FOLLOWING 2009 SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE AREA:
SAT & SUN-JUNE 27 & 28 WAVERLY’S ANNUAL CIVIL WAR HISTORY FESTIVAL. Part of the celebration will be the dedication of the statue of Jo Shelby, Waverly’s Civil War General. The town has been preparing for this for years and has even built a park for the statue.
SAT AUG 1 SECOND ANNUAL MISSOURI PEACH FEST -Lexington & surrounding peach orchards
SAT-SUN SEPT 12-13 HISTORIC LEXINGTON HOMES TOUR
SAT-SUN OCT 3-4 12TH ANNUAL APPLES ARTS & ANTIQUES FESTIVAL-LEXINGTON & surrounding apple orchards.
This is the setting for such significant Civil War history that another movie about that era is about to be made set in the Lexington area. We’ll try to keep you informed. Filmmaker Byron Nicodemus and Hollywood actress Brinke Stevens are preparing for the film “Friends & Enemies: Battles Along the Border”. Local actors are being cast and shooting is slated to begin this summer.
When it stays cold like this, the apples are never in danger. It’s when temps get in the 70’s and 80’s too early that you have to worry. I worked many fall seasons at the local orchard (which has gotten rid of all their apples and gone to peaches now).
I prefer Rasa’s Orchard to the one at Waverly. It’s a little closer, and I like their prices and quality.