Erie Orchards and Cider Mill is a working farm with approximately 70 acres in production. Approximately 15,000 bushels of apples are harvested annually off 30 acres of apple trees. The varieties include Ida Red, Granny Smith, Northern Spy, Golden and Red Delicious, McIntosh, Jonathan, Jonagold, Paulared, Fuji (new), Honeycrisp (new) and Braeburn (new). Most of the apples are harvested in September and early October except for the Paulared which ripens in August.

The 15 acres of peaches produce approximately 2500 bushels of peaches annually. Varieties by order of ripening include: Darby, Sweethaven, Redhaven, Glohaven, Harmony, Cresthaven and Redskin. The peach season starts at the end of July and continues through Labor Day.

Thousands of quarts of blueberries are harvested off the 1800 blueberry plants (approximately two acres). Blueberry picking starts in July and continues through August.

Ten acres are devoted to pumpkins which are available for U-Pick beginning the last weekend in September.

Erie Orchards and Cider Mill is a family farm owned by Steve and Nancy Elzinga. Steve works full time at the orchard and Nancy is a social worker at Flower Hospital in Sylvania Ohio. They have three grown children and one grand child Noah. Marna lives and works in Toledo as an occupational therapist and is Noah's mom. Jesse, lives in Oxford, England where he teaches at a private high school (St Edwards) and is working on his PhD at Exeter College, Oxford University. And Elise lives and works in Washington D.C.

Steve purchased the orchard in 1977 and this year, 2009, makes 32 years of producing quality fruit and entertainment at Erie Orchards and Cider Mill. Although Steve is interested in returning to overseas work with his church (Mennonite Church of North America) he is also committed to keeping the orchard going. It is his desire to pass on the orchard to family members or others who will keep the apples growing!

The orchard employs three full time workers and up to 40 part time workers on busy fall weekends.

Steve and Nancy and all Erie Orchards and Cider Mill employees welcome you to our farm. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for help. We are committed to giving you the best fruit you can buy.