The best kept secret in the valley is delicious and healthy

Courtesy Amanda Williams

It is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Cache Valley and it could portend the future of agriculture in Utah when it comes to being water conscious and employing natural farming methods. The Paradise Valley Orchard in Paradise is the place to purchase great apples, even to have your own apples pressed. On KVNU’s For the People program on Monday, Ali Harrison, who is the owner and operator of the orchard, talked about the history of the orchard.

“I don’t know a lot of the detailed history, but the first trees were planted in the (19)50’s…and then it’s just grown from there. We’re the third owners of this farm. It was started by a gentleman named John Lee and he actually still lives out here in Paradise,” she said.

Harrison says they have endeavored to continue the tradition that was started by Lee. She says the orchard uses natural farming and explained how that is different from organic farming.

“Our farm was not organic. It takes years for the (pesticides) to come out of the soil and we’ve been here about nine years now. So I think they say around year 10 is when the pesticides can become undetectable again.We would like to go that route, but until then we practice all the organic methods of pest control. We just can’t call ourselves organic until we get that certification.”

She said running  their orchard this way is important to her and her husband. Harrison invites residents to their orchard that is only open on Saturdays in the fall  from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to getting apples, you can tour the orchard and visit their store. She said weather usually dictates the end of the season, so hopefully the weather cooperates this Saturday. You can get more information on their Facebook page or at www.ParadiseValleyOrchard.com.

AUDIO: Jason Williams talks apples with Ali Harrison of Paradise Valley Orchards

 

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