Sussex County farm cancels U-Pick after losing majority of apple crop
Hillcrest Farm, a longtime destination for apple picking, says about 90% of its apples were lost after temperatures dropped into the 20s overnight, following unseasonably warm weather.
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A Sussex County apple farm is facing a major loss after a sudden frost two weeks ago damaged most of its crop.
Hillcrest Farm, a longtime destination for apple picking, says about 90% of its apples were lost after temperatures dropped into the 20s overnight, following unseasonably warm weather.
Owner Jim Cuneo says the freezing temperatures hit at a critical time, wiping out much of this year’s crop.
“Though it was going to be a good crop, we pretty much lost it all,” Cuneo said.
Cuneo says there was little they could do to prevent the damage and that other orchards across the state were impacted as well.
The 14-acre farm has more than 2,000 trees and typically offers a variety of apples each fall. But this year, the loss means Hillcrest Farm will not be offering U-pick.
Despite the setback, the farm plans to stay open with other attractions, including hayrides, apple cider donuts and its on-site cheese shop, Jersey Girl Cheese.
“We’ll still have things for people to enjoy,” Cuneo said.
The owner is now asking the community to support the farm in other ways as it works to recover from the loss.
