As the average age of an American farmer is pushing 60 years, the hope that the field of agriculture would be appealing enough for a younger generation to return to family traditions is one that most farmers hold dear, even as they encourage their children to explore the world and their career options. Bill Gammie of Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights, discusses his thoughtful perspective on this issue with The Erie Wire.
Quarry Hill Orchards has been a part of the Gammie family since the Great Depression. Originally a vegetable farm, fruit tree crops became the primary source of income because of the well-drained soils and elevation in this part of Erie County - the farm is three miles from the coast, with Lake Erie visible from the highest point on the farm. Quarry Hill recently updated its enterprise with a winery, partnering with award-winning winemaker Mac McLelland. With the lake effect’s extended season, they use their peaches, plums, apples and cherries from the orchard along with select varieties of cold hardy grapes from their own vineyard in artisan wine making. This April, the new winery will be open to the public, overlooking the vineyards. A wine bar will also be open weekend evenings – featuring light cuisine and live entertainment while patrons can enjoy a self-guided tour of the underground wine cellar.
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