Introduction: Celebrating the Season of Harvest
As we embrace autumn in Utah, we celebrate local growers and the orchards that produce apples, pears, and other tree fruits. These farms support families, strengthen the economy, and preserve agricultural traditions. Even after harvest, you can help by choosing Utah-grown fruit, visiting farm stands, and supporting local growers.
Utah’s Fall Bounty: What’s in Season?
Despite the spring freezes, Utah’s fall harvest continues to offer crisp apples and sweet pears, with flavor, texture, and ripening periods influenced by local growing conditions. Apples from Utah and neighboring states will remain available for approximately one more month. Select firm, unblemished fruit for use in crisps, salads, snacks, or as a fresh, convenient treat while supporting Utah growers and agricultural communities.
Rooted in Our Community: Meet a Utah Tree Fruit Grower
Each quarter, we introduce you to a member of Utah Tree Fruit Growers. In this issue, we feature Christopher Riley of Rileys’ U-Pick in Genola. With his father and grandfather being fruit farmers, he grew up working on each one of their farms. Working on the farm has always been something Chris finds joy in. Chris shared ”when I was in grade school, I remember coming home and getting on the CB Radio (obviously before cell phones) in our house to try and get ahold of my dad to come pick me up so I could go work with him on the farm.” As Chris got older, he was always heading to the farm after school and on any holidays or weekends.
As the owner of the farm, Chris now “gets to do the jobs no one else wants to do.” Even so, he genuinely enjoys the wide variety of responsibilities that come with farm life. From “working on the business side of the farm, fixing equipment, innovating and building, operating equipment, selling and interacting with customers, and the science of growing crops,” Chris finds fulfillment in nearly every aspect of the work.
When asked what he wished more people understood about Rileys’, Chris shared “the extent of change our farm has gone through in the past 15 years. We have changed almost everything we do from how we market to what we grow. We are continuously trying to improve.” He takes particular pride in the farm’s ability to adapt and evolve. Over the years, Chris has learned that maintaining a “student mentality” and being willing to ask questions have helped him become a better grower.
Chris shared that on his farm, there is only cash flow for about two months of the year, so he explained that growers must “make hay while the sun is shining.” Outside of the busy farming season, he enjoys spending time with his family and snowmobiling.
Be sure to make a visit to Rileys’ U-Pick in Genola. It will be an experience to remember! In Chris’ words, “When people come to our farm, I can almost visually see their shoulders relax a little more and enjoy being outside, escaping the hustle and bustle for just a minute.”
Click here to visit Rileys’ website.
Click here to view this farm’s Facebook page.
From Harvest to Home: Make Your Fruit Last
Preserving Apples
Apples can be enjoyed in many ways throughout the year. Turn them into applesauce, apple butter, or pie filling; can them for later use; or preserve them by drying or freeze-drying. Some varieties can also be kept in the refrigerator for months.
Preserving Pears
Pears offer many of the same preservation options. They can be canned, made into pear sauce or pear butter, dried, or freeze-dried. When kept green in the refrigerator, some pears can last for months. Remove them from the refrigerator and let them ripen at room temperature when you are ready to enjoy them.
Beyond the Harvest: Preparing for Next Year
After the harvest, trees can focus their nutrients, water, and energy on maintaining their health rather than producing fruit. Keeping trees healthy after harvest helps them prepare for winter dormancy and supports the following year’s crop.
Some orchardists apply fertilizer in the fall to give their trees a head start in the spring. Pruning may take place in the fall, winter, or early spring, depending on the type of fruit tree. This work helps shape the trees, encourage growth in specific areas of the tree or root system, and thin the future crop in advance.
Getting a piece of fruit from a tree to your hand takes a year. Each piece reflects significant time, effort, patience, and care.
Keep Utah Orchards Thriving: How to Support Local Growers
Keeping Utah’s orchards thriving starts with our community! When Utah-grown fruit is in season, choosing local apples, peaches, pears, and other tree fruits helps support our hardworking growers and strengthen our local economy. Supporting local growers extends beyond the harvest season, as many of our growers offer tree-fruit products and other goods throughout the year. We’d also love to hear from you—share your favorite Utah-grown fruit varieties, family recipes, and seasonal traditions with us!
Closing: A Harvest Worth Celebrating
As we celebrate another season of harvest, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Utah’s growers, agricultural partners, and community members who make our local fruit industry thrive. By choosing Utah-grown fruit and supporting sustainable farming practices, we help preserve our agricultural heritage and strengthen our local communities. Every local purchase makes a difference, keeping Utah’s orchards growing and our harvest traditions alive for generations to come. Together, we can continue to cultivate a fruitful future for Utah!
