376: Orchard & Cider Variety Research at WHNO | Vermont

Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard (WHNO) was created in 1997

This 22 acre farm with 8 acres of orchards on a hillside outside of Hardwick, Vermont in the town of Walden was founded by Todd Parlo and Lori Augustyniak. It is a sustainably managed and certified organic fruit orchard and nursery. In this chat, we speak with both founders as they share the history and current educational offerings at WHNO.

Todd Parlo and Lori Augustyniak (w/ frozen jug of apple juice) at WHNO

We also discuss how WHNO was awarded a SARE (Sustainable Agricultural Research and Educational Project) grant to study: The evaluations of apple cultivars for hard cider production in the Northeast. The goal of the project as Todd Parlo states it, is “To increase the pool of possibilities for a cider maker. And to get numbers on the constituents of juices of a variety of apple cultivars."

• 313 apple varieties from WHNO were tested during this project.

Todd in the Walden orchard

The study was completed and as of 2023 the results of the study can be reviewed via this link online.

Walk about the orchard with both Todd and Lori at WHNO and hear about just a few of the 600 apples varieties grown here.

Contact for Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard

• Website: https://waldenheightsnursery.com/about/

Mentions in this Chat

• Vermont flooding help - Go Fund Me for Henry's Hardware & Den in Cabot
• Fermentis: AC-4. SafCider™ AC-4 stands for Apple Crisp and is one of 3 SafCider™ Yeasts for your cider!
• Visit Idaho and taste the ciders! More info at https://nwcider.com/map
  • Athol Orchards visit this orchard in the Panhandle of Idaho