Cherry Hill Farms Hosts Final Harvest Event
The Caldwell orchard wraps up its season with Apple Days as it manages significant crop damage and rising labor costs.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Do you make an effort to support local farms in your community to help them survive?
Cherry Hill Farms is inviting the Caldwell community to its final harvest event of the season, Apple Days. The event aims to generate support to offset recent weather-related crop losses and a decade of rising operational expenses.
Why it matters
Local orchards rely on public participation during harvest events to maintain financial stability amid increasing labor costs and environmental challenges. These gatherings provide a crucial revenue stream following significant damage to seasonal yields.
Labor costs have surged by 60% to 70% over the last decade, becoming the single highest expense for the orchard. Additionally, a summer hailstorm caused damage to 40% of the farm's total crop.
The players
Cherry Hill Farms
This is a commercial orchard and U-pick destination located in Caldwell that serves the Treasure Valley region.
The details
Cherry Hill Farms functions as both a commercial orchard and a U-pick destination for local visitors. After an early spring frost impacted blossoms and a summer hailstorm ruined a large portion of the harvest, the farm redirected damaged apples for juice production.
Timeline
Workers maintain, prune, and prepare the orchard from January through November.
Early spring frost damaged fruit blossoms in 2026.
A summer hailstorm damaged 40% of the crop in 2026.
Apple Days occurs on October 23 and 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
The farm's struggle mirrors the historical trend of rising agricultural labor costs that has challenged mid-sized producers for over a decade. By pivoting to community-focused harvest events, the orchard highlights the growing importance of direct-to-consumer models in modern agriculture.
Residents can support the orchard by attending the Apple Days event, which directly assists the farm in offsetting recent crop losses. This community engagement helps ensure the orchard can continue its operations and maintain its role as a regional U-pick destination.
The takeaway
Supporting local farms during challenging seasons helps preserve regional agricultural heritage and ensures produce remains available for the community. Visitors to events like Apple Days contribute directly to the financial sustainability of the local food system.
Further reading
For more information on local sustainable agriculture, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI).
Live Poll
Do you make an effort to support local farms in your community to help them survive?
