
Which states are ripe for apple picking and savoring orchard treats?
To find out, Lawn Love ranked 2025’s Top 20 States for Apple Lovers.
We compared all 50 U.S. states across 5 apple-focused categories, eliminating those with insufficient data. We examined total apple production and acreage of apple-bearing trees. We also looked into the number of apple and cider festivals, public interest, and environmental challenges, among 13 total metrics.
Bob into our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the states, see our methodology.
In this article
- State rankings
- Top 5 close up
- Key insights
- Expert take
- Behind the ranking
- Final thoughts: Branch out with better tree care
State rankings
See how each state fared in our ranking:
Top 5 close up
Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 states for apple lovers.
Key insights
Washington (No. 1) takes a big bite out of the competition, topping the charts with the most apple-bearing acreage, the juiciest production, and the freshest market sales. With few pests to bug their orchards and cider galore to sip, Washington’s apples thrive thanks to its golden soil, crisp climate, and top-notch growing tricks.
3 states are cashing in big on fresh fruit. Washington (No. 1) leads with a staggering $589.4 million in apple sales to fresh markets in 2022, followed by California (No. 5) at $437.9 million and Michigan (No. 4) at $341.7 million.
Not-so-apple-solute: Iowa (No. 20), Illinois (No. 19), and Oklahoma (No. 18) land at the bottom of the barrel with low apple production and sales, pest problems threatening their orchards, and growing climates plagued by high hail and drought risks.
Discover more state insights below.
Expert take
Apples are more than a tasty treat — they’re a cornerstone of regional agriculture, health, and local economies. But what makes certain regions ripe for apple farming success? We turned to a panel of experts for their insights.
- What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
- How does climate change impact apple farming?
- What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
- What are 3 health benefits of apples?
- How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
- What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?













What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Certain regions are ideal for growing apples due to their climate, soil conditions, and sunlight. Apples trees thrive in regions with cold winters, moderate summers, and medium to high humidity. The trees grow best in well-drained and slightly acidic soils that are rich in organic matter. Apple trees need at least six to eight hours of sunlight during the growing season, which is very important for yield, fruit quality, and fungal disease prevention.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change alters temperature patterns, precipitation levels, and growing seasons for fruits and vegetables, including apples. Warmer temperatures in early spring can lead apple trees to bloom earlier, which makes them vulnerable to unpredictable late frosts that can damage buds and reduce fruit quality. Heat stress and drought in summer can impact yield, fruit appearance, and taste. Additionally, changes in pest and disease patterns due to shifting climates pose challenges for apple growers.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Agritourism activities, like apple-picking events, can help generate supplemental income for farmers. Agritourism visitors often spend on apples but also other farm products and activities. Additionally, visitors might use nearby businesses such as restaurants and lodging, which can stimulate local economies. Agritourism also helps farmers diversify their income sources and reduces their reliance on traditional market channels. Furthermore, agritourism offers opportunities for farmers and consumers to have face-to-face communications and thus fosters stronger connections between consumers and agricultural communities.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
Apples are rich in dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health. They contain antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which support the immune system and reduce inflammation. Apples are low in calories and high in water content, which makes them a great choice for maintaining a healthy weight.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Consumers can support local apple farmers by purchasing apples directly from farmers’ markets, roadside stands, or pick-your-own apple orchards. Sharing positive experiences about agritourism or local apple purchases on social media can help promote local farms. Additionally, choosing locally grown apples in grocery stores will encourage retailers to stock them, which can boost demand for local produce.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
Apple farmers need to constantly battle pests as well as fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. It is challenging to mitigate pests and diseases without applying agricultural chemicals. Extreme weather such as drought or excessive precipitation, causes yield instability and low fruit quality. Adoption of new technologies or drought-resistant or disease-resistant varieties might help withstand disease and extreme weather conditions. Economic pressures, such as fluctuating market prices and labor shortages, also make it difficult for farmers to invest in long-term sustainable practices.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Until the early 20th century most farms were general farms, producing a variety of agricultural crops. Most farms had a small apple orchard for home use and apple cider. As pesticides became available for insect and disease control, some farmers began to specialize in apple production.
The primary factor limiting apple production is temperature. Winter temperatures below minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit will kill trees of many apple varieties and spring frost during bloom will kill flowers and small fruit. Therefore, apple production is now concentrated in regions with a low probability of extreme winter temperatures and spring frost.
Today, the most important apple regions are located on the western sides of the Great Lakes, in New York and Michigan where the microclimate is modified by the lakes; the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, where the microclimate is modified by elevation; the Columbia and Yakima Valleys in Washington, where the microclimate is modified by elevation. California also has several apple-growing regions, including the coastal mountains, foothills, valleys, and hillsides.
Apples can be grown in every state, but some varieties will not survive in very cold areas. In warm regions, some varieties produce fruit with poor quality. “McIntosh” is an example of a variety that produces large, soft, poorly colored fruit, with poor flavor in the south. “Granny Smith” requires a long growing season and may not mature in northern regions.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change is affecting different apple regions differently. In the West, high summer temperatures and clear skies can cause “sunscald.” Fruits on the southwest side of the tree are exposed to heat and sun which can injure fruit cells. In the Midwest and Eastern U.S., trees are blooming earlier than they did 25 years ago. In the mid-Atlantic region, apples are blooming an average of 5 days earlier than in 2000.
There is some evidence that early bloom is related to higher nighttime temperatures in April. Early blooming trees are more susceptible to spring frost. Frost-damaged blossoms and fruit may be killed, reducing yield, or they may be injured and produce fruits that are russetted, misshapen, or cracked.
Storms with high winds and hail seem to be more prevalent and can injure trees and fruit. Other extreme weather events, such as drought and excessive rain, also have negative effects on trees and fruit.
Pest control is becoming more challenging because some insect pests have a greater likelihood of overwintering. Some insect species have more generations due to the warmer and longer growing seasons. Some diseases, especially fruit rots, are more problematic in the East due to warmer and wetter summers. Early bloom also reduces the time farmers have to complete winter pruning and sometimes requires extra pesticide applications.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Small growers have difficulty competing with large growers for wholesale customers. Smaller growers are diversifying by growing small fruits and vegetables along with tree fruits for retail markets. Many of these operations have developed farm markets and host apple blossom or apple harvest festivals. Some offer educational programs for children, and they may offer opportunities for pick-your-own fruit.
These retail operations offer several benefits to the local community. First, this may be the only economic option for the farm to remain a farm. The farm is a resource to teach the public about farming and where and how their food is produced. The quality of the fruit is usually better than the quality of fruit in supermarkets.
Fruit from large wholesale operations is often harvested before developing optimum eating quality, so they can be held in cold storage and then shipped to market. Retail growers can delay harvest until the eating quality is close to optimum.
Local farms also create jobs, especially during the summer and at harvest. Local orchards also attract tourists, which helps nearby businesses like hotels and restaurants. Orchards also care for the environment by keeping green areas.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
Apples are a good source of fiber and are good for digestion. Apples are a good source of vitamin C and some antioxidants. Firm apples also improve dental hygiene. The fiber and mild acid juice improve gum health and may reduce dental plaque.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Purchasing agricultural products from local farms and informing friends about local farms will help farms remain profitable. Sometimes problems arise from suburban expansion into rural areas. Urbanization can negatively affect farmers.
As the amount of available land declines, land values increase, and land may become too valuable to farm. Sometimes new residents complain about the odors, farm machinery on the roads, and pesticide applications associated with farming. People should consider these issues before moving to rural areas. Voters can also support policies and legislation that benefit local farmers.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
The U.S. apple industry faces several challenges. In addition to climate change, a challenge to the U.S. apple industry is international competition. The U.S. produces about 5 million tons of apples per year and production has changed little in the past 25 years. The U.S. now ranks fourth in apple production behind China, the European Union, and Turkey. Over the past 25 years, apple production in China increased from about 5 million tons to 49 million tons.
The U.S. exports about 32 million bushels of fresh apples, worth about $1 billion. About 40% of U.S. apples are processed into various apple products, but about two-thirds of the U.S. apple juice supply comes from China. So, international competition is a challenge.
Another challenge is the accidental importation of insect pests. During the past few years, these include spotted lanternflies and brown marmorated stink bugs. With increasing international trade, insects are easily transported between continents. Control of these pests will likely require increased government regulations and inspection personnel.
Labor is the other major challenge to apple growers. Orchard work is strenuous, and Americans prefer other types of work. Therefore, like most farmers, apple growers rely on migrant labor for pruning, fruit thinning, and harvesting and packing fruit. Legislation is needed to address the farm labor shortage.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
It all comes down to soil types, precipitation, and temperature. In the Northeast, we have a nice mix of loamy soils, which apples prefer. We also get adequate rainfall and have appropriate temperatures and season lengths.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
In many ways, climate change creates erratic, unpredictable, and extreme weather events from hail to late spring frosts, to flooding, drought, deep freezes in the winter, and more. In New England, we have experienced all of these in the past 2 years. Climate change also impacts the fruit pests and diseases, often making them more severe and making management difficult, expensive, and ineffective.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Unfortunately, more and more, farmers are relying on income from agritourism rather than simple wholesale or retail sales. With rising costs and a changing climate, agritourism ensures that income streams are diversified, allowing for farms to withstand difficulties whether they are market-related or production-related.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
Apples are higher in fiber which is good for the digestive system. Apples are high in vitamins and minerals, and apples are high in antioxidants which help to reduce free radicals in the body, reduce inflammation, and have a host of downstream health benefits including benefits to heart, lung, and cognitive health.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Consumers should always shop local when they can. Consumers should visit their farms to experience where their food comes from.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
Cost and efficacy are often the biggest barriers to adopting new or sustainable practices. Consumers who might shop organic do not realize that oftentimes organic practices and materials are more expensive and less effective than conventional materials.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Apples require cold to set fruit, so the best growing areas are where there are cold winters.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
As winters warm, pollination will become uneven and the bloom period will spread out. Harvest will be less precise. Ultimately, production will rise in elevation or latitude.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
It can allow those to farm who would fail on production alone. Farming is hard work and pays poorly. Large corporate farms are more economically viable but don’t do agritourism really. It is something smaller operations can do to stay in the game.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Buy food that is grown locally and don’t complain about the prices; it is what farmers need to make to get by.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
There are many: pests, cost of water, cost of land, competition from larger farms, and chasing apple variety trends. It is far more sustainable for small growers to grow more than apples so crops have different harvest periods and a sustained income from sales. Lack of pollinators will continue to be an issue as the planet’s ecology is diminished through habitat loss.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Regions ideal for growing apples typically have a temperate climate with distinct seasons, including cold winters for chilling requirements and warm, sunny summers for fruit and color development. Well-drained, fertile soils, adequate rainfall or irrigation, and minimal risk of spring frosts during flowering are also important.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change causes unpredictable weather patterns, such as late spring frosts that damage blossoms, droughts that stress trees, and excess rainfall leading to poor fruit quality. Warmer winters may reduce the chilling hours apples need for proper flowering and fruiting, disrupting tree physiology. These challenges affect yields, fruit quality, and long-term orchard viability, while also increasing pest and disease pressures due to shifting climates.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Agritourism generates additional income for farmers, diversifies revenue streams, strengthens connections between consumers and producers, and promotes local economies by attracting tourists. It can also provide educational opportunities about agriculture.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
- Rich in nutrients: Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Heart health: Regular consumption may lower the risk of heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels.
- Gut health: The fiber in apples promotes healthy digestion and supports a balanced gut microbiome.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Supporting local apple farmers can be as simple as buying apples and apple products directly from farmers’ markets, U-pick orchards, or farm stands. Exploring unique or heirloom varieties and supporting cideries that use local apples boosts their market.
Participating in agritourism events, like orchard tours and apple festivals, strengthens community connections and provides farmers with additional revenue. Joining a CSA or purchasing seasonal fruit boxes ensures a steady income for growers. Lastly, advocating for local agriculture and sharing positive experiences help raise awareness and promote sustainable farming practices.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
Apple farmers face several challenges in maintaining sustainable practices. Overregulation often burdens growers with costly compliance, while limited incentives discourage the adoption of environmentally friendly methods. Climate change increases the need for efficient irrigation, pest management, and soil health preservation, and the high upfront costs of precision technologies can be prohibitive.
Despite these challenges, apple growers work hard to maintain sustainability through integrated pest management practices and investing in the long-term sustainability of the farm, ensuring they still deliver top-quality apples to consumers.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Apples are a versatile fruit tree that can be grown in many different regions. Apple trees do thrive more if given certain conditions. For example, they will perform better in areas with higher precipitation. This will help flush the salts out of the soil, making it more acidic and less alkaline. The fruit will be of higher quality with additional precipitation during the summer months.
Apple trees bloom mid-spring. Regions that are prone to late-season frosts will have “roller-coaster” years of fruit production. Late frosts often freeze the flowers or flower buds. If this occurs, there will be much less fruit production. Fewer flowers means less fruit. If growers in these regions are lucky enough to avoid late-season frosts, they can look forward to a healthy crop.
South Dakota, for instance, has less annual precipitation than most regions, and this results in lower-quality fruit. South Dakota experiences extreme temperature swings which increases the likelihood of late-season frosts that limit the amount of apples produced in a growing season.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change impacts apple farming a great deal. Extreme weather events are becoming the norm. Regions that were famous for apple production could find themselves in a climate that is far less conducive to apple production.
Wind events and severe storms can also ruin the trees or a specific season’s crop. Extreme temperature swings are extremely detrimental to apple production due to their effect on crop production and quality. Droughts are becoming more common and more extreme, and they greatly affect fruit quality and can even kill apple trees.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Apple picking is a staple of the fall season. Apple orchards are becoming more popular than ever. Their numbers are increasing in many areas of the United States. Apple-picking events bring families out of their homes and most will make a day or even a weekend out of these types of activities. Not only are the apple orchards receiving business, but other local restaurants and businesses also benefit.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
Apples are very nutrient-dense fruits that have a filling effect. They are wonderful fruits that aid in weight loss. Apples are also very good aids for heart and gut health. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Consumers can support local apple farmers by purchasing local apples and other apple products from local farmers during the peak apple season. They can encourage their friends, family, and neighbors to assist the local growers to help aid the local economy.
Eating local produce is beneficial not only to the local economy but also to the world. Money stays in the local economy and we aren’t shipping produce from all areas of the world with unfriendly transportation methods.
Local apples are much healthier than apples from a grocery store. People can volunteer at local apple farms to help with the extensive work that goes into apple production. Eating local apples is a win for everybody.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
Apples have insect and disease pressure which ultimately leads to less sustainable growing practices. An effective integrated pest management plan can go a long way in preventing these pressures. When prevention fails, they have plans in place starting with the most environmentally friendly and gradually becoming more harsh. An IPM plan utilizes chemicals only as a last resort. Cultural, biological, and mechanical practices can hopefully limit, if not eliminate, the need for unsustainable practices.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Cold winters and hot summers, with extended periods of sunlight exposure, low humidity, and occasional rainfall are ideal for apple growing. Eastern Washington soils are rich in nutrients due to their volcanic proximity. Access to water is also important.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
- Uncertainty in otherwise expected weather patterns.
- Climate-induced stress on plants that are otherwise not adapted to extreme heat or extreme cold at different points of their biological cycle.
- Unexpected weather can lead to more generations of insect pests, the appearance of insect pests not native to these areas, or more recurrence of fungal/bacterial infections.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
I have not researched this, but agritourism is not an option for Washington State because it is not close to large urban centers, different from the Northeastern U.S.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Increase their consumption of fresh apples. Instead of going to the processed snack, eat a fresh apple.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
Our apple industry understands that environmental sustainability is not against economic sustainability. In my opinion, the most challenging is the unexpected component of environmental conditions.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Apples are a “temperate” crop, meaning that they are adapted to temperate zones. In North America, the ideal areas are those that have the right blend of temperatures (not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter, and a long enough growing season). Not surprisingly, many of these are in northern states (Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.). Other areas are in more southern states but with higher elevation (to again give that appropriate temperature range).
The ideal conditions for producing quality apples are warm sunny days to maximize the tree’s ability to make lots of sugar through photosynthesis, and cool nights that drive the accumulation of that sugar in the developing fruit. There are apple varieties and management practices that are better suited to less ideal conditions (hotter summers, for example), but producing good quality apples in these marginal regions is more challenging.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Warmer summer temperatures will affect fruit quality (sugar accumulation) as the plants will respire (use up) more of that sugar for plant growth and survival, meaning less left over for the developing fruit. Also, warmer summers can work to the advantage of insect pests that can grow and reproduce more rapidly, and therefore build up to more damaging populations.
The trees can also suffer more heat-related stress, where they may need more irrigation water to make it through hot spells. Despite additional irrigation water, trees may still suffer heat damage. One example of this is sunburn on the developing fruit that causes blemishes on the fruit, which may affect whether or not the fruit can survive storage and transport to the consumer.
Warmer temperatures in late winter and early spring will cause the trees to wake up and begin growing earlier –– before the risk of spring freezes has passed. In colder regions, the result is freeze damage to the developing flowers, and freeze-damaged flowers don’t form fruit. The result can be complete crop loss. Over the past decade, this has happened across large geographic areas such as the Great Lakes region in several years.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
There are several big challenges facing apple producers. One of the biggest is the cost and availability of labor. Although there has been a lot of research to develop automation equipment, much of the process of managing apple trees is still very labor intensive (pruning, thinning, harvesting, for example).
Growers struggle to find workers who have the skills and the willingness to do this intensive physical labor. Many of the growers in my region have turned to using legal “guest workers” who come to the U.S. on “H-2A” visas from other countries to work during the busy parts of the season. However, the process of getting visas approved for these workers is expensive.
In addition, the federal government regulates their pay rate by region (for typical fruit-growing states, this wage rate is between $17 and $19 per hour). Under this program, the employer also pays for their immigration paperwork, their housing, and their transportation.
Recently, apple prices have been flat or declining as production costs have been going up, making it more and more difficult for apple growers to stay in business. Most of the apples consumed go through the grocery store supply chain, which doesn’t give the growers any control over what they receive for the fruit.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Eat more apples, particularly fresh and in season. Where possible, buy directly from local producers. If this isn’t practical, don’t be afraid to ask the produce manager at your grocery store where they source their apples and why they don’t source more from local, or at least regional, producers.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Like other tree fruit, apples require sunlight, water, and soil with good internal drainage. They also require exposure to adequate amounts of winter chilling, often referred to as “chill hours” (hours <45 °F or between 32 and 45 °F) that are necessary for proper growth and fruit set in the following spring. Lastly, the highest yields and best quality are often achieved in regions like Washington state (east of the Cascades), which not only has the aforementioned conditions but also has an arid climate. Low humidity/lack of rain and high sunlight during the growing season results in less disease, higher yields, and better fruit quality (especially red color development), as compared to other regions that have more rainy/cloudy conditions.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change is affecting apple production in several ways. Higher temperatures during summertime can damage fruit and reduce fruit quality. To counter this, some growers have resorted to using overhead sprinklers to keep the fruit and the foliage cooler. In regions that normally receive only marginal amounts of winter chilling for specific varieties, lack of chilling is becoming an increasingly greater concern, resulting in lower yields and poor tree health. Warmer temperatures may also exacerbate insect and disease issues.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Agritourism serves as a source of supplemental and more diverse income for many operations. Growers can create a unique experience for retail customers, beyond merely buying produce. This is especially valuable where most of the customers are from urban areas who would otherwise have little exposure to rural life and agriculture.
Common examples include “U-Pick” or “pick-your-own” operations where growers may experience some product loss but are also able to save on labor for picking. On the flip side, customers gain a memorable experience that they would never have if they simply bought at grocery stores. Other examples of agritourism activities include tours, renting out outdoor venues for events like weddings, and special events like fall festivals.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
- Apples are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and vitamin E.
- Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps promote gastrointestinal health and digestion.
- Apples also contain phytochemicals like quercetin and anthocyanins that are proven to reduce inflammation.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
The best way to support local apple farmers, or fruit farmers in general, is simply to buy from them and buy local. Many smaller operations also offer value-added products such as apple butter, apple juice, and apple sauce, as well as delicious baked goods like apple doughnuts and apple fritters.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
In addition to extreme weather events like cold, heat, etc., apple production is afflicted by many pests and diseases such as rust, scab, bitter rot, and fire blight. If left unmanaged, these ailments can destroy crops and make fruit unmarketable. Another major challenge to the production of apples is finding and retaining dependable and affordable labor. Horticultural crops such as fruit are generally very labor-intensive. Some of the greatest labor-dependent tasks include pruning and picking.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
While apples can be grown in diverse regions and conditions, certain things are required for apple production. First, apples need to be grown on sites that are well-drained and don’t stay wet. Also, apples require a chilling period each year between seasons. So, they must be grown in areas that will accumulate enough chill hours to break dormancy and properly flower and produce fruit.
Drier areas will have fewer disease issues. Areas where there is a wider swing between daytime and nighttime temperatures during fruiting will tend to produce fruits with higher sugar content. Of course, variety plays a large role in how apples react to the environment, too. So regions with good soils that are cold enough to meet the chilling requirements are the best, but generally, apples are fairly adaptable to many climates and regions.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Climate change can impact apple farming in a few ways. Some of the warmer climates that traditionally grow apples could see an inability to reach adequate chilling hours in warm winters. Also, as climates warm, if they stay wet, it will increase disease issues. On the other hand, plants do love carbon dioxide and there has been evidence that plants show increased growth with the rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. But, extreme weather events that may result from climate change can bring droughts and floods, which would be detrimental to the crop.
What are the economic benefits of agritourism, like apple-picking events?
Agritourism and apples fit very well together. Here in NC, we have many agritourism venues that are centered around apple orchards. People like to get out and be in nature and pick their own fruit. They feel like they are invested in the process by harvesting the crop. Also, many of these venues have things like corn mazes, apple cannons, playgrounds, hayrides, and other amenities that people enjoy while out on the farm.
Also, many of these agritourism farms have other value-added products to purchase such as jams, jellies, pastries, apple cider, etc. So the economic benefit comes from the added value that growers receive from selling these products and offering these other activities.
It is also a benefit to tourism in the town or county. Many people come for more than a day to enjoy these places, so the hotel and restaurant businesses in the area also bring more taxes into the city or county. Large events like apple festivals, in particular, bring tourists and vendors that may stay two or three days and provide other merchants in the area with additional clientele during these festivals.
What are 3 health benefits of apples?
The old saying is “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, there is some substance to that saying as apples have many health benefits. Apples have a fairly high content of fiber and water and make an excellent snack that helps to slow digestion and make you feel full longer. Since they are generally low in calories, eating apples instead of higher-calorie snacks can help maintain a healthy weight.
Apples truly can help you live longer – studies support that. Apples in your diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, which are the top two leading causes of death in the US. One study in Australia with women over 70 showed that those who ate an apple a day were 35% less likely to die. Apples can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and may prevent diabetes. Some research suggests that two servings of whole fruits each day can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 36%.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Consumers can certainly support local apple farmers by buying locally at nearby farmer’s markets and fruit stands. Check the point of origin of the fruits you are buying in the supermarket and make sure you are selecting the fruits that are grown locally, or at least in your region.
Visiting pick-your-own venues is a great experience and can support local growers. Consumers should be cognizant of the effort and processes it takes to grow apples. If you live near an orchard, know that there will be activities taking place on that farm.
While you enjoy the vista of having a farm next door, the farmer may need to spray materials to keep diseases and insects out of their crop. These materials have been rigorously tested to be safe for consumers, but make an effort to avoid being where you will come in direct contact with ongoing operations.
Many growers offer value-added products such as ciders, jams, jellies, and pastries. Apple donuts are a delight to eat, as well as apple fritters, pies, and cakes. Support your local farmer by going to their business to buy these things instead of the local big chain supermarket.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
All farmers are inherently sustainable in their practices. In order to protect their land and their environment to continue to farm, they must be aware of the practices they use to protect the land and environment for future years and generations.
While apples are grown in many areas across the US and the world, some of these climates which are ideal for apples are also ideal for plant diseases and insects that attack the tree or the crop. Many of these pests present challenges to control. However, growers only use labeled pesticides to control these pests. Because they are not as effective as previous chemistries, sometimes the grower has to use multiple strategies to combat these pests. However, there are strict guidelines on what can and cannot be used on the crop and there are testing procedures that occur in the US to ensure that the crop is safe from any potentially dangerous pesticides.
Other than these insect and disease pests, the main challenges growers face are weather-related and difficult to mitigate with current technology and have little impact on sustainable practices. However, the frequency of these weather events can impact the sustainability of the industry.

How does climate change impact apple farming?
Growing fruit has always been challenging and filled with uncertainty. Climate change has only increased the challenges. Weather patterns have become more erratic, leading to more frequent severe weather events such as hail storms, which can result in significant crop losses.
Significant changes in temperature, rainfall, and other environmental conditions can result in more diseases and pests. This can make it more challenging for growers to control diseases and pests in their orchards. In some regions, warmer temperatures early in the spring can result in earlier flowering, putting the flower buds, and thus the fruit, at risk of damage due to spring frosts.
These are just some of the ways that a changing climate can negatively impact apple production. Although climate change will continue to make growing fruit more challenging, scientists and growers are working on innovations that will help make fruit production systems more resilient to an ever-changing climate.
Want more information? Check out these resources.
- Weather events make farming riskier and harder
- Climate change and fruit crops: excluding the elements
- Climate change and fruit crops: growing resilient fruit crops
What are three health benefits of apples?
You may have heard the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Although eating an apple a day is not going to prevent all health issues, there are several nutritional benefits associated with apple consumption. Apples are an excellent choice for a healthy snack. According to USApple, apples are an excellent source of fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy digestion and preventing constipation. Apples also contain vitamin C, which is important for a healthy immune system. Apples contain a lot of water and therefore can help keep you hydrated. For more information on health benefits associated with consuming apples, visit usapple.org.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Want to support apple growers? Buy and eat more apples! If you live in a region where apples are produced, buy local fruit from growers when the fruit is in season. We live in an amazing time to be apple consumers with more variety available than ever before. However, apples compete for shelf space at the grocery store with an ever-growing variety of fruits. So if you want to maintain access to the variety and quality of apples we currently have, keep buying and eating apples.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
The last couple of years have been a challenge for apple growers at a national level. Disease, invasive pests, loss of export markets, labor costs, and low apple prices have put tremendous strain on the economic sustainability of apple production for growers. As apple breeders, we are working to help in all the ways we can. By integrating new disease resistance methods, we are striving to produce apple varieties that withstand diseases without needing extra input from farmers, and by breeding for exceptional flavor and texture, we are working to provide farmers with apple varieties consumers demand.

What makes certain regions ideal for growing apples?
Cold winters and moderate growing season temperatures are ideal conditions for growing apples.
How does climate change impact apple farming?
Full bloom is occurring earlier than average when freezing temperatures are more likely. Frost during bloom leads to crop loss. This is occurring in the cooler apple-growing regions. More southern locations are experiencing what is known as a “lack of chill,” where trees do not get enough time being exposed to cool temperatures, and then fail to come out of dormancy.
How can consumers best support local apple farmers?
Consumers should buy the apples they like the most. If it’s locally grown, that is ideal. However, if it’s one that was grown in a different region, that helps the apple industry as a whole.
What challenges do apple farmers face in maintaining sustainable practices?
The biggest challenge is the high cost of labor and the low price they receive for their product. Economic sustainability is the biggest problem growers face regardless of where they are located.
Behind the ranking
First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Top 20 States for Apple Lovers. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 5 categories: Apple Resources and Production, Apple-Themed Experiences, Environmental Challenges, Policies and Cost, and Public Interest. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.
For each of the 50 U.S. states, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each state to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A state’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest “Worst” (No. 20).
Notes:
- The “Worst” among individual factors may not be No. 20 due to ties.
- We collected data on all 50 states but excluded those with missing information, resulting in a final ranking of the top 20 states.
- Georgia was excluded from the ranking due to insufficient data, despite its apple industry.
Sources
PickYourOwn.org, USDA, Cider Guide, FEMA, Sovos ShipCompliant, Google, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alaska Fruit Trees, University of Arizona, UC IPM, Colorado State University, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, askifas, University of Georgia, Hanalei Wastershed Hui, University of Idaho, University of Illinois, Purdue University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Montana State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada Reno, University of New Hampshire, Rutgers, New Mexico State University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, PennState Extension, University of Rhode Island, Clemson Cooperative Extension, South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Utah State University, University of Vermont, The Virginia Fruit Website, Washington State Department of Agriculture, West Virginia University, Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension, University of Wyoming, Yakima County
Final thoughts: Branch out with better tree care
An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but healthy trees need a little extra care to thrive year after year.
Whether you’re nurturing an apple tree for future harvests or just looking to maintain the leafy giants in your yard, proper tree care can keep your landscape looking fresh and fruitful.
Give your trees some TLC with these essential care tips:
- Prune wisely to encourage strong, healthy growth.
- Protect your trees from pests that could ruin your orchard dreams.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
- Keep an eye out for signs of disease and treat them early.
- Water deeply, especially during dry spells, to keep roots happy.
- Manage exposed roots by covering them with organic mulch or planting shade-tolerant groundcovers to prevent damage.
No matter the season, well-cared-for trees make a big impact on your yard’s beauty and sustainability.
Need extra help? Hire a local Lawn Love pro to keep your trees in top shape year-round.
Media resources
Quotes from Lawn Love Editor-in-Chief, Sharon Sullivan:
- Michigan (No. 4) is at the core of cider celebrations, boasting the most apple and cider festivals (29) along with ample top award-winning ciders (2,881).
- Oklahoma (No.18) falls far from the apple tree, ranking last in apple acreage and cideries — making it the least fruitful of the top 20 states for apple enthusiasts.
- Even the best orchards have their worms. Michigan (No. 4), California (No. 5), and North Carolina (No. 8) may have fruitful apple industries, but they’re also bugged by the highest number of apple tree pests.
- New York (No. 2), California (No. 5), and Illinois (No. 19) are at the core of apple curiosity, leading in Google search interest — while in Montana (No. 10), the apple buzz barely makes a peep.
Main photo credit: hedgehog94 | Adobe Stock | License