Red Jacket Orchards

Located in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State along the rolling hills of Seneca Lake, Red Jacket Orchards has mastered the art of harvesting and pressing premium fruits and juices! Three generations of the Nicholson family have grown apples and summer fruits, including berries, currants, cherries, peaches, plums, and the largest apricot orchard on the East Coast. Founded in 1958, what began as a local fruit farm has grown to a trusted producer of finest fresh and healthy foods. In addition to producing fresh fare, Red Jacket Orchards (RJO) offers a range of cold-pressed, all-natural juices and pantry items. Their juice building is LEED certified and partially dependent on solar energy. RJO are proud of their proprietary production methods which combine traditional and cutting-edge production techniques, including holistic & biodynamic practices, contributing to their orchard's sustainability. In 2006, Red Jacket Orchards installed nearly two acres of high-tech high tunnels, which provide an advantageous environment for tender crops. They are one of very few orchards in the eastern United States that grow tree fruit in this way and are exploring similar approaches for different crops. Additionally, by delicately managing soil fertility, RJO avoids excessive weed growth and maintains the balance of the orchard’s ecosystem. RJO’s fertility practices increasingly rely on natural fertility and organic-based inputs, such as seaweed-based foliar materials. RJO cooperates with its beekeepers to minimize threats to honeybee and local native pollinator populations. In 2012, RJO installed bee boxes around its orchards; these bee boxes will help attract & establish populations of native pollinators to augment the activities of traditional honeybees.