Crunch Time Member Spotlight: Dressel Farms
Dressel Farms Is Your One-Stop Apple Destination
Located in the scenic Hudson Valley in New York, Dressel Farms is your one-stop shop for everything you need to get your apple fix. The fourth-generation family farm, bought by the Dressel family in 1957, grows over 20 different apple varieties.
Featuring a year-round road stand and “pick-your-own” weekends, there’s no better place to create your fall memories. And though the farm grows all types of fruit and veggies on its 350-acre land, the majority of its crop production consists of apples – including everyone’s favorite SnapDragon, one of the newest varieties developed by Cornell University’s breeding program.
Fortunately for apple-lovers, SnapDragons were in great supply at Dressel Farms this harvest season – and sweeter and crispier than ever!
This year has been one of the best seasons we’ve had so far for SnapDragon, as the trees have significantly matured,” says Tim Dressel, who works alongside his family in the farm’s operations. “Our crop production has gone up by at least 50% from last harvest season.”
Tim – a Cornell University graduate himself – says the story behind SnapDragon’s origination with Cornell’s breeding program has attracted many people to the homegrown apple, which he describes as being “a great opportunity to bring the science and craft of apple growing into the conversation.”
Tim continues, “It’s been fun to educate the public about apple breeding at our tasting tables and talk about how SnapDragon was born from the seeds of HoneyCrisp. The younger generations are especially drawn to the ‘buy local’ movement when they discover this apple is bred and grown right here in New York State.”
If you’re “seeking the Snap” in the Hudson Valley area, be sure to make a visit to Dressel Farms’ store, open year-round at 271 State Route 208, in New Paltz, NY.