SULTAN, Wash. — Both sides of Washington State are well suited to an expanding hard cider industry owing to an abundance of apples and the growing numbers of consumers looking for more ways to support locally based agriculture. In just a few short years, the Northwest Cider Association has grown to include 18 new cideries producing for regional and national markets. Learn about the entire process by taking the WSU Extension workshop “Hard Cider Making & Orcharding” on March 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ed’s Apples, 13420 339th Ave SE just off SR 2 in Sultan, Wash.
Participants will learn how to grow and maintain a cider orchard as well as learn the steps necessary to create a quality hard cider. Included is an in-depth overview of the topic covering varietal selection, growing and harvest information, as well as an informal look at the production steps from raw fruit to finished bottle.
Cost for the workshop is $70 per person and includes a catered box lunch and copy of the WSU hard cider publication. To register, visit Brown Paper Tickets at http://bit.ly/cider201203 or download the form at http://bit.ly/cider201203pdf and mail with your check. For registration information contact Karie Christensen at 425.357.6039 or e-mail christensen4@wsu.edu.
Instructor Gary Moulton started with the Small Fruit Horticulture Department at the WSU Research Station in Mount Vernon in 1980. In 1991, he took over management of the program. He currently is a consultant for the Western Washington fruit industry and co-authored the WSU publication Hard Cider Production and Orchard Management in the Pacific Northwest.
For more information on the workshop, contact Andrew Corbin, corbina@wsu.edu or 425-357-6012.
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