The Apple Orchard Virtual Field Trip

A Trip to the Apple Orchard

Journey with your students to Hoch Orchard & Gardens located in La Crescent, Minnesota. Learn about the orchard’s history, daily functions, geographic region and fruit processing. Videos were produced by University of Minnesota students in the Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing program. 

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Welcome to Hoch Orchard and Gardens 

​Hoch Orchard & Gardens
By Katrina Paulson

As we visit Hoch Orchard & Gardens, Jackie Hoch takes us through the orchard and explains the operation. She discusses the types of apples they grow and how they know when they are ready to begin harvest.

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Weather and Geography
​By Katrina Paulson 

Back at Hoch Orchard & Gardens, Jackie explains the weather benefits of being located on top of the bluffs in the Driftless Region. She explains how the weather can change as you move down into the valleys and the impact that has on apple trees.

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Apples: From Tree to You
​By Katrina Paulson 

Jackie and Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchard & Gardens walk us through the apple process from tree to packaging. Jackie describes picking practices and how they maneuver through the orchard. Harry takes us inside the processing facility and shows us how they clean, sort and package their apples for sale and further processing.

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