One late Saturday afternoon in October in Willcox, an enormous pumpkin and two little legs wobbled out of a field. It was my daughter toting the biggest pumpkin her four-year-old arms could carry.
Apple Annie’s, and a trip to the nearby vegetable farm, became a tradition for my family. We even took our Brownie and Cub Scout troops — yes, at the same time — to the orchard to pick apples.
That was about 20 years ago and Apple Annie’s has expanded, but it still gives kiddos unparalleled chance to pick their pumpkin and their veggies. (Want to get kids to eat more veggies? Let them dig their greens out of the dirt.)
A family farming operation, Apple Annie’s is owned and operated by John and Annie Holcomb, and other family members. There are two farms: Apple Annie’s Orchard, which specializes in apples, peaches and pears; and Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins, the former Hunsdon Farms that the Apple Annie's team bought in 2003. It has more than 125 acres of vegetables and is the site of the Pumpkin Festival, which continues weekends through October.
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The operation is bigger, but the intent is still the same: old-fashioned harvest experience. Ride the hay wagon, pick fresh vegetables from the ground or farm stands, and, of course, pick a pumpkin from the patch.
There is also a corn maze cut into 20 acres of corn, offering more than 6 miles of pathways and three difficulty levels.
Breakfast, lunch and snack options are available.
Group rates and field trip packages are available, in case you want to take a class or scout troop into the fields. Check for information on its website.
And you'll be helping other Southern Arizonans. Some of the proceeds from all Apple Annie’s special events will benefit the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona, March of Dimes and Youth Haven Ranch. Over the last 11 years Apple Annie's has donated more than $82,500 to these groups, according to the website.
The orchards and fields are open for picking daily, July-October. Apple Annie's will be closing for the season on Oct. 31.
Apple Annie's bought Stout’s Cider Mill building, a Willcox landmark, and opened the Apple Annie’s Orchard Country Store in May 2013. It is year-round retail operation with Apple Annie's products, Amish cheeses and gift items.
