Greetings!
We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Summer Tour will be hosted by Mike and Darcy Sjomeling at Fall Harvest Orchard! Join us for a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at their operation, connect with fellow growers, and gain valuable insights into today’s apple industry. This is a tour you won’t want to miss!
Friday, August 7, 2026 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Fall Harvest Orchard
9048 Ahern Avenue SE
Delano, MN 55328
We have a full and engaging day planned. Here’s what to expect:
9:00 am – Registration & Networking
Check in, grab a coffee and a snack, and connect with fellow growers, vendors, and industry professionals.
9:45 am – Welcome & Orchard Introduction
Mike and Darcy will kick off the day by sharing the story of their orchard, operation, and guest experience offerings.
Tour Rotations
Attendees will rotate through three tour experiences throughout the day at approximately 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and following lunch at 1:00 pm.
Discussions will cover key apple production techniques and new apple varieties. Speakers include University of Minnesota professionals, including David Bedford. This will be a great opportunity to see real-world applications and ask questions along the way.
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Retail Tour & Vendor Visits
Take a look inside Fall Harvest Orchard’s retail operation and learn how they present their apples and value-added products to guests. Discussions will highlight merchandising strategies, pricing, signage, customer engagement, and how they communicate their farm story to the public. Plus, Thaddeus McCamant will also be on hand to discuss picking apples at their peak ripeness for your retail operation.
Explore how Fall Harvest Orchard creates meaningful guest experiences through their agritourism offerings. This tour will include a look at attractions, activities, and on-farm experiences, along with how they engage visitors and encourage repeat customers through memorable family-friendly experiences.
Noon – Lunch: Food & Fellowship
We’re excited to offer two food trucks this year — Fall Harvest Eats and Gouda Q! Please be sure to select your preferred meal option during registration. Enjoy great food and fellowship while connecting with others in the industry.
2:00 p.m. - Discussion & Wrap-Up
Following the tours, we’ll gather for additional discussion, questions, and featured speaking topics before wrapping up the day.
There will be plenty of time throughout the event to visit with vendors, explore available resources, and connect with others to learn what’s happening across the region.
Golf carts and transportation will also be available for anyone who may appreciate a little extra assistance throughout the day.
Vendors & Sponsorship Opportunities
Vendors interested in having a table display during the event are welcome to join us as exhibitors. Simply select the Exhibitor Registration option during registration. Exhibitor registration is the same cost as regular attendee registration and includes participation in the full event.
If you are interested in additional sponsorship opportunities to further support the Minnesota Apple Growers Association and its programs, please reach out to us at mnapplegrower@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you on August 7!
Minnesota Apple Growers Association
Board of Directors
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