Cider Hill Farm

Meet co-owners Karen & Glenn Cook

Who we are: Nestled in Amesbury, Mass., Cider Hill Farm is a 145-acre family farm tended and cared for with an old-fashioned work ethic combined with modern strategies that increase organic matter. Our mission is to cultivate, nurture and grow relationships. Growing good food is simply a byproduct of this mission and the calling of our dedicated farm family. With three generations committed to the future of Cider Hill Farm, we know relationships are vital to our health and well-being. The farm is a place to come with family members to create and share memories.

What we produce: While Cider Hill Farm is best known for our variety of pick-your-own fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches and apples, we also grow diverse fruits and vegetables that are harvested for our farm store and CSA Farm Share program.

Our fields are full of early season leafy greens, such as spinach and arugula, plus herbs, mesclun, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, eggplant, beets, summer squash, zucchini, watermelon, blackberries, cantaloupe, corn and winter squash. And the farm’s 10 greenhouses are dedicated solely to growing our award-winning beefsteak tomatoes.

With over 10,000 fruit trees, our orchards are filled with sweet and sour cherries, grapes, nectarines, pluots, pears and over 70 varieties of apples, including fan favorites such as Gala, Fuji, Cortland, Gingergold, Mutsu, Braeburn, McIntosh and Honeycrisp. Along with eating and baking apples, we have over 1,000 heritage-style apple trees that are used specifically for the production of our own 100-percent orchard hard cider, which is made and bottled here on the farm.

Along with fresh fruits and veggies, we have 600 free-range hens that lay our farm eggs and our twelve 30-year-old bee hives that not only pollinate the crops but also produce our honey. New for 2021 is our Flower Cutting Garden, opening mid-summer.

Why you should try it: Cider Hill is a one-stop shop for all families. From the chicken coop and trikes for the kids to their hard cider bar events for the parents there is always something for everyone. Be sure to wander around their farm store to find fresh baked goods, unique treats, local products and more!

Where to find it: Right at the farm, located at 45 Fern Ave., Amesbury, Mass. Check out our website (ciderhill.com) for a variety of events, including farm fitness pop-ups, hard cider events, kids programming and more.

— Rob Levey

Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.