What these hard-working farmers contribute to life here is far more. Their farms ensure the continuation of a traditional way of life and the preservation of vast acres of greenspace that give our landscape a unique texture. High on a hillside in Walpole, is one such farm, an orchard with 360 views. But unlike many of the farms up and down the fertile Connecticut Valley, this orchard is of recent vintage. Over the long winter, Zeke prunes every one of the 30,000 trees himself, accompanied by his three dogs, Butter, Moses and Sadie.
Harvest times call for help.
If their approach to growing fruit is uncommon, so are the results. Biting into one of the orchard's fine eating apples, like the Honey Crisp, is a revelation. There are over 60 varieties of apples to choose from, including heirlooms, the traditional varieties that are the future for small orchards like Alyson's. Like the best things in the Monadnock Region, Alyson's Orchard will be here for a long time. With the support of their children, Bob and Susan Jasse have placed the orchard in a trust.