Blake Slaybaugh Joins the Honeycrisp Experts
- Guadalupe Manzo
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
At Mt. Ridge Farms, we don’t just grow apples, we live and breathe them. Our history is rooted in the discovery of the Premier Honeycrisp, a unique strain found right here in our family orchard by Steve and Dave Slaybaugh in 2010. This special apple, which ripens a full three weeks earlier than the standard Honeycrisp, has changed the way we look at the harvest season.
Because of our deep connection to this variety, we are always looking for ways to share our knowledge and learn from others in the industry. Recently, our Vice President, Blake Slaybaugh, had the honor of representing Mt. Ridge Farms Inc. on a featured panel at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention (MAFVC) in Hershey, PA.
Sharing Insights on the Honeycrisp Intensive
The session, held at the Hershey Lodge, brought together some of the brightest minds in pomology to discuss "Challenges and Opportunities with Honeycrisp." Blake joined fellow growers and industry experts on the panel to dive deep into what it takes to produce the high-quality apples our customers have come to expect.
The panel was a cornerstone of a day-long "Honeycrisp Intensive" that covered every aspect of the apple's lifecycle, including:
Soil and Nutrition: Understanding Pennsylvania soil preparation and new fertilization programs to maximize tree performance.
Crop Load Management: Strategies for pruning and thinning to ensure the best fruit size and quality.
Storage Excellence: Exploring harvest management and storage protocols to keep Honeycrisp crisp and delicious long after they leave the tree.
Disease Management: Addressing specific challenges in maintaining healthy Honeycrisp crops.
Why This Matters for Mt. Ridge Farms
Participating in these sessions is vital for our farm's mission. When we discovered the Premier Honeycrisp (originally known as DAS 10), we knew we had something special, an apple with all the classic Honeycrisp qualities but with the advantage of an earlier window.
By staying at the forefront of industry research, from disease management to the latest rootstock trials, we ensure that every Premier Honeycrisp you get from Mt. Ridge Farms is backed by both traditional family expertise and cutting-edge agricultural science.
Looking Ahead
We are proud of Blake for representing the Slaybaugh family and our team on such a prestigious stage. It is conversations like these that help us continue to provide you with the very best of Adams County’s harvest.
Whether it’s through new strains or improved growing techniques, we remain committed to the apple that started it all for us. Stay tuned to our social media for more updates from the farm!
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