To see the phrase “everything is just peachy” in action, take a good look around Virginia this summer. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) says that farmers anticipate a very good peach crop this year with heavy volumes being harvested between now and the end of August. The state’s peach season just began with the first early varieties and the abundant supply should last through early September.
Plenty of rain this spring was good for the trees, and drier conditions in June and July were perfect for bringing out the fruit’s sugar to develop a sweet-tasting peach.
Successful peach production requires growing varieties that are adapted to local growing conditions. Many varieties perform well in Virginia and the state’s growers offer an assortment of yellow, white and donut peaches as well as nectarines. The state’s main peach-growing regions are in Central, Northern and Southwestern Virginia, but consumers may find pick-your-own farms in many other areas.
Because different varieties ripen during different times of the season, there’s a plentiful supply of fruit throughout the summer months. Right now farmers are picking Ruby Prince, Red Haven, Summer Pearl, Sure Prince, Challenger, LA White, Topaz and other varieties, to be followed by Blake, Encore, Laurol, Loring, Redhaven, Sentry, Sugar Giant, Sugar May and White Lady.
Peach fans can visit VirginiaGrown.com to locate pick-your-own orchards and markets selling tree-ripened Virginia peaches. In addition to fresh peaches, some orchard markets and farm stands offer special events and peach treats to attract customers throughout the season. A list of sample events and a recipe link is below. Many neighborhood markets, grocery stores and supermarkets also offer Virginia Grown peaches.
According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data from the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Virginia has 244 peach farms with a total of 1,375 bearing-age acres. In 2012, Virginia produced 6,500 tons of peaches valued at almost $6 million. The five-year ag census will be updated after the 2017 growing season.
Farmers, consumers and markets are encouraged to use the social media hashtag #VirginiaGrown to share what’s fresh throughout the season.
A SAMPLING OF PEACH EVENTS IN VIRGINIA
Peach Festival
33rd Annual Homemade Peach Ice Cream Days and Pick-Your-Own-Pancakes
Chiles Peach Orchard
1351 Greenwood Rd
Crozet, VA 22932
August 5 – 6, 2017
Pick your own…pancakes! The scrumptious pancake breakfasts include all-you-can-eat pancakes with seasonal fruit topping, plus a side of sausage and coffee/milk/orange juice.
Every weekend in August: Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – noon
Find recipes from sangria to salads, pizza to popsicles at chilesfamilyorchards.com/news/7-just-peachy-summer-recipes
Marker-Miller Orchards
3035 Cedar Creek Grade
Winchester, VA 22602
540.662.1391
Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Everything peaches – peach cobbler, peach pie, peach turnovers, peach ice cream, fresh peaches galore. Music from 1-3 p.m. A variety of food will be available at the food building. Kids can hop aboard the cow train and enjoy the view during the wagon ride around the farm.
www.markermillerorchards.com/events/festivals/
Patrick County Annual Peach Festival
Wayside Park, Stuart
August 18, begins at 4 p.m.
The Virginia State Peach Festival began in 1988 to recognize and promote the peach harvest of Patrick County. Festival events feature music concerts, fresh local peaches, craft fair, historical demonstrations, food vendors and much more. No admission charge and camping is available. Food vendors on site. Peach orchards represented. Peach desserts, peach ice cream, peach flavored drinks. Free parking. Local barbeque available.
www.patrickchamber.com/events.cfm?view=Scheduled (Scroll down to listings for August)
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