Edwards Apple Orchard West

Robert Edwards Sr., along with wife Betty, started Edwards Orchard in Poplar Grove, IL in 1964. His son Michael and wife Lynn established Edwards Apple Orchard West in 1988, starting with 34 bushels of apples and their first harvest of pumpkins. The orchard now features 18 varieties of apples from over 5000 trees and is a family-run business with their three children actively involved in operations, striving to maintain an intimate family atmosphere and tradition. The renovated dairy barn was built in 1893. The season runs from the end of August through Thanksgiving weekend. They employ about 40 people during the fall season and one full-time employee year-round. Michael's son Brian (1990) works full-time at the orchard, Kristin (1991) works part-time and manages the donut kitchen, and Kari (1995) works full-time specializing in merchandising and accounting. They are truly a jack of all trades, working in the apple orchard, making donuts, and doing office work. The original Edwards Orchard was sold to Robert's daughter Barb and her husband Ken Hall in 1990. Michael and Lynn Edwards started Edwards Apple Orchard West in 1988. The orchard features 18 different varieties of crisp apples from over 5000 trees, freshly made apple cider, and apple cider donuts. They also have a pumpkin patch with pick-ur-own pumpkins and pick-ur-own raspberries. The children's play area includes a wooden bus and train, a school house, corn cribs with troughs of corn for kids to play in, and a petting farm with a goat walk. On weekends and holidays, they offer pony rides and wagon rides into the orchard for an additional cost. The renovated dairy barn, built in 1893, has many different rooms with gift items and food products on display, where customers can purchase apples, cider, and donuts. The season runs from the end of August through Thanksgiving weekend. Besides the five family members, they have about 40 employees during the fall season and one full-time employee year-round. They stri