Using the Church Orchard

We have been blessed with having a church orchard close to us in the Caldwell/Sunny Slope area on the way to Marsing. This orchard supplies our cannery as well as other canneries with fruit for the church welfare program. The fruit is used all around the world. Our stake does not have official assignments with the orchard like we do the cannery, but we can still go out and pick or purchase surplus fruit. This makes a great family or youth group activity. Call first to see the hours they are picking and what the schedule is. You can take your children out morning or evening depending on the shifts.

Directions

Caldwell Idaho LDS Orchard

(Where you pick fruit)

19491 Apricot Ln, Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 459-3993

•   Take I-84/ID-55 S toward Nampa Caldwell (11.9 mi)

•   Take exit 33A toward ID-55 N/Nampa/Marsing (.4 mi)

•   Merge onto ID-55/Midland Blvd. Continue to follow ID-55 (10.4 mi)

•   Turn left on Chicken Dinner Road (Yes, that really is the name) (1.0 mi)

•   Turn right on Apricot Ln ( .5 mi)

•   Turn left - Caldwell Orchards are on the left.

•   Go up the road and you will find the packing houses, orchard manager’s house, and paths to the orchards.

Ranch 2 (Robison Fruit Ranch & Wholesale Packing House)

(Where you purchase already picked fruit.)

15515 Frost Rd, Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 459-3993 (The corner of Pear Ln. and Frost Rd.)

A few years ago the church bought Robison's orchards as well as the packing house. This is used for a staging area for fruit brought from other orchards and they do more of the church's pears.

How do I find out what fruit is in season?

1.    Call the orchard answering machine 208-459-3993. They leave a message about the picking schedule.

2.    Go to the website www.caldwellidahoorchard.com. They post what is happening and what they are currently picking.

3.    Go to the facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/caldwellorchard

What is a General Schedule for the Picking of Fruit?

The actual schedule depends on the season and weather. This is an approximate.

Cherries--June 20-July 4 (They sell to public until gone. They do not process at canneries.)

Apricots--June 27-mid July (They sell to public until gone. They do not process at canneries.)

Plums--Mid August-first week of September (15, 30, & 70 cents/pound depending on grade)

Peaches--Mid August-Mid September

Apples--Mid August-November

Pear--Mid August-September (15, 25, & 35 cents/pound depending on grade)

Typical Apple Season Order-- Gala>Jonathon>Golden Delicious>Rome>a few Fuji

The orchard does not have a lot of peaches this year. However, they just planted 8,000 trees and so there will be more peaches in future years.

How Do I Volunteer to Harvest Fruit?

1.    Call up and see what is in season and what they are picking and the hours of operation 208-459-3993.

2.    Go to the main sheds and see where they are picking. There is usually a sign pointing the right direction or someone might be around.

3.    Go to the orchards that you are directed to go to.

4.    Get a picking basket for everyone picking. They are usually located in bins by the areas where they are picking.

5.    Ladders and bins are usually where you are instructed to pick.

6.    Pick fruit and put into bins throughout the orchard.

7.    Report volunteer hours and number of people picking at the packing sheds buy the house. This is important. They report this for tax purposes.

How do I Buy Fruit for Myself?

Buying Fruit I have Picked.

Ask someone who works there if you are allowed to purchase some fruit you have picked. (This sometimes depends on how heavy the crop is and if they will be able to deliver the quota they need to supply the canneries.) After you have performed your volunteer hours, you can pick for yourself. Be sure to bring your own boxes. On the way out you can stop at the packing shed and weigh your fruit. Be sure to bring a check or cash to pay them. They do not take credit cards.

Buying Fruit I have not Picked.

Go to the Pear Lane and Frost Location. They usually have pears, plums, and a variety of apples. The hours are 9-4 M-F. Bring boxes. They have a few boxes to purchase, but you can bring bags or other containers from home and just fill them out of the large fruit bins.

Can I Take the Fruit on the Ground?

After you have given volunteer hours, you are allowed to pick the windfall or fruit that has touched the ground. Be sure to bring your own boxes. Remember, however, that the reason you are allowed to take the “windfall” on the ground is because it spoils faster because of possible bruising or being contaminated by anything on the ground. That is why you cannot put it in the bins. Much of it is still good fruit. You will have to sort through it more regularly at home and will need to preserve or use it in a timely manner.

Volunteer Opportunities

You can contact the orchard manager Steve Baird at 208-573-6400. There are so many great opportunities for Activity Days, Scouts, Young Men and Women, Priesthood, and Relief Society.

1.    Planting trees--March, They will be planting red delicious trees next spring.

2.    Thinning fruit--April on (We have taken Boy Scouts out to camp in the orchard. They thinned the fruit the next morning. They had a great time.)

3.    Picking Fruit--June 20 to November (This makes a great family and youth activity.)

4.    Cutting Firewood-- They have wood 2-4 inches in circumference and about 4 feet long. It is free - you must cut into shorter pieces. Scouts can cut wood to raise money or supply a widow or people in need. People can get wood for themselves also.

5.    Eagle Projects--Call Brother Baird for available projects.