Cornell Orchards

The orchards also serve as a living laboratory to hundreds of Cornell students every year, giving future generations of growers and researchers hands-on experience with virtually all aspects of fruit production. Teaching focus areas include pomology (growing apples, pears and other fruit), viticulture (growing grapes), enology (making wine), orchard management, and agricultural engineering.

The Orchards are currently closed to visitors due to COVID-19. But usually, more than a 1,000 schoolchildren visit the Orchards each fall to taste apples, see how cider is made, and learn where fruit comes from. Hundreds of visitors, including fruit growers and professionals from local wineries and cideries, visit Cornell Orchards each year for special events.

Additional plantings include peaches, cherries and pears, novelty fruits such as hardy kiwis and pawpaws, chestnuts, and of course a plethora of old and new apple varieties. Several apple trees at the Orchards are over 100 years old and still thriving. Students, faculty and staff appreciate the farm-fresh apples and other fruit, grown right next to campus and served at Cornell Dining locations and other eateries on campus.