Apple Picking in Vermont Could Lead to an iPod

Apple Picking in Vermont Could Lead to an iPod

I’ve been apple picking when I was in high school.  It was a part of our fall school trip.  I actually live near that same farm right now and during this time of year the farm is usually very busy.  Well if you live in Vermont you probably already know that certain apple orchards are going to be very busy this time of year because of the annual Apples to iPods contest held by the Vermont Department of Tourism.  If you’re planning on visiting Vermont to picks apples you’re going to want to read on to find out where you can go apple picking for a chance to win an iPod, iPod Shuffle or even an iPad.

Vermont’s pick-your-own orchards offer a chance to win an iPod during the annual “Apples to iPods” promotion that kicks off this Sunday, September 14.

In this technology-meets-agriculture contest, one specially marked wooden apple is hidden in an apple tree at 21 Vermont pick-your-own apple orchards. The lucky apple picker who finds a wooden apple wins an Apple iPod, iPod Shuffle or iPad.

This good-natured promotion of Vermont’s working landscape is in partnership with Woodchuck® Hard Cider, Small Dog Electronics, Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. The State of Vermont first launched this promotion in 2007 with hopes of growing participation at Vermont pick-your-own orchards. Since the launch, participation has been incredibly ‘fruitful’ across Vermont.

“Visiting Vermont’s apple orchards is a long-standing tradition for many and Apples to iPods makes it even more fun for families,” said Megan Smith, Vermont’s Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. “Apple picking is truly a ‘sweet’ experience during Vermont’s beautiful fall foliage season.”

For a sixth year, the Vermont Department of Tourism is also helping the Vermont Foodbank promote Pick for Your Neighbor, where visitors to participating orchards can pick and purchase extra apples to donate to the Foodbank. Last year, Pick for Your Neighbor made nearly 19,000 pounds of apples available to Vermonters in need.

“The need for food assistance is great, throughout Vermont as more than 153,000 of our neighbors look to the Foodbank and our network for support each year,” said Michelle Wallace, program director for the Vermont Foodbank. “This year, with continued support from the Department of Agriculture and additional underwriting support from Woodchuck Hard Cider, we expect to see more delicious Vermont apples making their way to Vermonters in need.”

Vermont’s nearly 4,000 acres of commercial apple orchards produce leading apple varieties: McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Empire. Sixty Vermont orchards produce nearly 1 million bushels of apples annually, valued at approximately $15 million.

For a list of participating orchards, please visit www.applestoipods.com and plan your trip at www.vermontvacation.com.

Official Rules and Regulations:
* Employees of participating apple orchards, the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Small Dog Electronics, and Green Mountain Beverage and their affiliated companies and agencies, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers of alcoholic beverages, and members of the immediate families, or households of such employees are not eligible.

* Prizes include the Apple iPad, iPod touch, and iPod nano. Each prize is preselected for the corresponding apple.

* Winners must contact the Vermont Department of Tourism at 1-800-VERMONT to claim their prize.

Related articles

• Pick an apple, win an iPod in Vermont (wnyt.com)
• “Pick For Your Neighbor” program gets big boost from Vermont Hard Cider Co. (vtdigger.org)
• VT: Go Apple-Picking in Vermont, Pick Up a Free Apple iPad (jaunted.com)