Carol Hillman of New Salem Cider talks with Claire, Monte, and Kaliis about their family farm, apples, cider, and hard cider in honor of Cider Days.

Hillman shares how they acquired the overgrown orchard in 1968, but she and her husband had a vision of what it could be. “It was a beautiful opportunity to bring good food–good apples–back to western Massachusetts.” She continues, “Really the beauty of this particular piece of land is staggering to me every day.”

The hard cider is relatively new–the farm is in their fourth year pressing hard cider. Hillman says,  “It’s so interesting to me that hard cider is what brings the people. I don’t care what brings the people, as long as they get out in nature, have a few moments of repose with their friends and family, bring a picnic and just sit here for a while.”

98-year-old Hillman is a teacher, and sees the farm as a place for learning. “The farm has been a place for kids and parents to learn. It’s a place to learn a work ethic and how to look to the land and learn to take care of it.”

Photos courtesy of NEPM.