Sholan Farms is owned by the City of Leominster and operated by the Friends of Sholan Farms. The Friends of Sholan Farms is a community-supported, non-profit organization.

Sholan Farms is located at 1125 Pleasant Street, Leominster, MA 01453; Mailing address: P.O. Box 632, Leominster, Mass 01453 978-840-FARM; Web: www.sholanfarms.com. The friends meetings take place on the third Wednesday of every other month beginning in February.

June 18, 2008, 6PM Annual Meeting & Elections Fidelity Bank Leominster Connector

For additional opportunities please check the website or call for more information.

Visit the last working apple orchard in Leominster, the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman). Your visit will be a memorable one! Situated on a hilltop with panoramic views of surrounding hills and even of Boston on a clear day, the farm provides cross-country skiing, walking trails, bird watching, picnic area and a variety of cultural and folk events throughout the year. In season, pick from a large variety of spectacular native apples as they ripen.

Apple Tree Pruning Exercises - Saturdays Jan - March 10AM - 1 PM weather permitting. Come learn the art of pruning and enjoy the fresh air. In addition brush burning will be conducted weather permitting.

How to dress… dress warm, wear tall, insulated boots and several layers of socks. Recommend chap stick and dry skin protection.

Tools to bring: Choose one of the following: By-pass hand shears, By-pass loppers. Wheeler saw, Pruning “pull” saw: A nine-inch, crescent shaped blade attached to a horizontal handle. A VERY sharp three edged blade which cuts on the draw.

7^th Annual Apple Blossom Festival - May 10, 2008 (Rain Date May 17, 2008 – 10am-4pm)

The 7^thAnnual Sholan Farms Apple Blossom Festival celebrates the advent of spring in the Central Massachusetts region as evidenced by the blooming of the apple trees.

The Festival is a civic celebration organized and operated by the Friends of Sholan Farms.

Sholan Farms is grateful to our many local, regional and national business sponsors for helping to partially fund this event. The 7^thAnnual Sholan Farms Apple Blossom Festival will be held on May 10, 2008 from 10:00AM until 4:00PM (rain date May 17, 2008). Entertainment scheduled to appear: Leominster High Marching Band, Ragged Hero’s, Kevin Bliss Self Defense Center, Leominster Jazz Band, Bagpipe Procession and Butterfly Release at 2:30, and Crafters.

The Festival is an event the whole family can enjoy with children’s activities, crafters, pony rides, music and food. The astounding success of the Sholan Farms Apple Blossom Festival is a direct product of the committed energy of many members of our community. Without their dedication, support and participation, producing this event would not be possible. Since 2002, the Apple Blossom Festival has grown and become a community event almost synonymous with spring to both local residents and visitors alike. For more information contact the event co chairs Peggy Christoforo at 978-534-4810 or email to Machristo@aol.com, or Neal Wynn at 978-870-8560 or email neal_wynne@comcast.net or call 978-840-FARM.

Sholan Farms Community Garden - Calling All Gardeners - This year, Sholan Farms will be hosting a 30-plot community garden that will be open to community members. The plots will be awarded on a first come basis. This community garden is being planned, coordinated, developed, and managed by The Friends of Sholan Farms. For more information about the Sholan Farms Community Garden contact: Co-Chairs Maureen Angelini 978-537-5195 or Nilah Gerhard 978-840-0785, Cell 978-407-4343 or Sholan Farms 978-840-3276 email: communitygardens@sholanfarms.com.

Sholan Farms Offers Blooming Good Orchard Tours - May 5-May 17, 2008 Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant Street, Leominster, Ma 01453

The Apple Blossom Season is one of jubilance and celebration. Sholan Farms offers one-hour guided tours through the blizzard of spring apple blossoms. The tours are offered to groups (Max of 25). Please contact the farm to schedule a tour. All tours are on a first-come first-serve basis. Savor the fresh scent of apple blossoms as you enjoy a one-hour guided tour followed by a light snack. ($3.00 per person Children under 5 free) Our 25-seat wagon takes you into an apple orchard where our staff will share interesting tidbits regarding the pollination to harvest process. Friendly reminders:

· May weather can fluctuate from warm to chilly, so bring a jacket

Pick-Your-Own Apples and Raspberries - The Season runs from Late August through October: Daily 10AM – 6:00PM. Harvest Weekend – August 29-September 1. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m (weather permitting). For information call 978-840-FARM or visit us online at www.sholanfarms.com for information about events, volunteer opportunities, and membership. All events are subject to change.

This year Sholan Farms has a stunning crop of apples waiting to be picked. Our varieties include: Marshall McIntosh, Macoun, Empire, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Paula Reds, Crabapples, Red and Golden Delicious. The Pumpkin Season is scheduled to start September 24, 2008.

Our store shelves will be stocked with fresh picked apples, candles, home made jelly, honey from our own hives, cider and when in season; gourds, mums, squash, pumpkins, and more. The bakers will be busy again making apple deserts and other treats. Our concession stand will be open on weekends serving hot dogs, apple crisp, cider, coffee, cookies and other special delights.

Tours, Outings and Hayrides - Sholan Farms offers tours of our seasonal operations to schools and other groups on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations are made for groups of up to 50 people starting the last week in August running through October 31st. Tour hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. A small per-person fee is charged. For reservations, please call 978-840-FARM. On a tour you can expect to see the 169-plus acres of farmland which includes orchard, meadows, and forests. The tours last about 30 minutes. All children receive complementary ¼ peck of apples, cider, and snack.

The Sky’s the Limit – Sneak Peek – August 16 through August 29^{th -} Get a jump on the crowd for the first apples of the season: mouth watering Paula Red Apples. Tours and apple picking available by appointment only.

8th Annual Harvest Festival – August 28 – Sept 1, 2008, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Live Entertainment, Apple Picking, hayrides, hiking, and good old fashioned fun at Sholan Farms. Great food, and so much more at this fun family time!

Cream of the Crop Weekend – Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2008 - Join us as we unveil the finest eating apple in the region – The cream of the crop celebration begins Wednesday with open house and continues throughout the weekend. Want a perfect no-fat dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth?

Macoun may just be your apple, but, hurry, these special apples are only available in the Fall. Macoun was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1932. It's named for a famous Canadian fruit breeder.

7th Annual Scarecrow Festival October 11, 2008 (rain date Oct 18) 10 a.m.- 4p.m. - View & Vote for your favorite scarecrows. Story telling as you tour the haunted orchard. Enjoy free live entertainment on Saturday, great food, numerous free, interactive children's events, and so much more at this fun family festival! Again this year will be pumpkin carving. All events are subject to change.

Other festival’s and fairs were Sholan Farms Apples and volunteers can be found at -

Sterling Fair - Sept 5, 6, 7 2008

Bolton Fair – Sept 19 & 20 2008(http://www.boltonfair.org/),

Johnny Appleseed Festival – September 2008

The Sky’s the Limit – Sneak Peek – August 16 through August 29th - Get a jump on the crowd for the first apples of the season: mouth watering Paula Red Apples. Tours and apple picking available by appointment only.

The Sky’s the Limit – Sneak Peek – August 16 through August 29^{th -} Get a jump on the crowd for the first apples of the season: mouth watering Paula Red Apples. Tours and apple picking available by appointment only.