Under a red, yellow and purple Indiana autumn sunset rests anorchard of forbidden fruit.
In a white barn adjacent to the field of red-bulb dressed trees,silver wind chimes dance in the breeze and the aroma of apples stirthe hunger of those in search of the perfect treat.
Kelly Holstein, who has been the owner of Heritage Farms inMuncie for the past two years, smiled reminiscently and shook hishead as he spoke of previous sales jobs.
"People were horrible, they always seemed to be mad aboutsomething," Holstein said. Holstein said visitors to the orchardare relaxed and happy to make a purchase, which makes his job muchmore enjoyable.
"Money is not what it's about," Holstein said. "It's getting outhere and being a part of Mother Nature."
Holstein's father Murl Holstein, was the realtor who sold theproperty to his son. He said he immediately thought it was a placehis son would enjoy.
"It's a tough business -- very labor intensive," Murl Holsteinsaid. "Some people might think it's kind of goofy to come out hereand make the kind of money that he makes."
Cocoa, a black spotted white dog, playfully jumped circlesaround his owner as he walked towards five box-shaped bee hives.Kelly Holstein, a previous employee at Minnetrista, has beenstudying bees and apples for the past couple of years.
As he unveiled one side of the buzzing insect home with anunprotected hand, Holstein explained the importance of bees in thepollination process of the trees.
"I'm here everyday, all day," Kelly Holstein said. KellyHolstein demonstrated how to use the apple picker, a long woodenstick with an oval-shaped orange wire claw. The picker helpsHolstein save time on the ladder by pulling down several apples atonce.
Other than one volunteer who cashes out the customers, Holsteinruns the orchard single handedly -- picking, trimming, cutting andspraying the orchard.
Caroline Allen has worked on the orchard for over 20 years,working for the two previous owners of Heritage Farms.
"It's more than one person can do," Allen said. Allen said sheplanned to work for Holstein as the business blossomed.
"He's just getting started," Allen said. "I hope he makes it bigtime because he's a good guy. If he sticks to it, he'll getit."
The second week of September through October is the time to pickthe fist-sized fruit, Kelly Holstein said. Usually the businesscloses around Halloween, but because of the recent warmtemperatures, he decided to keep it open as the number of customersdecreased.
"The fact that these apples are still on (the trees) is kind ofweird," Holstein said.
Visitors to the apple orchard can either pick their own orchoose from the rainbow assortment in the wooden crates in thebarn.
Richard and Mary Holston have been picking apples from theorchard for the past three decades. The couple lives a minute'swalk from the white wooden fence that bears the tasty gems.
Richard Holston said Kelly Holstein is doing a good job ofmanaging the 25 acres of land. He said his main obstacle so far hasbeen the weather.
"Last year we didn't have enough rain, and it hurt the apples,"Richard Holston said. "This year we had too much rain."
Kelly Holstein said high winds and rains destroyed about 30 to40 of his 1,082 trees earlier this year.
Murl Holstein said his son is a determined person who does notback down easily when it comes to something he's passionateabout.
"He just does it because he enjoys what he's doing," hesaid.
Kelly Holstein said it makes him happy to know people aregetting use out of his product.
Mary Holston uses the apples to make apple treats throughout theyear. She smiled generously as she set a mason jar of homemadeapple jam on her green and white plaid table cloth.
There are factors to consider when choosing the type of apple,Mary Holston said. Heritage Farms has 14 different selections.
"If it's a soft apple, that would be good for apple sauce," shesaid. "If it's a harder apple with a tarter taste, that's what youuse for pie."
Besides picking apples, the Holstons grow several of their ownfoods, including tomatoes, turnips, zucchini, pumpkins andpears.
"It tastes much better when you grow it yourself," RichardHolston said.
The apples cultivated on Heritage Farms are not sold to grocerystores. Holstein said local grocers don't buy locally because theycan buy fruit at a better price from those who mass produce.
"It doesn't taste as good as the fresh stuff, but it looksnice," Kelly Holstein said.
Kelly Holstein said he questions where fruit comes from more inthe winter and spring months because of it's age.
He said as his crop grows, he might set up at Minnetrista'sFarmer's Market, which is held on Saturdays. Ideally, he wants tokeep trimming the orchard into good shape, get a garden started andmaybe build a house one day.
Allen said working on an apple orchard is one of the greatestjobs someone can have.
"You leave your problems at home and it's just so pleasant to beout there," Allen said. "I love it."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
