Minnesota Harvest

Come Pick Your Fun!

grown1facebook
pick-fun
  • Home
  • Apples
    • MN Harvest Apple Varieties
    • Picking Schedule
    • CIDERY
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Graduation Parties
    • Corporate Parties
  • Attractions
    • Pick your own
    • Orchard Barn Yard
    • Bonfires
    • Featured Guests at Minnesota Harvest
    • Historical Farm
  • Tours
  • About
    • News At The Orchard
    •  History
  • Contact
    • Directions

 History

The Founders of Minnesota Harvest

Established in 1971


Doc
Dr. Kenath H. Sponsel (1919-1979)
It’s all my fault.

Mid
Mildred Lollar Sponsel (1919-2004)
That’s right, Bunny.

 

The Short Version

In 1970 Doc & Mid Sponsel bought this hill — corn and soybeans at the time. They had plans for an apple orchard. What better to keep their six boys out of trouble? (The 2 girls were angels and didn’t need a plan.) But all eight of us were recruited to start planting. Five years later 25,000 trees were in the ground and apples coming in. In those days Dad would stand at the door of the little building coaxing customers to try the yellow (golden) apples. Minnesotans ate only RED apples, and that wasn’t so long ago.

For 35 years the family continued to enhance the orchard experience for our guests. My brother, Topper (18) was at the helm. He loved this place, these trees, and everyone who came to enjoy and share the fruit of everyone’s labor. In 2005, not long after Mother(Mid) Sponsel died, we had to sell the land. But, the new owner extended a generous lease to Topper to continue operating the Orchard. Topper died suddenly 3 months later (age 53) and the lease was taken over by others with more short term interests. Suffice it to say, the Sponsel family, along with local partners, have stepped in to renovate and restore the operation.

Here we are today. We know we cannot reproduce all the features you have come to expect right away. Rejuvenating the trees and buildings has taken all year. Great care and hard work has gone into growing this 2011 crop. Many devoted friends have worked without pay, and out of pocket to be able to open the gates in time for you this year. We hope you come out and enjoy your day.

~ Susan (Sponsel) Kelly

Written by: Scott Chaussee, International Apple Institute

Kevin Breeggemann 1963 – 2015

We can claim both this year. We are so glad to look back on the best year this decade for crop production; for you — our Apple Season U-Pick Army; and for the resources to build a new Cider Pressing Plant. Add Bathroom upgrades, new kitchen equipment (welcome back apple cider donuts), new storage and work space. But, just as we were putting the final parts in place we lost our leader. In case you hadn’t met Kevin Breeggemann, our General Manager, let me introduce you.

Farm Boy: Who is having the most fun?

20150417_154134-2

Builder: A master of restoration

20141121_195257

Designer: Architect of dreams, Kevin’s plan for an Orchard B&B

20150529_183314

Wedding Coordinator: Magic touch, believe me

C_Documents-and-SettingsSusan-KellyMy-DocumentsKevin-green--apple

Rainmaker: 4 years, 400% sales increase

20141212_182220

Inspiration: Who loved Christmas? and giant caramel apples

 

…and who worked non-stop, closing up at 11PM every night — and brought us all along for the ride? YUP. (Kevin’s typcal text) He was at his best Thursday, Aug.6th. Bounced through the day. Went home a little early (9pm) His heart stopped. Now we know he was given 52 years to get everything done. We were blessed with his 5 best ones. He once told me, “People ask when I am going to retire. I always tell them I am retired now. Isn’t that when you get to do what you love? So, I am retired.” Well, the world would be a gentler and brighter place if more people “retired” with such vigor and devotion. And could exit, even without fanfare, being loved as much as we loved him.

In gratitude and admiration,
Susan Sponsel Kelly and Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest Family

 

Currently Closed until fall of 2022

UPDATE
We will open for the 2022 Apple U-Pick Harvest Season in August!

The hard cider bar, bakery, pizza oven, and general store will all be available then.

How does the U-Pick work? Each person must purchase one of the following:
$5 Orchard Pass, or a
$10 Kids U-Pick bag or a
$20 Adult U-Pick Bag
before they can gain entry into the Orchard.

Included with your purchase of the Bags or Orchard Pass at no charge is the Wagon Ride Tour, Sunflower Fields, Corn Maze, Playground, Orchard Barnyard, and the Duck Pond exhibits. The $5 Apple Cannon tickets will still be available for purchase in the Apple Lodge.

We have a variety of 3 lb. or 5 lb. bagged apples available for sale throughout the season August - November. Varieties of Apples such as Haralson, Honeycrisp, Honey Gold, 1st Kiss, Sweetango, Golden Crab, Chestnut Crab, Fireside, Ambrosia, Wealthy, McIntosh, and Cortland are bagged and ready to go in the Apple Lodge cooler during our posted open hours.

Please watch our Facebook page @mnharvest for news and updates. Thank you for coming!

Copyright © 2022 Minnesota Harvest · Log in · site by AHT Inc.