At their orchard, located in Ceresco, Nebraska, Alex and Barb Martin strive to provide a fall adventure where everyone has a chance to not only have fun, but learn about plants along the way. The Martins have a passion for education, but always make sure “fun” remains a top priority at their u-pick orchard offering apples, raspberries, strawberries (June only), pumpkins and peaches.
Alex and Barb both come from a background in education; Alex was a university professor at UNL and worked in the UNL Agronomy Department as a researcher and extension specialist for over 30 years. His career was devoted to production agriculture and he translated that passion from field crops to “orcharding.” Simply put, he knows what it takes to grow an apple in Nebraska. Barb has a master’s in education and is the mastermind behind the Orchard Tours. She works diligently to ensure the orchard activities are fun for parents, teachers, and kids-alike.
Planting at Martin’s Hillside Orchard began in 1983, and now, the orchard has over 1500 trees. Alongside their diverse fruit-focused production, the orchard also features a fall play area for kids, including a butterfly garden and a Discovery Trail. Martin’s Hillside Orchard is open during the fall season, from late August to the end of October.
