Welcome to the new Sietsema Orchards and Cider Mill blog, “The Farmer’s Wife.” My name is Mandy, and I am Andy’s wife. I know, pretty cute our name’s rhyme (haven’t heard that one before). No, our kids names don’t rhyme (we wouldn’t do that to them). 🙂 We have three daughters, Layne (5), Abby (3) and Molly (1 1/2). We are a very busy family, with the orchard keeping us even busier. The older two can’t wait until they are old enough to work on the farm with daddy, but I don’t think they realize EVERYTHING that goes into running an apple and peach orchard, but they will be finding out soon enough! 🙂
I hope to update this blog a few times a week with what’s happening on the orchard, recipes, upcoming events and anything else orchard related. Please remember, this blog is for you- please give me lots of feedback and questions. 🙂 You can also find more information at our website: http://sietsemaorchards.com/
The Farmer's Wife 
Mandy! it is so cool to follow your day-to-day work/family life. I love knowing more about what you do and seeing all the work and love you pour into your family and your orchard. Inspiring to say the least!
Thanks Allie! I’m going to try and give lots of updates on what’s happening on the orchard, but we’ll see how that goes with three little ones following me around all day. 🙂
May this go well, Mandy! Looking forward to updates 🙂
Thanks Marcia! I’m hoping that it goes well! 🙂
Mandy, from the date of last post it looks like you’ve had a busy summer 😉 I am sure with 3 little ones it is crazy!?! Looking forward to the peaches in August and hearing more from The Farmer’s Wife.
Yes, I have been very busy this summer! I’m hoping to start updating more regularly starting next week! We have our last little vacation for the summer starting Wednesday and then we should be home for awhile. 🙂
the website is nearly illegible with white ltters on peach basckground. didn’t even bother to try to read past the first few sentences. needs immediate attention. this kind of poor treatment of the customer/neighbor is what sinks businesses. when it comes to the internet, ease of use is king.
Paul,
I am not sure what you mean by not being able to read this blog… it might be your server. The blog is a white background with black letters, so there should be no difficulty in reading the posts. Trying using Firefox. Have a great day!
Keep blogging — in your spare time. Heard you are making a ton of donuts each week!
Looking forward to visiting your orchard in late summer when the trees are ripe with fruit. And I’m excited to see where heirlooms are part of your mix. They’re rarities I’ve never experienced and can’t wait to taste – particularly Thomas Jefferson’s Spitzenburg. I’ve begun to grow apple trees (Empire and Honeycrisp so far) on my Tallmadge Township property and am expecting my first BR heirloom to arrive sometime in mid April – a Kidd’s Orange Red. Mine won’t fruit for a while so you’ll just have to be my local finished antique apple source. Hope you don’t mind.
Didn’t think you would. Thanks! See you in September – or maybe sooner. Scott Jones
Looks like you and I need to get back to our poor niglected blogs… 😉
Hi
I’m the son of Jack and Charlotte Zaroff. My parents had the home next door to Jerry and Anna may for a number of years. I was born in 1951 and my earliest memories are riding in an apple bushel basket on the trailer behind Jerry on his tractor.
That was in the orchard on the south side of Knapp across from our home on Knapp and Dunnigan.
So now my question is what relation are you or family members to Jerry and Anna May?
My mom is still alive she’s 91 and I’d love to tell her that I found Jerry’s family is still around and the orchard still lives on.
Many thanks
Bernie Zaroff