Apple crop suffers in Indiana, across Midwest

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana’s apple crop is one of the worst in years and that means higher apple prices at the store.

Nationally, this year's apple crop is shaping up to be the smallest since 1986, down 14 percent from last year. Apple Production in the Midwest has dropped 79 percent.

That has forced local orchards to ship in apples from out of state. The added transportation costs are causing apple prices to nearly double.

Each fall thousands of people visit Stuckey Farms in Hamilton County to pick their own apples. The farm has 4,000 apple trees. The warm March weather followed by a hard frost in April wiped out 95 percent of this years crop.

Orchard owner Jeff Pierce knew in April his crop was in trouble. But he never thought there would be no apple picking come September and October.

"When we talk to people about it, it’s the golden goose. That’s why people come out here," said Pierce.

Pierce has had to ship in apples from Pennsylvania to keep his apple business running.

"We wish we could put them on the tree this year, they are just simply not there. We are thankful for the people still coming out and patronizing our business knowing we don’t have a crop this year," said Pierce.

Bus loads of school kids come to the orchard each fall to learn about apples, and where they grow.

This year, the students are learning how the weather can wipe out a crop.

"We thought we could turn this into a learning experience for the kids... this is what happens sometimes in agriculture .. Just because we have an apple trees does not guarantee you are going to have an apple crop. Things happen that are outside of your control," said Pierce.

Katie Potter loves to bring her daughter to Stuckey Farms each year for an afternoon of apple picking.

"I just like to buy local. This is a good place. They have good stuff," said Potter.

This year, short on time, she skipped the picking and stayed in the store. She didn’t know it was her only option since the acres of apple trees in the orchard are barren.

While there are no apples to pick, there are plenty of pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

"We probably have the most robust pumpkin patch we’ve ever had. So whatever the apples didn’t like the pumpkins liked. I drive by the patch and I know how many have been picked already so I’m amazed how that was populated this year," said Pierce.

A steady stream of customers Monday found a perfect pumpkin to pick. The business puts a smile on Pierce's face. He says despite the non-existent apple crop, the apple trees are healthy and he expects next years crop to be bountiful.