Autumn is a busy time at Fuhrmann Orchards LLC, as owners Paul and Leanne Fuhrmann open their Wheelersburg farm to the community for several seasonal events. Tours of the sunflower field, an apple fest and flower-picking nights are just some of the offerings soon to be available.

The sunflower field, a major attraction for locals, opens Tuesday. Visitors can tour the field every Tuesday-Friday from 5-7 p.m. and every Saturday from 3-7 p.m. through Oct. 7. General admission to the field is $5 a person (children ages 5 and younger are admitted at no charge). Fuhrmann offers sunflower stems from the field for $2 apiece. A photographer will be available to take photos for $30 (in addition to the $5 general admission fee). 

Fuhrmann’s Apple Fest is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 14, at the farm, which is located at 510 Hansgen Morgan Road. Apples are the main produce offered at Fuhrmann Orchards, and all produce sold there is grown on site by the family. 

“We grow everything ourselves,” Leanne Fuhrmann said. “We started with 20 acres, and now we have around 180 acres.”

An apple-tasting booth will be offered at the Apple Fest, where approximately seven to eight varieties of apples will be available to taste for free. Paul Fuhrmann will lead an information tour ride around the farm. Treats made by Leanne from orchard produce will also be available. These treats include but are not limited to caramel apples, hot apple cider, apple cider slushies and apple pie. The store will be open as normal on the day of the event, so regular produce such as apples, pumpkins, tea, popcorn and more will be available for purchase. 

Future dates for flower-picking nights have not yet been determined but will be posted on Fuhrmann’s Facebook page (Fuhrmann Orchards, LLC) or website (https://fuhrmannorchards.com) soon. Participants in those events will meet at the store on the scheduled night. Each

person in the group brings their own vase or container, and Leanne and her daughter Melanie Fuhrmann will show customers the kinds of flowers they grow. Customers pick a bucketful of flowers while Leanne and Melanie teach them about the different kinds of flowers and how to arrange them. 

Leanne Fuhrmann said the company is customer-driven in its mission and production, working to give visitors the opportunity to taste fresh produce. During the season, Leanne travels to farmers markets so that customers who cannot make it to the farm can still get access to their produce. She will be at the Market Street market in Portsmouth from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Halloween. She also visited the regular Thursday market in Ashland’s (Kentucky) Central Park earlier in the season and plans to return next year.

Fuhrmann’s season begins June 15 if they have peaches, and the farm store opens in mid-July if they do not have peaches. The season ends just before Christmas each year.

Fuhrmann Orchards also offers part-time jobs for students with flexible scheduling. To apply for a position, email [email protected] and explain that you’re interested in working at the farm.