R & A Orchards — Attraction in Talking Rock

This is a great Orchard and market to visit if you are in the area during apple season. We got there early and easily found parking but later in the day I did notice parking was getting hard to find for some.

As we entered the farm to the apple tractor line we were stopped at a tent and had to pay a $5 per person admission fee which I believe was due to you needing to take a tractor ride to the picking sites. Walking was not allowed. After admission was paid we were given tickets then walked further to the tractor line. The line is situated under a tent so you are not standing in direct sun and the gentleman who collected our tickets was really a great guy and kept us in conversation until the tractor arrived.

Once the tractor arrived we all loaded onto a wooden bench platform trailer pulled by the tractor and were taken therough the orchard to the picking site. Upon arrival we all got off and walked to the apple bag tent. $10 for half a peck bag and $20 for a full peck bag. Once we paid for our bags we went to the designated picking area that is clearly marked. There were 6 varieties to pick from and plenty of apples. It was not crowded with people but I recommend good shoes as the ground could get uneven.

When done picking our apples we waited for the returning tractor and hoped on. We were then taken to a halfway point between the parking and the flower picking area. We hopped off and put our apples in our car before walking back to the flower picking area. This area was FULL of flowers. You get a plastic cup with their logo on it for $9 and can fill as many stems in it that will fit. They also provide sheers for you to use. This was very well worth it in my opnion as the bouquet I made was well worth the $9 spent. It does get hot in this area so please keep that in mind.

Tips: Port o potty in every sections, shaded area in every area to escape the heat, no water for purchase out on the farm so be sure to pack a snack and drink.

Our last stop was the market which was full of all kinds of delicious treats. I recommend the cider donuts, honey, pickled eggs, cider slushie, and...

Everything was good up until the last 10mins. It ruined the entire experience!! The apple were delicious and everyone that we encountered initially was quite friendly. Now on the ride back from the orchard, my son and nephew (who are as tall as grown men but look very much like children in the face) were verbally attacked by the farm hands who tried to intimidate without full details or looking for their parents/adults to address. It was a minor misunderstanding over broken bags that was blown away out of proportion due to the very overzealous and young adult farm staff. The initial approach and tone was outright rude and disrespectful. As the mothers, we approached to protect our children and find resolve and were threatened. I'm proud to say we didn't back down when we were wrongly accused by those who were eager to misunderstand. Our smaller children were scared as the verbal attack continued and our apples, peck bags that were paid for that ripped/popped got dumped on the ground in front of us. Lastly, we were cursed at(without us using that language 1st) and called "you people" by these farm/orchard workers. That's absolutely the tone of underlying condescending racism/gaslighting from those workers. There were several factors that were being stereotyped and aggravated that a solution would not have been capable in the moment. We went well out of our way to patronize this business. Spent good time and was willing to spend much more money right up until that happened. We've attempted to reach owners and Management with no luck (no answer) but will keep trying. Now I know my review and social media posts will only reach some but I'm definitely going to share my experience so ppl can know. It's plenty of other well established orchards and farms in the area, I would recommend the public patronize other...

Apple picking. . .this is a fantastic activity for the family, with friends, or by yourself. For this orchard, they have varieties of apples growing and ready for picking during a growing season starting in July going through November. Granny Smiths, Roma Gold, Golden and Red Delicious, and Mutsu varieties were in season when I went (first of October). You pay $4 each person over the age of 3 for the two-way wagon ride into the orchard where in-season apples are ready to be picked. On the 5 minute ride, you get the history of R&A Orchards as well as educational information about the varieties grown on the property and their cultivation and care. Once at the drop off point, you can buy and $8 (small) or $14 bag (large) to stuff as full as you can. There is no free range eating permitted, if you want to eat one of your apples, bring it back to the drop off point for them to wash it. The orchard part of the visit is cash only. The apple store takes credit and cash and is stocked with assorted jams, jellies, relishes, honies, ciders, breads, donuts, dried fruits, peanuts, apples, other sundry items and souvenirs., and a slushy (yummy apple, peach, or muscadine juice base!) stand and cafe (try the fried apple pie). My recommendation is to pay the $4/person, buy the largest bag to stuff and split amongst 3 or 4 people simply for the experience, then go inside and make yourself a bag of apples (one kind or a mix) for $7. All and all a...