Erie Orchards and Cider Mill is a family-owned working farm located in Erie, Michigan.
The farm has approximately 70 acres in production and harvests around 15,000 bushels of apples annually.
In addition to apples, the farm also grows blueberries, peaches, plums and pumpkins, which visitors can pick themselves during the appropriate season.
The farm has a large retail store that sells a variety of products, including donuts, pies and fresh cider which is made on-site using a cider press.
The store that is open from mid-August to early November also has a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and other items.
During trips to the farm, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin picking.
The farm also hosts special events throughout the season, such as apple festivals and cider tastings among others.
Who is Steve Elzinga?
Steve Elzinga is the owner of Erie Orchards and Cider Mill, a family farm located in Erie, Michigan.
He and his wife, Nancy, purchased the farm in 1977, and this year (2023) marks the 46th year of operation.
Elzinga has been running the business for 45 years and is known for his love of apples, particularly honeycrisps and northern spies.
However, in August 2023, Elzinga faced public criticism after a video surfaced showing him making racist remarks.
The video sparked outrage online, and many people called for a boycott of Erie Orchards and Cider Mill.
Despite the controversy, Elzinga stated that his business was open to all patrons.
Erie Orchards and Cider Mill racism video
On August 15, 2023, a video was released showing Elzinga, the owner of Erie Orchards and Cider Mill, making racist comments to a Muslim family who were visiting the orchard.
The video shows Elzinga accusing the family of stealing and calling them “thieves” and “terrorists”.
The video has sparked outrage online, with many people calling for a boycott of the orchard and for Elzinga to be held accountable for his actions.
The incident has also led to a lawsuit, with the Muslim family in the video suing Elzinga for discrimination and emotional distress.
The family’s lawyer has stated that they hope the lawsuit will send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Elzinga has since apologized for his comments, stating that he was “deeply sorry” and that his behavior was “unacceptable”.
However, many people have criticized his apology as insincere and insufficient.
Some have also pointed out that this is not the first time that Elzinga has been accused of discriminatory behavior, with some former employees alleging that he has a history of mistreating workers and customers.
The incident at Erie Orchards and Cider Mill highlights the ongoing problem of racism and discrimination in the United States.
It also underscores the importance of holding individuals and businesses accountable for their actions and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect for all people.
