Cardigan Mountain Orchard

About the Farm

Steve and Nancy Bleiler never intended to become apple farmers when they moved to the small country town of Alexandria, New Hampshire in the late 70s. Both teachers at the time, they discovered a quaint apple farm during a trip to New Hampshire and bought it with the simple intention of enjoying some apples for their personal use. What began as a modest purchase would eventually transform their lives completely.

The orchard was in rough shape when the Bleilers first acquired it, but through tremendous hard work and dedication, they managed to bring back almost all of the original trees that had been planted in the 1930s. Over the years, they planted many more trees, growing their operation to nearly 1,000 apple trees. Twenty years after their initial purchase, both Steve and Nancy had left their teaching careers behind to focus on the farm full time, supported by their sons William, Stephen, and David, along with their families.

Today, Cardigan Mountain Orchard stands as a true family business that has established deep roots in the community. While their main focus remains growing apples, they work collaboratively with other local growers to provide a variety of fruits and vegetables. The family's commitment extends beyond the orchard itself, as they opened the Cardigan Country Store in 2013 in partnership with local farmers, vendors, and residents, creating one of the most trusted local markets in the area that showcases products from local farms and craftspeople.