Miles of Apples
Our English teacher, Danielle Miles, writes about her family, their farm, a sweet family legacy, and the annual tradition of pressing apples for cider in an article titled, Pressing On published in Farm & Ranch Living Magazine, October/November 2020 issue.

In addition to writing, teaching, and inspiring our students to share their own stories, Ms. Miles is also a horticulturist. She believes that one of the best ways to learn is by doing. She encourages budding enthusiasts to find a garden spot in your yard, till up the soil, and plant some seeds. You may not succeed with all of the plants at first, but you'll learn a lot along the way.


"I learned from watching my father, who planted many different varieties of apples in our orchard, he learned from observing his grandfather. My parent's farm has grown a lot over the years, and at one point, we had enough apples in our orchard that my father decided it was time to rehabilitate the 100-year-old Palmer press from his childhood and put it back to work."


In doing so, the Miles family has come to celebrate its annual cider fest. From washing the apples to cleaning the press, the entire family gets involved in this cider pressing. Miles writes, "The results feel like pure magic. With tractor rides on the Ford 8N and its handmade trailer, there's fun to be had by every generation. We hope to continue this grand tradition for years to come."

Embrace the great outdoors, spend time with your family, make traditions, and celebrate the magic of the season. What is your favorite family tradition? Join the conversation on our Twitter and Instagram sites.