General Info:
Westview Orchards now encompasses 188 acres of fruit trees and crops, including apples, peaches, cherries, pears, plums, nectarines, strawberries, tomatoes, asparagus, super sweet corn, 5 varieties of squash, pie and carving pumpkins. Throughout the years, Westview Orchards has evolved from a simple farm to an Amazing 18 Acres of Farm Fun, Winery, and Fabulous Food. During your visit to Westview Orchards, stock up on homegrown fruits and farm fresh vegetables. Sample fresh apple cider from the state-of-the-art Cider Mill and taste homemade confections from our bakery. Visit and pet the variety of farm animals at our petting farm. Challenge yourself, in one of our 7 acre corn mazes, play like a kid in the Kidz Korner playground. Seasonally pick Strawberries, Cherries, Apples and Pumpkins, or just sit back and enjoy a cozy wagon ride through the picturesque orchard. We invite everyone to visit Westview Orchards for a memorable day of outdoor fun. See firsthand the dedication of the 6th generation and staff, whose goal is to bring guests the highest quality fruits and vegetables, as well as a place where old fashioned values and fun are still part of the traditions. MAEAP: Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Westview earned MAEAP verification from the Michigan Department of Agriculture in 2009 after a two year long process. What does this mean? MAEAP is a partnership effort that aims to protect natural resources and build positive communities by counseling Michigan farmers that operate farms of all sizes and all commodities on environmentally responsible agricultural production practices. To become MAEAP-verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps: educational seminars, a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and development and implementation of an action plan addressing potential environmental risks. To retain MAEAP verification status, a farm must repeat all three steps including MDA inspection every three years. Westview has always understood the importance of being good stewards of the land. Working with Michigan State University in 1980, Westview Orchards began implementing the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using insect traps to monitor problem insects, and computerized weather stations to predict crop infestations. The family also implemented new planting configurations to include insect "repellent" techniques after MSU conducted research at Westview. In 1994, the family farm was recognized by the county soil conservation district as Macomb County's "Conservation Farm of the Year" for their IPM practices, use of special "prescribed" orchard grasses that reduce soil erosion on the orchard's hills, implementing trickle irrigation throughout the orchards and participating in on-going MSU research to reduce their use of materials.