Lowell — Tony Blatner, a second-generation apple farmer, likes what he sees when he looks out on his 125-acre orchard.
The Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp and seven or so other varieties he grows at the Twin Bee Orchards in Kent County are heavy on the trees and plumping up nicely. After a disappointing fruit season statewide last year, Blatner is looking to be part of what could be a record crop if the weather cooperates.
"We've had a real nice spring here," said Blatner, 42. "We're pretty excited about it."
He's got reasons to be cautiously optimistic.
Yields for apples and other fruit in Michigan are on pace to exceed last year. The apple crop in Michigan, the third-largest U.S. producer, is projected at 25 million bushels — about the same as the record high set in 1995.
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