“Pop would write a chalkboard sign by the farm advertising our harvests, but when people would come to him and ask for a Golden Delicious, he would say ‘Nah! That’s not what you want, you want a MacIntosh!’” The entire family exploded with laughter. “He was a great farmer, but not the best retail guy,” said Mike Jr.’s wife Jean. “We loved him, but that wasn’t his niche.”
On a hope and a prayer, Mike Jr. and Jean enlisted local contractors like Dave Rhoers to help them move a 125-year-old barn on top of the hill to the current farm market site on Route 32 South so that they could open a farm market. “We were newly married, excited and did farm markets in New York City; we even did one on the hairpin turn and had a cop give us a ticket!”
“It’s the hairpin turn!” exclaimed Jean. “There are so many climbers and hikers in need of food and cider, we didn’t see any violation in that.” The married couple bursts out laughing.
“Heck, we swam Low Falls for free; why can’t we sell fresh apples and ciders to climbers?” asked Mike Jr. rhetorically.
But the couple reined it in, and opened their roadside farm market in 1985. From that moment on, the Moriellos’ Apple Hill Farm Market was born and flourishes to this day.
Jean and Mike recall their first pick-your-own-apples day. “It was insane!” said Jean. “We were working one register, people were flocking to the farm, we had no system — it was beautiful chaos!” Mike chimed in: “We called in all of our friends and relatives to work the pick-your-own, as it was out of control; but then we came up with a system.”
That system? Tony Moriello had a hay wagon built by his automotive cousin in Highland. “He built the base and then we built the sides, the decking…” That hayride brings exuberant locals and tourists up to the top of Apple Hill, where they not only get to pick and sample the freshest apples in the world, but also have a view of the Shawangunk Mountains and Catskill Mountains that is breathtaking.
“We owe an enormous gratitude to the Smiley family,” who have run and operated Mohonk Mountain House for centuries and given the Mohonk Preserve thousands of acres for preservation, said Tony. “Without their vision and dedication to preserving the Ridge, we wouldn’t have the views and the trails and the beauty we have today.”
Another Moriello family member who is also a professional firefighter asked them decades ago if they’d be interested in purchasing an old off-line firetruck to help them carry apple-picking folks up the hill and back. They did, and now that fire engine, circa 1950, is a staple of the Moriellos’ pick-your-own, which their cousin drives. “We have a professional firefighter driving our antique engine up and down the hill!” said Mike.
Asked what they love most about farming, the Moriello family — full of wit and love and humor, but also a palpable shyness and humility — paused for several moments. Tony said, “My greatest joy is working on this farm with my entire family!” Sheila, his wife and the best baker in the county, said, “I’m an old schoolteacher. So seeing these families come to our farm when their children are newborn, and then watching them grow and have children of their own and keep on coming back to the farm: That’s so beautiful. We’ve become a constant in their life, and they’ve become a constant in ours.”
Both Mike and Jean said much of the same: “Our local customers give us a sense of pride and love and community that I can’t describe; and our weekenders make us so happy, because we get to see them and their kids have a true farm experience. We’re not into agri-entertainment. We love to have people come, experience a real working farm, have a picnic, romp around the farm.”
Chelsea Moriello, one of two daughters of Mike and Jean, said, “It’s just a family affair. We all love this farm, love our customers and enjoy what we do. I hope we help to create community. That’s what we’re all about.”
There is no farm family more welcoming, loving and community-minded than the Moriellos. They’re people we all aspire to be, as they work hard, play hard, love unconditionally and continue the noble pursuit of farming.
Nice article even though there were a number of errors, for example: there were 7 Moriello siblings – not 6, it was Charles Moriello who died in the tractor accident in 1961, not Joseph (who is Tony’s father – Michael’s grand father). Michael is not a Junior as his father is Tony (Anthony Moriello). Michael Moriello (the pilot)was not married and had no children when he died in 1955, in the plane crash.The family has spent from the 1920’s on growing fruit in the Mid-Hudson area, and it is wonderful to see that it continues on.Despite the mistakes, it was a lovely tribute to the Moriello family and I enjoyed reading it.
[…] Next stop on the Hudson Valley Apple Trail: the Moriello family's Apple Hill Farm Mike returned to his boyhood agricultural roots, where he and his parents and siblings all worked together on a farm, leaving his teaching position to purchase a working fruit farm in foreclosure in New Paltz in 1938. The rest, they say, is history … Read more on New Paltz Times […]
So many memories. I grew up in New Paltz, 47-59 and spent many hours working, as a youngster, picking sour cherries with Joe Moriello as a boss. What a wonderful man. Kind, gentle, and forgiving. I went to school with both Tony and Joan and remember them well. My wife, Stina, worked as a lifeguard at the pool during the summer of 59. A wonderful family and certainly a New Paltz Treasure. Tony, you never change – you look great.
Thank you for your kind 2012 article. My wife and I (like most who might read this post) are lucky to know The Moriellos as very dear and life-long friends…it’s through our relationship with Jean and Mike Jr. that such bonds readily extend to the older and next generations of this wonderful family.
The Moriello Family proves the sage wisdom of how, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”…with a healthy balance of loyalty, respect, interdependence and love. This bushel of wonderful souls has literally weathered tough times and quietly proven their mettle without any fanfare or deserved congratulations…thus, your story is a welcomed delight.
Although each generation has furthered its abilities, earned degrees of higher education and gained worldly knowledge/skills to improve or expand upon their farmstead’s livelihood, every member of The Moriello Family has recognized an unspoken responsibility of returning home to perpetuate a continued legacy established by their elders. A legacy of modest + selflessness which they generously share with the New Paltz community.
Apple Hill Farm is always a destination of choice. It’s where my arrivals come with hugs and kisses…and departures leave with a trunk full of apples, pumpkins and two dozen freshly-made donuts for the ride home!