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Nebraska orchards expect bumper crop of applesOMAHA, Neb. (AP)--A year after lamenting a crop damaged by cold weather, apple growers in southeast Nebraska are expecting one of their best harvests in recent memory. "Apples were a few days later ripening because of the wet spring and cool summer," said Beverly Todd Nolte, director of Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure in Nebraska City. "But we're ready to go now with more than we could have imagined." Erik Olson, orchard manager for Kimmel Farms and Arbor Day Farm, projected his harvest at 15,000 bushels this year. That size of crop is considered a great year, Todd Nolte said. Things weren't so great last year, when a late spring freeze caused heavy damage to the crop. "Last year we didn't really harvest anything," she said. "There was just some hand-picking." Apple season runs through late October, and almost two dozen varieties are harvested in the state. Apples have been grown in Nebraska since the 1800s. Nebraska City is the apple capital of the state, with its orchards attracting day-trippers eager to load up their cars with the savory fruit for making cider, covering with carmel, baking pies or just eating as a snack. The 40th annual AppleJack Festival will be held in Nebraska City this weekend. The festival includes a car show, arts and crafts fairs, pancake feed, parade, petting zoo and strongman and strongwoman contests. 9/22/08 Date: 9/17/08
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