Agriculture
New machine helps pick apples faster, safer
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By TIARA MAROCCO
Capital News Service
It is a crisp fall morning and the birds are chirping as you grab your coat, a wooden basket and a small ladder and head to the apple orchard. Light greens, yellows and reds pop out from under the dark green leaves of the apple trees as you spot the perfect apple to add to your basket. It is a popular fall activity. But it’s also work for commercial growers. And a new
apple-picking creation could make it a bit easier as orchard owners struggle with a declining workforce. Apple picking usually requires fruit-pickers to stand on ladders to gather the apples. Handpicking is the most consistent and traditional way to gather apples.