What Cider Hill Farm does

Cider Hill Farm is a 145-acre, third-generation family farm in Amesbury, Massachusetts, operating a diversified agritourism and value-added agricultural business founded in 1978 by Eleanor and Ed Cook and currently run by Gregg, Karen, Glenn, and Chadd Cook. The farm cultivates 10,000 fruit trees across five orchards spanning 60+ apple varieties, 20 peach varieties across 2,000 trees, 6 cherry varieties across 600 trees, 11 blueberry varieties across three fields, plus strawberries, raspberries, and a 25+ variety summer cutting garden including dahlias, tulips, and sunflowers. The core offering is a multi-vertical experiential portfolio: pick-your-own fruit and flowers (ticketed, unit-priced at $15-$45 per container), an on-site Farm Store (donuts $11/dozen, jams, apple cider, pies, gifts), a seasonal Food Truck and concessions operation, CSA farm shares (17-week subscription), group bookings ($6-$19/person for schools, camps, corporate, birthday parties), and private event rentals ($275-$875). The hard cider line, operated through Cider Hill Cellars (founded 2012, cidery opened 2017) with 1,000 trees dedicated to cider production, includes seasonal ciders ($16-$27/bottle), fruit ciders ($23), bourbon barrel aged Winter ($40), and a non-alcoholic sparkling option ($12), available on-site at the outdoor cider bar (weekends May-October) and shipped to approximately 38 US states via Vinoshipper.

The business model is a hybrid of one-time transactional revenue (PYO tickets, retail store sales, event rentals, cider by the bottle/glass) and lighter recurring elements (CSA shares, Market Card gift-card program at $300 for $350 of credit). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through a single physical destination with ancillary e-commerce, supported by marketing across Facebook, Instagram, Constant Contact email, and regional tourism partnerships with MOTT and the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Customer segments span families and individuals (primary), school and camp groups, corporate teams, event planners, and food/beverage enthusiasts; institutional concentration is low, with no enterprise anchor customers. Underlying technical and operational infrastructure includes an 840-panel solar array generating approximately 70% of farm power, wind turbines, high-efficiency wood boilers, and an on-farm weather station integrated with Cornell University's pest-prediction models for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) decisions.

The strategic posture emphasizes portfolio diversification across multiple recurring seasonal events (Tulip Fest, Cherry Festival, Blueberry & Flower Festival, Pollinator Festival, Strawberry Festival, live music weekends, free raptor/children's museum programming) and brand positioning built on national recognition (#1 Apple Picking Spot in the US per Boston.com, #4 Most Beautiful Farms in the World, #7 Best Tulip Festival in the US per Uncovered Boston 2025) and trade credentials (six GLINTCAP medals between 2018 and 2024, including a 2023 Best in Show for Ice Cider). Operational risk factors include single-site geographic dependency, seasonal (April-December) operating window, weather exposure, family-ownership succession considerations, and limited public disclosure of financial metrics.

Name

Cider Hill Farm

Legal name

Cider Hill Farm

Website

https://ciderhill.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cider Hill Farm is a 145-acre, third-generation family farm in Amesbury, Massachusetts, operating a diversified agritourism business spanning pick-your-own fruit and flowers, a farm store, an award-winning estate-grown hard cidery, food service, events, and CSA shares.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism & Farm Retail

NAICS

Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Apple Orchards (111331)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI), Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Pick-your-own fruit
• Farm store retail
• Estate hard cider
• Agritourism experiences
• CSA farm shares

Headquarters

HQ city

Amesbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Pick-Your-Own Fruit & Flowers: Visitors purchase tickets for entry and picking containers to harvest fruit (strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apples) and cut flowers. Ticket prices vary by crop with quantities included.
2. Farm Store Sales: On-site retail store selling fresh produce, cider donuts, jams, apple cider, pies, grocery items, farmhouse gifts and award-winning hard cider. Open daily 8am-6pm from April through December.
3. Hard Cider Sales: Award-winning estate-grown hard cider sold by the bottle in Farm Store, by the glass/pint at outdoor cider bar (weekends May-October), and shipped to most US states. Includes seasonal fruit ciders (Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Blackberry, Peach Harvest).
4. Food & Beverage Operations: The PitchFork food truck (Sat-Sun 11am-4pm), Eleanor's Lunch Box (Tue-Fri 10am-2pm), Ellie's Snack Bar, and drink stand serving cider donuts, hot cider, and beverages.
5. Market Card (Gift Cards): Pre-loaded $350 gift card priced at $300 for use in Farm Store, food truck, concessions, and hard cider bar. Provides cost savings for regular visitors.
6. CSA Farm Shares: 17 weeks of farm produce through Community Supported Agriculture shares.
7. Shipping (Online Sales): Online shop for shipping hard cider to most states, cider donuts, honey and gifts. Pre-order donuts for farm pickup.
8. Private Event Rentals: Rental of indoor (Battis Room, $875) and semi-private outdoor spaces (tent, $275) for showers, parties, corporate events. Main Lawn available free with picnic tables.
9. Group Bookings: Group pick-your-own experiences for school trips, corporate outings, and birthday parties with discounted per-person pricing and package options including donuts and cider.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cider Hill Farm is a 145-acre, three-generation family farm in Amesbury, Massachusetts that operates a diversified agritourism business. It sells pick-your-own fruit and cut-your-own flowers seasonally, runs an on-site Farm Store and bakery (cider donuts, jams, pies, gifts), operates Cider Hill Cellars — an estate-grown hard cidery — through an on-site outdoor cider bar and online shipping, hosts festivals and private events, and offers CSA farm shares.

Product overview

Cider Hill Farm is a 145-acre family agritourism destination offering a diversified portfolio of experiential products: pick-your-own fruit operations (strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and apples), cut-your-own flower experiences (Tulip Fest and Summer Cutting Garden), the Farm Store (fresh produce, cider donuts, local goods), Cider Hill Cellars hard cidery (estate-grown ciders available by bottle, tap, and shipping), The PitchFork food truck, CSA farm shares, private event venue rentals, group booking experiences, and an online shop for donut pre-orders, cider shipping, and gift cards. The operation is seasonal (April-December) and integrates agricultural production with hospitality and tourism experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cider Hill Cellars: Award-winning hard cider produced on the farm, featuring estate-grown apples. Founded by Chadd Cook (3rd generation of the Cook family). Products include seasonal ciders (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), fruit ciders (Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Blackberry, Peach Harvest), and limited edition Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter.

Products and services

• Pick-Your-Own Fruits Seasonal pick-your-own experience offering strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and apples across multiple orchards and fields on the 145-acre farm. Customers purchase tickets and containers to harvest fruit themselves.
• Cut-Your-Own Flowers Seasonal flower cutting experiences including the annual Tulip Fest (1.25 acres of tulips, 60,000 bulbs) and the Summer Cutting Garden featuring over 25 varieties of blooms including dahlias, snapdragons, sunflowers, and strawflowers.
• Cider Hill Cellars Hard Cider Award-winning hard cider produced from estate-grown apples, including seasonal fruit ciders (Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Blackberry, Peach Harvest), year-round varieties (Spring dry, Summer semi-sweet, Autumn semi-dry, Winter ice/frost), and limited editions such as Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter and Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Cider. Available by the bottle, on tap at the outdoor cider bar, and shipped online.
• Farm Store On-site retail store offering fresh produce, apple cider donuts, jams, apple cider, pies, local goods, farmhouse gifts, and the farm's award-winning hard cider. Open daily 8am-6pm from late April through December. SNAP benefits accepted.
• The PitchFork Food Truck On-farm food truck serving prepared foods including pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, wraps, bowls, and seasonal menu items. Operates most Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm.
• CSA Farm Shares Community Supported Agriculture program offering 17 weeks of farm produce. Subscribers receive seasonal produce directly from the farm via recurring pickup.
• Private Event Venue Rental Rental of indoor (Battis Room, up to 75 guests, $875) and semi-private outdoor event spaces (Kid's Birthday tent, up to 30 guests, $275) for showers, parties, and corporate events. Main Lawn available free with picnic tables and reservation.
• Group Bookings & Birthday Parties Organized group experiences including blueberry picking (July-August) and apple picking (late August-mid October) for camps, corporate groups, school field trips, and children's birthday parties with package pricing.
• Online Shop E-commerce platform for pre-ordering cider donuts, purchasing gift cards (Market Card), shipping hard cider, and purchasing tickets for pick-your-own events.

Quantifiable outcome

• #1 Apple Picking Spot in the US per Boston.com
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tailwinds: Raptor and Conservation EducatorsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2026Raptor education organization bringing live birds to the farm for educational programming during Pollinator Week. Three women (Linda Noon, Susan Willoughby & Sarah Kern) provide conservation education with non-releasable raptors essential to protecting food supply.
• North Shore Children's MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2026Children's museum van visiting farm for Pollinator Festival to provide hands-on activities dedicated to butterflies, bees, and flowers. Partnership supports family-friendly educational programming.
• North of Boston Convention & Visitors BureaucoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026Regional tourism organization partnering on marketing initiatives. Collaborated on Tourism Marketing Grant application and features the farm in regional promotional materials including the '250 Ways to Explore North of Boston' guide with Yankee Magazine.
• Local Makers and ArtisansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 May 2026Rotating makers market featuring local artisans and makers during Tulip Fest and throughout the season. Vendors include Kittylamb (organic baking mixes), L'Amore Della Pasta, Seacoast Stacks (permanent jewelry), Made by Mae Day (hand-sewn items).
• Pure Barre NewburyportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2025Fitness studio providing complimentary 50-minute classes at the farm (e.g., June 6 event). Partnership brings wellness programming to the farm setting.
• Johnny's Seeds (Maine)minorOthersPrimary seed supplier known for organic seed line. Most farm seeds sourced from this supplier, supporting non-GMO and organic growing practices.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Westward Orchards: Multi-generational family farm in Harvard, MA with PYO apples, peaches, pears, blueberries plus a farm store and bakery — comparable Massachusetts PYO farm with similar diversified agritourism model.
• Honey Pot Hill Orchards: Family-owned PYO orchard in Stow, MA with apples, peaches, blueberries, and a farm store selling cider donuts and baked goods — comparable scale and Massachusetts PYO positioning.
• Russell Orchards: Ipswich, MA family farm offering pick-your-own fruit (apples, peaches, blueberries, strawberries) plus a farm store, bakery, and hard cider tasting — highly comparable North-of-Boston PYO + cider + farm store model.
• Smolak Farms: North Andover, MA family farm combining pick-your-own fruit, farm store, bakery, on-site restaurant, and private event venue — directly comparable North-of-Boston diversified agritourism operation.
• Carlson Orchards: Family-owned New England orchard in Harvard, MA operating a pick-your-own fruit business with an on-site cidery producing estate hard ciders — directly comparable integrated PYO + cidery model in the same regional market.
• Downeast Cider House: New England-based craft hard cider producer with growing D2C and retail distribution across the US — directly comparable craft cider brand competing in the same national cider category.
• Bantam Cider Company: New England craft cidery producing small-batch hard ciders with taproom distribution — directly comparable craft cider positioning competing for similar occasion and consumer.
• Champlain Orchards: Vermont family orchard growing certified organic apples and pears with an integrated cidery (Shelburne Vineyards-adjacent) producing estate hard cider — comparable vertically integrated orchard-to-cidery operation in the broader New England region.
• Tougas Family Farm: Multi-generational family farm in Northborough, MA offering pick-your-own fruit (apples, peaches, blueberries, cherries) with farm store, bakery, and on-farm activities — closely comparable PYO agritourism model in Massachusetts.

Broad incumbents

• Angry Orchard Cider Company: Boston Beer Company's national hard cider brand and the dominant player in the US cider category — sets the competitive baseline Cider Hill Cellars must outperform on quality/awards and differentiate via estate-grown provenance.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ciderhillfarm01913
• Instagraminstagram.com/ciderhill_farm/?hl=en
• Xx.com/ciderhill
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cider-hill-farm-amesbury

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cider Hill Farm