About Kapnick Orchards
Kapnick Orchards on Rogers Highway between Britton and Tecumseh was founded in 1958 by two Kapnick couples, Robert and Gertrude and their son Charles and his wife Janice, and the farm market opened in 1961. Their daughter Sharon now runs it with Bruce Shaffer and Scott Robertello. The one-room stand has grown into a full market known for fry-cake donuts first made by Grandma Kapnick about 50 years ago and still made year-round, along with cider pressed on site.
Apple picking is the main draw. In 2026 McIntosh opened in late August, the main season started September 5 with Jonathan and Empire, and later varieties followed through October: Red and Golden Delicious, Ida Red, Northern Spy, Braeburn, Fuji and Granny Smith. Pumpkin picking opens in late September. In 2026 frost and birds wiped out the cherry and blueberry U-pick, though frozen pitted pie cherries were sold in the store.
The bakery turns out pies, breads, turnovers, coffee cakes and pumpkin rolls alongside the donuts, whose apple crisp frosting uses the orchard's own apple butter. The farm also hosts school tours, weekend wagon rides and farm animals, and its Apple Festival, the 47th in 2026, falls on the second weekend of October alongside Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival. In late fall a winter fruit CSA runs until Christmas.
Lavender Lane Farm near Milan is about 16 miles east, so summer lavender cutting there can be followed by a donut and cider stop here.
What to do
- Pick McIntosh in late August and Jonathan, Empire and later apples from September into October
- Choose a pumpkin from the field, from late September
- Ride the weekend wagon around the orchard
- Buy fresh fry-cake donuts and cider pressed on the farm
- Visit during the Apple Festival on the second weekend of October
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- U-pick apples late August through October; pumpkins from late September; market open year-round
- Hours
- Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; main-season U-pick weekdays 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 9–6, Sunday 10–5 (their website, 2026)
- Admission
- No entry fee to pick; 2026 apple bags $15 half peck to $45 bushel, pumpkins $5 any size, weekend wagon or field access $5 (under 4 free)
Tips for your visit
- Go early in the season; the farm warns few apples remain after the Apple Festival in mid-October
- Sign in at the store and buy your picking bag before heading to the orchard
- Wagon rides run on weekends only during main apple season
- Call the store for pie-cherry prices and availability
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Lane Farm · about 35 minutes away
Lavender Lane Farm near Milan is about 16 miles east, close enough to pair summer lavender cutting with donuts and cider here.
Getting there
Questions
When does apple picking start?
In 2026 McIntosh opened August 28 and main-season picking began September 5.
Are the donuts made on site?
Yes. The market makes fry-cake donuts all year from a recipe Grandma Kapnick started about 50 years ago.
When is the Apple Festival?
The second weekend of October; in 2026 it was the 47th festival, October 10–11.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Ann Arbor & Milan, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
