Feb 6, 2025

GLEXPO Cider awards: Farmer White’s advances to first place

Farmer White’s is the 26th winner of the Michigan Apple Cider Contest. Over the past three seasons, the Williamsburg, Michigan, company advanced in the rankings, placing third three years ago and second last year.

The competition took place at DeVos Convention Center on Dec. 11 as part of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Klein Cider Mill and Market of Sparta won second place, while Apple Barrel Cider of Ithaca won third.

There were 19 entries in this year’s competition, down from 25 cider makers last year, said Derek Plotkowski, Southeast Michigan fruit Extension educator at Michigan State University’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi, Michigan. Plotowski said this year’s contest saw a number of new entries or entries from cider makers who hadn’t participated in recent years.

“Everybody was pleased with the quality of the ciders that we had,” Plotowski said. “It was really exciting for us to have a new winner. Farmer White’s has been quietly climbing up the rankings. Who knows what comes next? And we have a second place that has won before. It’s always good to see people who show consistency in the cider that they’re putting forward.”

Klein Cider Mill won first in 2018and third in 2014, while Apple Barrel Cider placed second in 2016.

Mary and Vincent Cooper are the owners of Farmer White’s. Located in northern Michigan northwest of Traverse City, Farmer White’s is a third-generation business that has been growing and selling cider as well as apples, peaches, cherries, blueberries, pumpkins, and jams and jellies since 1958.

A panel of nine judges, including two new ones from Michigan apple farms, evaluated cider entries over three rounds with a bonus tiebreaker round.

“I know the cider makers are very proud to display their awards and are able to tell their customers that theirs is the best in Michigan or some of the best in Michigan,” Plotowski said. “We have people who enter every single year.”

The Michigan Apple Cider Contest began in 1997. Contest creator Bob Tritten, who retired in 2023, developed the contest as a way to help improve cider making, promote
the industry and educate the public.

“The annual cider contest is a great way for cider makers to connect and learn from one another,” Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC), said in a news release.

“Cider makers put in a lot of hard work to make their delicious cider, whether it be growing their own apples or changing up their recipe to make the best cider.” MAC, Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Fruit Growers News sponsor the annual event.

Based in Lansing, Michigan, the MAC is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world.