Why Apple Picking Is More Than Just a Fall Tradition
There are many fall traditions to choose from as the weather gets cooler, but spending time on a crisp autumn afternoon at an apple orchard must be at the top of the list. Whether you are searching for a specific type like Honeycrisp, sipping fresh cider or filling a basket destined for pies and pastries, apple picking captures a lot of what people love about the season. It’s so easy to focus on the fun of picking apples, but it’s important to remember that every apple on the tree is the result of months of planning and care.
Apple growers spend the year tending to their orchards, monitoring conditions and preparing for the harvest. By the time families arrive to pick apples, countless hours have been spent to ensure that the fruit is healthy and ready for the season. The apples are a reminder that the many things we enjoy each fall are made possible by hard work happening behind the scenes, help that includes natural gas.
While many people associate natural gas with heating homes and cooking meals, it also play an important role in American agriculture. Natural gas is used to produce the primary feedstocks in fertilizer, creating a direct connection between the energy that supports orchards and the food that reaches our table.
The agriculture industry is one of the nation’s largest consumers of natural gas. In fact, the agriculture sector accounts for nearly 15% of U.S. commercial industrial natura gas demand. From growing crops, producing fertilizers and processing food, natural gas helps support systems that bring seasonal favorites from the orchard to the kitchen.
When it’s time to bring the bounties of apples inside, natural gas is there to help. More than 189 million Americans and 5.8 businesses rely on natural gas every day to support homes, workplaces and communities across the country. So, whether you are preparing an apple inspired dessert for the family or supporting local businesses, natural gas is a part of many aspects of daily life.
Just as orchard owners invest in their trees to ensure a successful harvest every year, natural gas utilities continually invest in the systems that serve their customers. Across the United States, utilities invest approximately $37 billion annually to enhance the safety of both natural gas distribution and transmission systems. Those investments help support safe delivery of natural gas to millions of people daily.
The next time you return home from a trip to the orchard with a basket full of freshly picked apples, take a moment to appreciate the preparation that made the experience fun and possible. From the growers who care for their orchards throughout the year to the energy systems that support the agriculture sector and communities, fall is a reminder that the best harvests start with the help of natural gas.