The State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania named Reed Soergel its ­Outstanding Fruit Grower of 2013.

Sixteen Soergel family members are involved in growing and marketing fruits, vegetables, value-added products, including Amish furniture, apple cider and apple wine, and farm-based entertainment. Soergel Orchards is located in Wexford, in western ­Pennsylvania. It covers 450 acres and employs 135 people

Soergel, for nine years a member of the SHAP board, logged thousands of miles to represent growers, traveling the 200 miles from his farm to Adams County where SHAP meets, said Dave Wenk, incoming SHAP president.

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Cider Winners

Pennsylvania State University’s Dr. Robert Crassweller announced winners of the sweet cider contest. Top honors went to Kauffman Fruit Farm and Market, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Godfrey Run Farm, Lake City, placed second, and Rex Farms, Gardners, was third.