Ever had a bear in your yard? I have, thanks to the apples in my neighbor's yard that drew them in. It's an issue that Farmstead Cider in Jackson Hole is tackling head-on. They handcraft cider using apples collected from the community as part of their mission to protect bears from human conflict.
Join us as we chat with Ian McGregor, co-founder of Farmstead, as he shares how he went from winemaking to launching Wyoming’s only cidery. Ian tells us how homesteading, Johnny Appleseed, and the local wildlife, all shape the dry hard cider-making process of Farmstead. You'll hear how they're working to reduce bear-human encounters while creating unique, flavorful ciders in the challenging Wyoming climate.
Tune in as Ian delves into the art of blending apple varieties, overcoming unpredictable frosts, and his passion for sustainable farming. He shares how his experiences at Front Porch Farm and Stone Barns influenced his approach to cider-making and why preserving historical apple plantings is crucial.
This episode is packed, whether you're curious about the craft of cider, American West adaptation, sustainable business practices or just love a good story of entrepreneurship. Ian dives deep into the connection of the land, wildlife and community and how a business can have a lasting legacy for future generations.