In this month's special seasonal edition of the Our Door County video series, we take you into the rich past of Door County's cherry industry. Learn why cherries thrive in Door County's shallow soil and cool air, and how farmers first introduced fruit growing to this narrow strip of land.
You'll hear the story of an often forgotten event in the industry's past, when German prisoners of war saved the cherry crop during a labor shortage at the end of World War II , and of the days when young boys flocked to Egg Harbor for “cherries.” camp” every July.
The history of cherries in Door County goes far beyond pies and desserts and spans an emotional connection that spans generations. For decades, thousands of workers were imported to Door from Texas, Mexico, Jamaica and Haiti to bring in the crops, bringing their cuisine, language and culture to local residents and workers. This ended when technological advances made foraging easy, but versions of these early experiences still evoke feelings in locals and visitors alike.
“People love to come and pick cherries,” said Mark Carlson, whose family farmed and harvested cherries north of Sister Bay before Wisconsin became a state in 1848. “With their kids and it's an experience that city dwellers simply don't do. get, to know exactly where your food comes from.
Meet those who carry on the cherry tradition and discover the new innovations that are taking the industry into a new era.
Please take the opportunity to connect and share this video with your friends and family if you find it useful.
