Eckert's Family Farms

After a historic loss for some of the big orchards, this summer's crop returned mostly to normal. For Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, however, this year's outlook is not as positive.

A cold spell in late December damaged peach crops across southern Illinois. Some orchards estimate a loss of nearly 90%. That means there will be fewer local peaches in area grocery stores.

The most immediate and direct impact on local residents will be a 1% sales-tax reduction in the business district surrounding Eckert's Country Store and Farm just outside of Belleville.

Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm features an intricate corn maze. Hugh McPherson of Maize Quest joined “St. Louis on the Air” to talk about how corn mazes are designed and cut.

The year 2020 has taken plenty of well-deserved criticism, but its pumpkin harvest is actually looking pretty good. That’s according to Chris Eckert, president of Eckert’s, which operates pick-your-own operations in Belleville, Grafton and Millstadt, Illinois. The company's pumpkin picking season got going last weekend, with apple picking also well underway. And if you ask Chris Eckert, there’s “no better way to grocery shop” right now than going outside and choosing produce straight from the source.

Alivia Kaplan had big summer plans. She was set to fly home to Hawaii after her sophomore year at Washington University’s Olin Business School in St.…