Gov makes pitch for agri-tourism during 'pick-stop' at McKenzie's

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu enjoys the first-picked apple as he shares a moment with Ellis McKenzie, 4, while her brother, Dexin, 5, left, visits with the governor's four-year-old son, Leo. (The Rochester Voice photos)

MILTON - You might say the governor was the "apple of their eye" at McKenzie's Farm on Wednesday.

That's because his honor, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, had the honor of plucking the ceremonial first pick of the 2017 state apple-picking season around 9:15 a.m. at McKenzie's on Northeast Pond Road.

But it wasn't just any apple from any apple tree. It was from McKenzie's first grove of apple trees planted almost 30 years ago.

Dexin McKenzie, 5, takes a bite of a fresh-made cider doughnut as his grandmother, Annie McKenzie, and dad, Brett McKenzie, look on, while, at left, N.H. Gov. Chris Sununu chats with state Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill.

And it was a mac, the quintessential New Hampshire apple known for its crispness and tartness.

"These are pretty good, not too tart," the governor commented after taking the first couple of bites.

Prior to the picking, Sununu heaped praise on McKenzie's Farm as part of the fabric of the state's agricultural roots and touted the importance of agricultural tourism, saying he thought the state could do more to promote such travel, even within the state.

"We do very well promoting tourism in general, but I think agricultural tourism is something we haven't tapped," he said, then chuckling, "Maybe that is a word better used in February."

Annie McKenzie as well as most of the staff from the farm welcomed the governor, as well as state Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill and Chuck Souther of the New England Apple Growers Association.

"We are thrilled the governor chose McKenzie's to be the site of the ceremonial first pick," McKenzie said.

And the governor, his staff and everyone else in attendance was likewise thrilled when McKenzie and others brought out several trays of homemade cider doughnuts fresh and warm from the oven for all to sample and savor.