Ever dream of turning a passion into something more—perhaps even a business?

Ronda Payne had that dream, and it started with a simple fascination.

She loved cider and had a budding interest in apples, but when it came to actually making cider, she had no idea where to start.

Meet Ronda: A Writer with a Passion for Cider

Ronda, a freelance writer, spent her days covering stories in agriculture, including cider and wine.

She often heard cider makers speak about the OSU Craft Cider Certificate program in Corvallis, describing it as the "Cadillac of cider courses."

It piqued her curiosity, especially after an interview with an apple orchard owner sparked a deeper interest. “I had no clue how cider was made,” she admits. “I only knew what I liked to drink.”

Inspired by the idea of starting her own cidery in her community, Ronda decided it was time to learn the craft for herself.

The Path to Knowledge: Enrolling in the OSU Cider Program

Despite her enthusiasm, Ronda knew nothing about the science behind cider-making.

“I didn’t Google anything. I didn’t YouTube anything. I just went straight for the course,” she explains. “I thought, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right.”

With no background in fermentation or brewing, she enrolled in Oregon State University’s Cider Making program, ready to dive in headfirst.

From Novice to Knowledgeable: Learning the Science Behind the Cider

At the start of the program, Ronda was overwhelmed by the complex science involved in fermentation.

“Elizabeth, the instructor, dropped us into hardcore science on day one, and I had a bit of a meltdown,” she recalls. “It had been years since I studied anything like that.”

But Ronda wasn’t alone—Elizabeth reassured her, reminding her that at its core, cider making is about fruit juice and fermentation. “Everything else is optional,” Elizabeth said, and with that, Ronda felt a sense of relief.

By the second day, Ronda was fully engaged, learning about nitrogen, yeast, and how the fermentation process really worked.

With Elizabeth’s expert guidance and hands-on labs, Ronda began to grasp the fundamentals and feel confident in her ability to make cider at home.

High-quality Cider—Even From Her Own Basement

After completing the course, Ronda returned home excited to apply her new knowledge.

She and her husband transformed an unused bathroom into a cider-making room, complete with a garburator-turned-apple-masher.

Following the detailed instructions from the course’s workbook, Ronda made her first batch. “The cider was amazing. I made one sour batch for my husband and me, and a sweeter one for friends,” she beams. 

Since then, Ronda has continued making cider, improving with every batch. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, she was able to rely on the support and resources from the OSU program.

“I emailed Elizabeth when I ran into trouble, and she helped me work through the problem,” she says. “Now I make consistently good cider, and I love that I can share it with friends and family.”

Could OSU’s Cider Program Be the Start of Your Journey?

Ronda went from novice to knowledgeable—all thanks to the Cider program at OSU.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone to refine your skills, this comprehensive program offers everything you need to succeed, from understanding fermentation science to mastering flavor blending.

The OSU Cider program provides you with expert instruction, hands-on experience, and a supportive community, empowering you to confidently make cider, whether it’s for a hobby or a business.

Ready to take the next step in your cider-making journey?

Enroll in OSU’s Cider program today and start mastering the craft!