Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Fruits: apples, general tree fruits
Practices
- Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems, new business opportunities
Proposal summary:
The goal of the project is to identify, preserve and document antique and heirloom apple varieties from remnant apple orchards scattered across Lawrence County Ohio and to place a high emphasis on collecting scions from those trees at risk of immediate loss.
Project objectives from proposal:
OBJECTIVE: To preserve the antique and heirloom apple varieties found in Lawrence County Ohio that may otherwise be lost forever.
TARGET 1: Record and document current locations of former apple orchards and existing live trees within Lawrence County Ohio.
- Historic document and courthouse research regarding the orchard owners in Lawrence County starting in the 1800s until today.
- Locate existing historic apple trees/orchards, photograph, document, and GPS the orchard locations and any existing live trees. - Provide university students with experience in field research and data collection while interacting with the community.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Evaluate field work for increased performance and adjustments using surveys/questionaires and discussions with university students.
- Completed final report that includes historic information, maps of former orchard locations and tree preservation lessons learned for SARE dissemination.
TARGET 2: Preserve and propagate existing antique and heirloom apple trees in Lawrence County Ohio.
- Collect scions from existing trees or use rooting pots for collection.
- Prepare and construct a garden area for fruit tree establishment and protection from deer browse for growing trees. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Successful propagation of antique and heirloom apple trees that are at risk of being lost.
- Results will provide the best method of collection that leads to higher livability.
TARGET 3: Educate and promote the importance and renewed interest in antique and heirloom apples as a local food source and for a variety of cooking uses.
- Articles will discuss the project and historic apple industry in southern Ohio in the quarterly farm newsletter.
- Periodic press releases about the project will be sent to media.
- Educational display will be designed for the Lawrence County Fair.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Responses to request forms and questionnaires that are disseminated and collected at the County Fair display will be evaluated.
- Increased public awareness and interest will be evaluated after press and newsletter releases in which contact information is provided to the public.
TARGET 4: Take the initial step in building a sustainable antique and heirloom apple industry in southern Ohio and other areas of the midwest.
- Disseminate the information through SARE to the public and continue to promote the importance of preserving southern Ohio's apple heritage.
- Support the continuation and diversity of the old apple varieties that may otherwise be lost.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Number of live trees successfully propagated to increase numbers of at-risk trees.
- Number of local farmers focusing on antique and heirloom apple varieties as a business or in addition to their current operations.