News
Apples for Appalachia
Thursday, April 24th, 2014
Members of Southern Appalachia Mountain Stewards (SAMS) recently hosted an exciting workshop, Wise County Apple Day, about the potential for bringing back the once thriving apple orchard economy in Wise County, VA. The workshop was part of a new effort called AppalCEED (Appalachia Communities Encouraging Economic Diversification)
Wise County, Virginia, was the nation’s top producer of apples until surface coal mining destroyed the majority of the orchards. AppalCEED organizers are looking to rebuild this industry. The workshop brought together heirloom apple growers to give demonstrations on apple grafting and growing, and have out free root stock for participants to take home and plant themselves.
Long time Appalachian activist Helen Lewis (find her great books at the Highlander Center) spoke about the history of apples in Wise County and her long work in the apple economy in the area, which she began in 1955.
According to Lewis, many of Wise Counties orchards were lost to strip mining, but she has hopes that reclamation projects can create apple orchards, as well as local wineries, and other economic development in the area.
Local growers were realistic about the challenges to growing in the area – threats include bears, deer as well as a lack of trained workers and out of date policies that don’t protect growers.
However, members of SAMS are excited about growing the potential for apples in Wise County – starting with the delicious apple crisp with ice cream they enjoyed at the meeting.
