TRESCOTT — Community members are invited to attend a Scionwood Exchange and Seed Swap from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Cobscook Institute, 10 Commissary Point Road. The family-friendly, by-donation event is hosted by Cobscook Institute, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Healthy Acadia.
Apple trees are a valued part of Washington County’s landscape. Each fall, woods and fields fill with red and golden fruit, often from older trees with unique flavors and local history. The event celebrates that heritage while helping community members prepare for the growing season.
MOFGA Orchard Manager C.J. Walke will lead a live apple tree grafting demonstration. Grafting is the centuries-old practice of joining two plants together to grow a tree with desired characteristics. During grafting, the upper portion of the graft, known as the scion, becomes the top of the tree, while the lower portion, called the rootstock, forms the root system and trunk. Nearly all apple varieties found in grocery stores today come from grafted trees. While only a limited number of varieties are widely sold today, hundreds once existed.
MOFGA will provide scionwood from many apple and some pear varieties, with descriptions and instructions, for those interested in trying grafting themselves. While grafting takes patience and practice, it can be a rewarding way to preserve favorite apple varieties.
Community members may bring seeds or scionwood to swap or simply attend to learn and connect with others. Everyone is welcome. Seed donations for the Cobscook Institute Community Garden are welcome, and envelopes and labeling materials will be provided.
Cobscook Institute leverages the tools, skills and resources present in our local community to solve local and regional problems through responsive educational opportunities that strengthen personal, community, and global well-being. Learn more at https://cobscookinstitute.org.
Founded in 1971, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is a broad-based community that supports farmers, empowers people to feed their communities and advocates for an organic future. Their vision is a future where local organic farming nourishes all people and sustains thriving ecosystems, healthy communities and fair economies. Learn more at https://www.mofga.org.
Healthy Acadia, celebrating 25 years, is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Primarily serving Maine’s Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. Learn more at https://healthyacadia.org.
