John Bunker on Maine Heritage Orchard: Successes and Challenges over the First Ten Years
This is Part 1 with John Bunker, who is both an author, Founder of FEDCO Trees, an Apple Historian and a key person behind the Maine Heritage Orchard. In this recording her the full presentation from John as recorded at Maine Apple Camp in August of 2022.
Bunker’s 7 Point Strategy to Seek out Apples
John Bunker moved to Maine when he was 21 years old and immediately fell for the state and collecting apples.
In the late 70s – early 80s he began to learned about Maine’s historic apple varieties. Seeking out apples requires a bit of stealth and an out going personality
1. Seek out mentors
2. Do cold calls – when seeing apples along the road
3. Introduced myself as “Hi I am John Bunker. You won’t believe this but I am an apple historian.”
4. Give talks at Garden Society and such and charge nothing. John bunker has a sliding scale from 1 mil to zero dollars for his talks.
5. Pass out Wanted Posters
6. Fairs and Events: Do a display of apples – it becomes a magnet for people to see.
7. Apple Identification for no charge and also payment
In this Chat
- The history of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners Association (MOFGA).
- The orchards at the Common Ground Fair
- Reclaiming land such as gravel pits
- The History of the Maine Heritage Orchard
- What is needed to sustain the Maine Heritage Orchard
This talk was recorded at Maine Apple Camp.
- Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024.
- It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
- Go to MOFGA.org and join today!
Contact info for John Bunker
- Website: Super Chilly Farm
- eMail: csa.outonalimb@gmail.com
Episode 353 will feature Part 2 with John Bunker on the Maine Heritage Orchard.
- This episode will go live on January 25, 2023
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