MOFGA’s executive director, Sarah Alexander, and Todd Little Siebold gathered in my living room today to discuss the status of and plans for the Maine Heritage Orchard. Unfortunately the shifted priorities of the current US president have meant that MOFGA has taken a huge financial hit and, therefore, so has the Maine Heritage Orchard. Already we’ve lost one of our two orchard staff members to budget cuts, But, fret not, MOFGA’s not going to close the orchard any time soon. The priceless, historic apples of Maine will not be lost. MOFGA does have the capacity to keep the trees alive for now. Todd and I have committed to continuing all the database and research work “Pro Bono” since we keep finding interesting, old trees every fall. If you have a few bucks burning a hole in your picking bucket, feel free to send them to MOFGA. They can use it now, more than ever.

Meanwhile, while I’m on the subject of Sarah, what’s happening with my search for the Sarah apple? In October when I was giving a talk in Farmington, I met two people who think they’ve found an ancient Sarah apple tree not far from where it originated in Wilton. They called me last week, and it looks as though I’ll be able to go visit them and collect scionwood sometime in the next few days. I’ll have it DNA profiled and grow it out here at the farm. This is great news.