Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Rico Montenegro, Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and Me

What a glorious, spectacular, incredible day yesterday! Seventy-eight people showed up for the celebration, and more than half remained to plant our 43 fruit trees!

The day was warm, sunshiney, and filled with fall color all adding to the celebration! The media was there, dignitaries, and volunteers, all enjoying the day and the time outdoors.

The project was an award from Dreyer's (Edy's Fruit Bars) and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. We were one of 20 projects awarded fruit tree orchards this year. Folks from the granting agencies worked with us to secure the trees, our staff and students worked to prepare the grounds, and everyone from hortictulure students from JCC and another college, to Plant a Row for the Hungry volunteers, staff and friends all dug, planted, mulched and installed irrigation to the trees. At the end of the day, Rico gave us a fruit tree lecture - and tonight, we will learn more about those trees and berries that grow well in North Carolina.

Of course, we all were refreshed with Edy's fruit bars -- perfect for the 75 degree weather -- and fresh apples!

It's been a busy,busy time -- but in a few years, those trees will bear the fruits that will go to the hungry in our community - and extend this amazing gift.

2 comments:

Teri said...

Wow, that is a lot of work. Thanks goodness for all the helping hands.

Lorraine said...

Wahoo! It was all worth it. I'm so happy for you Lin, your staff and volunteers, and so happy to keep eating those wonderful Edy's fruit bars in the summer. What a terrific thing this is for the Edy's foundation to do.

Great photos. Thanks so much for sharing all the activities with us. It's great to see the orchard come to fruition (pun intended!). And glad you had a sunny pleasant day for the planting.

Hugs,
Lorraine