Lundy - Heritage apples : a new sensation

by Rachel Fisher, Heather Stretch, and Robin Tunnicliffe

Finalist for the 2012 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize

New farmers, experienced growers, budding environmentalists, and fans of natural, organic produce alike are sure to love All the Dirt. Filled with beautiful photographs and covering a wide variety of topics, from agrofuels and food sovereignty to practical tips about specific tools, All the Dirt is the must-read how-to book about small-scale organic farming. But beyond the practical applications, it is also the inspiring story of three friends who followed their dreams and became successful business partners.

Authors Rachel Fisher, Heather Stretch, and Robin Tunnicliffe, co-owners of Saanich Organics, a farmer-run local food distributor, share entertaining stories of three farmers' lives, while also providing practical information about how to start a farm. They relate their personal and collective experiences as women, mothers, and farmers through anecdotes, and discuss the compelling reasons why Canada needs more organic farmers.

All the Dirt proves that there is no one right way to start a farm and no single solution to any problem. But that by working together, farmers can create a resilient agriculture that is vibrant and fun, as well as economically viable.

My greatest thanks to the many people who shared their time, enthusiasm, extensive knowledgeand their applesas I researched this book. Dr. Bob Weeden answered many questions, responded to numerous emails, and ultimately read the entire manuscript for me. It was great to have his careful eye peruse these chapters. Thanks also to Harry Burton and Clay Whitney, who, several times, let me follow them around asking question, and read and responded to chapters in the book; and to Bev Sidnick, Ron Schneider, Kristen Jordan, Gabor Botar, Bill Wilde, and Janaki Larsen, who also gave me their time. Thanks to Steve Glavicich, Daphne Taylor, Bev Sidnick, Marjorie Lane, and Mary Mollet for the recipes and Judy Weeden for the cooking tips. Thanks also to Derrick Lundy, Sierra Lundy, Danica Lundy, Clay Whitney, and Harry Burton for the photos. A massive thanks to Richard Borrie at Orange Pippin Ltd. and Hamid Habibi at Keepers Nursery, who came through at the last minute with some beautiful photographs of apples I simply could not find anywhere else. And, of course, thanks to Bruce Cameron for the endless enthusiasm, the apple drinks, treats, and products, and ultimately, all the support.

SUSAN LUNDY is an award-winning journalist, editor, and freelance writer. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Award of Distinction and has won more than 25 writing, design, and project awards. After working for many years at the Gulf Islands Driftwood, she now focuses on freelance writing, specializing in travel and personal narrative. She has a degree in creative writing and journalism from the University of Victoria, is the editor of Soar and Tweed magazines, and writes a column on family life for several newspapers. Susan divides her time between Victoria and Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.

On Christmas morning 2011, Bruce led me to the back porch where hed wrapped a cluster of three young Coxs Orange Pippin trees in a bright red ribbon. A few days later, clad in gumboots and rain gear, we tromped out back and amid the mild drizzle of a West Coast December, dug holes and planted the trees. It wasnt quite that simple, as every hole we shovelled immediately pooled with water and we spent most of the next hour digging trenches to drain the garden area. It felt like playing in the mud! Later, we collapsed inside, mud caked, refreshed from the tingle of wet air on our skin, and exuberant from playing in nature. A windstorm blew up in the night and first thing the next morning, we were up, outside, and inspecting the trees, regarded now with the nurturing reverence given to offspring.

I love the image of those fledgling trees in my backyard juxtaposed against the towering, grand old trees Ive encountered over the last year. I get it. I understand the inspiration, the nostalgia, and the connection with our past and present to which these trees link us.

When I asked Jane Lighthall on Denman Island, How and why did you become interested in heritage apples? I was moved by the poetry of her response: When [you] visit Denman Island you climb the hill from the ferry and take the main fork to the right where ancient apple orchards line the road. In winter, their big old bones stand regally and in season, the trees are often laden. The presence of these beauties certainly piqued my interest.

By growing heritage apple trees, Jane and her husband, Larry Lepore, are carrying on a family traditionJanes grandparents were pioneers in Oliver, BC, in the late 1920s, and began an orcharding tradition that carried on into the next generation.

Unbeknownst to us, the land that we bought bordered on what was once an orchard of one thousand trees planted at the turn of the last century by a pioneering family, and many of these trees are still producing. Denman has several such original orchards with trees over a hundred years old that have truly become a legacy and an inspiration.