Orchard Appreciation

Event Recap

The October community potluck was a pleasant evening where everyone enjoyed a variety of dishes made with apples and locally harvested ingredients.

Before we sat down to dinner, community member Ashley Townsend said a few words to inspire the group with regards to the changing agriculture landscape:

“It seemed like an appropriate time to feature this fruit that has had such an impact on Long Creek for decades, and recognize those who are still carrying on this agricultural legacy. There’s a long history with the apple and Long Creek, and I welcome any of the growers with us here tonight to share their experiences and historical insight with us once we get started with dinner.

I can’t speak to the way it was, but I am a witness to the way it is - which is that every year in the past few years we’ve seen an orchard close. We’re down to 6 commercial growers and that number could be lower next year. Farmers are aging out of the work, help is hard to find, and heirs are either not interested in or not financially able to carry on the business. Which isn't just a Long Creek issue, this trend is a national agricultural crisis.

I’ve been involved with multiple local food/farm initiatives, and the majority of my work these days is figuring out how to increase the success of local food production and access. Because I believe connection to fresh food is essential to good health, it’s the foundation of a healthy community, and it’s what keeps the country country.

There’s a lot of discussion on the amount of people moving to the area, to this county and to the Southeast in general…Chanda Morrison has pointed out in one of her newsletters just how many subdivisions are going into Westminster. This growth, along with the decline in agriculture, sets us up as a target for urban sprawl. Which I know is a heavy line to drop at a potluck -

But while we’re taking this time to celebrate the apple, the orchards, and those who labor for them - let’s also be aware of the shift we are in as a rural community. And let's do something about it. There will be a “Town Hall” meeting on March 23rd of next year for Long Creek stakeholders to discuss all perspectives of the future and get organized for whatever impending development. The Vision Committee of the Community club will be getting more information out on that - stay tuned. “ - Ashley Townsend 10/19/23