Recipes and Rewards for Putting Down Roots

For our loyal supporters, it is important to note that the gap between this and the previous entry is no indication of inactivity.  Rather, since arriving in New England, we have come closer to feeling rooted in many regards: personally, professionally, and…literally.

We have settled into our space(s) as best we can, and this could be tricky considering we are bouncing back and forth between New Hampshire and Maine, where neither place is really, fully ours. We have devoted many hours in Maine to getting ReTreeUS off the ground, soliciting donations and finding ways to acquire the land we hope to own for our orchards one day. In New Hampshire, we have spent many hours looking for and diving in to part-time jobs, which will keep us afloat as we work to establish the nonprofit.

Richard is keeping us--and many others--afloat as the youngest boat captain and tour guide for the science center on Squam Lake. I had my first night of training last night at a nearby restaurant, where I was relieved to find that everyone on staff is welcoming and friendly. We hope to earn some money to live on while we spend time with Richard’s family on weekends. We spend the rest of the week in Maine, devoting our time to dreaming, exploring, and getting connected. Most of all, we devote our time to ReTreeUS.

The sun goes down over the land we hope to use for our orchard.

All this networking, dreaming and getting established in Maine has already led to some positive opportunities for the nonprofit; we are (figuratively) putting down roots on the land there and are finally ready to (literally) root the plum trees we planted last spring for new members.

Thanks to Fertil Pots USA, we have a donation of 125 biodegradable pots, in which we will plant the trees that will go to our first 125 members. Fertil Pots are especially nice to give away, because they complement our goal of making gardening more accessible. The pots can be planted directly into the ground—with the tree inside—without hurting or hindering the roots at all.

The American and Beech plum trees are native to New England and bear delicious fruit for eating, canning or jamming. So, the $20 donation members make to our program not only benefits ReTreeUS, but it also provides decades of deliciousness, beauty and fulfillment to the member. At a regular nursery, plum trees of this size would cost at least as much as we ask for a membership contribution.

Speaking of deliciousness, we are back to giving out recipes! Here is an easy one for plum jam. Jamming is a fun hobby and a great way to preserve the summer harvest for winter use. You can pick the plums in summer--in their most ripe and nutritious state--and preserve them with only a few ingredients. This recipe requires no pectin, and you just need a few supplies:

You'll need jars for storing the jam, 2 cups of peeled plums, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice.

1. Cook plums on medium heat with lemon juice for five minutes.
2. Add the sugar and stir it up.
3. Cook and stir for 15-20 more minutes until everything thickens.
4. Skim off the foam and let it cool.

Your jam is ready! Enjoy it fresh, or put it in jars until winter.

Please tell your friends! It's easy to join ReTreeUS (just click here), and anyone interested in planting fruit trees in New England can easily multiply the impact of each dollar they spend by giving to ReTreeUS. They will receive a quality sapling and support our mission for the cost of one plum tree.

We appreciate the support of Fertil Pots and Home Depot, which agreed to donate tools for constructing fences and planting trees. These are two of our first sponsors, and we look forward to gaining new members who will reap the rewards of these generous companies.

Thanks for tuning in for the latest updates, and thanks for spreading the word as we spread the roots!