Coming to Fruition

The sun went down, the peepers started peeping, the moon rose high...and we were still planting. The rain fell, the wind blew, and the temperature dropped...we were still planting. The kids left their classrooms to join in the fun...and there we were, still planting.

In the last three weeks, ReTreeUS staff, volunteers, participating school teachers, students, and friends have planted 350 trees, 30 of which went into our four educational school orchards, and the rest of which are aspiring to be planted in schools and serving communities in years to come.

Co-founder Moriah Salter talks to a shoveling child as Program Manager Richard Hodges leads another group.

Digging holes for the apple trees at Merriconeag Waldorf.

Everyone helped! Even the youngest students dug and planted.

The energy, enthusiasm, and excellent attitudes of all who helped plant--even on the cold and rainy days--was appreciated, impressive, and necessary to the success of this year's installations. Many thanks to all who donated time, money, sweat, and good thoughts!

Educational programs, which are also a big part of the ReTreeUS mission, have begun as well! Every early childhood, 1st and 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th grade, and high school student helping plant trees last week received a lesson on the importance of local agriculture to the earth and its human communities.

Cricket Hunt and Mast Landing students spent time before, during and after their orchard installations learning about the history of apples in Maine, the importance and functions of pollinators, and more.

The signage which was funded by our Kickstarter backers will be installed in our orchards over the next couple of months, facilitating the process of exploring and learning in the orchard for teachers, students, and parents. We are grateful to all of those businesses and individuals who helped make these and future programs possible.

More photos to come!