Trust In Nature

Preserving our heritage!!

Tom Brown, a 79-year-old from Clemmons, North Carolina, has spent over 20 years of his retirement tracking down rare, nearly extinct apple varieties that once flourished across Appalachia. Driven by his passion for rediscovering these heirlooms, Brown has revived more than 1,200 unique apple types with whimsical names like Brushy Mountain Limbertwig, Mule Face, and Tucker’s Everbearing.

His journey began in 1998 after encountering heritage apples at a farmers’ market, inspiring him to search for “lost” apples that hadn’t been tasted in over a century. Stretching across the Appalachian region—from southern New York to northern Alabama—Brown scours old maps, orchard catalogs, and historical records, often driving hours and knocking on doors to find forgotten orchards or lone trees tucked in remote areas.

When he finds a lost variety, Brown grafts clippings onto trees in his own orchard, where he cultivates and sells them for just $15 to encourage others to create “mini preservation orchards.” Despite the challenge of aging trees and a dwindling population of local knowledge keepers, Brown remains determined, calling the work both fun and fulfilling.

“It’s a thrill to rediscover them,” he says. “I’m happy as a lark.” Brown’s mission not only preserves these apples but also honors the heritage of the region, where generations of families once prided themselves on cultivating unique varieties in their backyards.

Really? People are stealing eggs for the black market now? I guess black market dealers can now offer, drugs, guns, and eggs! 😆 Seriously though, chickens are cheap and easy. I know not everyone can have chickens, my current neighborhood won't allow them. However, how desperate for eggs are people getting?

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the theft of 100,000 eggs from a distribution trailer at Pete & Gerry’s Organics in Franklin County. The eggs, worth $40,000, were stolen around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday in Antrim Township.

This comes as egg prices skyrocket due to a severe avian flu outbreak that has killed 136 million birds since 2022. Prices for a dozen eggs have jumped 36.8% in the past year, with some grocery stores in central PA selling them for $4.69 or more. Some stores are even posting warnings about potential shortages.

While there are no active avian flu cases in Pennsylvania’s poultry flocks right now, the ripple effects continue. Is this egg theft just the beginning of a black-market trend?

🥚

This is so important. I was the trouble maker in the class room as a kid, I couldn't sit still. But when we got outside, I became enraptured and was suddenly not only still for our lessons, but I'd often lead the "hike" through the "woods" (reality a short walk through a small patch of trees behind my elem school), exploring and showing the other kids all the excitement of Nature. Get your kids involved in Nature and you will see them take off!

What if what we have taken from them is what they need most? Let them connect with nature and immerse themselves in free play + wonder and see where that takes us. 🐛☀️🤍 #letthembelittle #naturekids #homeschoolmama #preschoolhomeschool #naturalparenting