28/09/2025
Wow! Good piece on Radio 1 yesterday about heritage apples and the ACRES programme and Seed Savers -- only 7 mins-- listen back here https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22547684/ cc Irish Seed Savers Association clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage & Wildlife Group RTÉ Radio 1 Greener Clare Clare County Council Circular Clarecastle Carmen Cronin Harvestmusicfestival
More than 25 years ago, a retired chemical engineer named Tom Brown heard whispers about apples that no longer existed in grocery stores or orchards. Curious, he began a quest through the mountains and backroads of Appalachia, asking families, visiting old farms, and tracing forgotten trees.
Today, Tom is known as the Apple Hunter. From his orchard Heritage Apples in Clemmons, North Carolina, he has rediscovered over 1,000 lost varieties—saving a piece of America’s agricultural history. More than 600 of these rare apples are now showcased, each with a story tied to the soil of Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Every year, Tom grows around 60 unique varieties and sells nearly 1,000 heritage trees, encouraging farmers and families alike to preserve biodiversity, protect food security, and keep the taste of heirloom apples alive for future generations. 🍎🌱🌍
