Homegrown apples are culturally important in our region.  Many heirloom varieties found here are not available commercially.  Grafting is the most efficient way to maintain important apple varieties.  The Whitley County ANR agent annually hosts apple grafting seminars for the general public and for high school agriculture students.  Participants learn the science of tree grafting and get to graft their own tree during the seminars.   Both whip grafting and bud grafting techniques were demonstrated.  This program has been conducted by the ANR agent for over 20 years.  Some participants attend every year along with new clients who are just learning to graft.  Successful grafters now reap fruit from trees they grafted during this program.  This is a lifelong skill that not only preserves apple varieties and a cultural heritage but also helps supplement clients' food budgets with fresh, nutritious apples from their own trees.

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