Having an apple a day is as easy as buying it at the local supermarket with most likely no understanding of how it got there or as some people apparently believe it really magically comes out of the backroom.
It is, of course, not easy at all to have apples and other fruits available at the supermarket or other outlets which is the focus of the new ‘Roots to Fruits™’ program. It’s an educational effort coming together thanks to a $1,000 award from Northwest Farm Credit Services (Northwest FCS) through its Rural Community Grant program.
Roots to Fruits, being developed by Taylor Ann Enterprises LLC of Wapato, Washington is primarily a behind the scenes look at what is a surprisingly complex journey. A trip full of twists and turns for each apple variety as well as being one under the direction of a number of people, each being an expert in their part of the process.
This means going back to the start of variety discovery where those experts make key decisions; effective choices needing to be made with an eye to what the consumer wants may be when a selection finally arrives in that supermarket.
The Rural Community Grant Program is committed to improving the economic wellbeing of rural communities throughout the Northwest. It goes to creative and collaborative approaches to addressing challenges and opportunities in those communities.
Roots to Fruits will initially be formatted to be available to those associated with those rural communities and in those related growth steps in the nursery and fruit industries. A video version and another for children are also planned for the future.
It will be constructed in an entertaining manner including its selection of illustrations. It will be taking an interesting look ‘below the peeling’ of the apple to examine its imagery. That is, the important role it plays beyond its health profile when it comes to representing vital parts of everyday life.
It will be available for hands-on use by members of the rural community ranging from growers to marketers. Its educational aspects will also be such that is can be used as background to assist when it comes to agricultural issues.
Roots to Fruits is specifically being developed as the first in a series of explorations featuring various agricultural crops. Like apple varieties other crops also require a sophisticated structure as created and coordinated by enlightened and dedicated individuals.
This year, Northwest FCS, with support from CoBank, has awarded 83 rural grants totaling nearly $150,000. Since 2007, Northwest FCS has presented 353 rural grants totaling more than $710,750. Next rural grant deadline is February 1, 2015.
CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in 50 states.
The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving approximately 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
(For additional information please contact: taylorannenterprises@yahoo.com or Alan Taylor at 509-961-9186)
Source: Taylor Ann Enterprises LLC
