Apple Orchards Making a Comeback on Potawatomi Rez

by Gary E. Mitchell

Before Greg Wold’s arrival on the Potawatomi Reservation as a biologist and environmental planner for the EPA Program, he worked for 24 years with children at Menninger’s Harts Group and the Topeka State Hospital.

His life experiences include building houses, truck gardening and working in a Prairie Restoration Project for two years. Wold received his B.A. degree in biology from Washburn University in Topeka. He fit the mold of “non-traditional” student starting at Washburn when he was 40 years old and finishing at age 50. Soon after being hired for the tribe, Wold said the idea of an apple orchard originated with a former council person, Benny Potts. While individual tribal members have planted apple trees over the years, no community orchard had been done before on the reservation.

“Orchards still have value, even if it’s not a necessity today,” said Wold. Tribal members will have access to apples, grapes, cherries, blackberries, and raspberries. The orchard is situated between 158th Road and 150th Road on K Road.

In the spring of 1997, 50 Jonagold apple trees and 50 Montmorency Cherry trees were ordered. They were planted on April 30, 1997. A SARE grant was submitted during the same year for beneficial insect monitoring at the orchard and was approved in the spring of 1998.

“The integrated pest management allows beneficial pests to create the balance to continue in the orchard,” said Wold. “For instance, predaceous beetles prey on soft-bodied larvae like moths, which are some the pests in an orchard.”

In the spring of 1998, 25 each of Chester & Hull Blackberries, Lathan & Titan Raspberries, and Concord & Niagra grapes were planted. Later, the building of a trellis system started, which helps support the grape vines. Technical advice on the project over the years was provided by Jody Holhaus, Bruce Yonke and Allan Erb, to name a few.

“The goal for the orchard is to be as organic as possible without sacrificing the orchard,” said Wold, “but it is necessary to use pesticides at times for control.” After the development of a comprehensive budget this spring and a road trip to the KSU orchard in Wichita, work began to make the orchard productive. Fertilizers and soil acidifiers were purchased and applied. Weekly mowing and trimming is a requirement in the tribal management plan. John LeClere and Tony Mahkuk did the majority of the work. Fabric squares were placed around the apple trees to minimize weed growth and help the ground retain moisture next to the trees. Constant maintenance required Dan Dyer and Mi Kes Potts to collect insects from the apple trees, as part of a program with KSU, to study beneficial and pest insects. During the hot summer months, the Road and Bridge crew helped with the needed watering. In the future, a drip irrigation system will assist with watering during the hot summer months.

Planning and discussion have started about planting additional apple and cherry trees in a staggered fashion to ensure constant fruit production. Wold said the plan is to plant 50 apples trees a year for the next ten years. Expansion of the orchard would include more apple varieties, pears, native pecans and black walnuts.

Additionally, establishing a bee colony is in the works to provide pollination for the fruit trees. The bee colony also produces honey for the use of tribal members. In the middle of the orchard, planting a community garden had been discussed. There are also plans to build benches for tribal elders to sit on when they are down in the orchard picking fruit or observing the progress of the orchard.

“Our goal for the orchard is to make it productive and a place of beauty in which everyone can be proud. If you are in the area of the orchard and see people working, please feel free to stop in and visit and ask questions.” said Wold. While Wold is quick to credit many tribal department and individuals, that list is too long to print. Quite simply, their contributions will pay off in a few short years when they see other tribal members, elders and children picking the fruit from the orchard. When that day arrives, all the hard work will have been worth the effort.