Cornish Orchard Cultivates 'Feral' Apples to Combat Agricultural Monoculture

2 hours ago7 min read

A groundbreaking ecological project is underway in Cornwall, where a pair of local creatives are planting an orchard dedicated to 'feral' apples. These trees, grown from seed in hedgerows or on abandoned land, represent a stark contrast to the cloned, commercial varieties found in supermarkets.Each feral apple is a genetically unique individual, the product of natural selection and random pollination. This initiative serves as a crucial living gene bank, countering the severe loss of biodiversity in modern agriculture.The industrialisation of farming has created a perilous monoculture, where a few grafted cultivars dominate global production, leaving our food supply vulnerable to pests, disease, and climate change. By cultivating these wild fruits, the gardeners are preserving a vast reservoir of genetic diversity—the essential building blocks needed to develop future crops capable of withstanding unforeseen blights and droughts.Beyond the potential for new flavors, the project is a profound act of conservation, reconnecting us with a time when local orchards offered distinctive apples for cider, baking, or fresh eating. In the face of widespread species extinction, this Cornish orchard stands as a powerful symbol of hope, demonstrating that nurturing wild, local biodiversity is fundamental to ensuring our own resilience and survival.

#feral apples

#orchard

#art exhibition

#Cornwall

#featured

#sustainable art

#food art

#independent arts

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