Gettysburg Foundation Recruits (Friends of Gettysburg aged 18-40) and Adam Redding from Good Intent Cider celebrated two big milestones for the orchard at the George Spangler Farm on April 6. The trees survived their first year in the ground and cider sale proceeds generated their highest return to date at $2,080. Thanks to a strong partnership with Good Intent Cider and its owner and cider master, Adam Redding, the Recruits have been crafting and selling cider for the past three years. Apples for the cider are harvested by Recruits from the Rose Farm orchard on the Gettysburg Battlefield and then go with Adam to work his cider magic.
The gang gathered at the orchard to not only receive the check from Redding but also to do some field work. The Recruits evaluated the trees, performed some pruning, and administered a natural deer repellent. “Today shows the power of good partnerships,” said Elle Lamboy, Acting Vice President of Philanthropy for Gettysburg Foundation. “Through our successful Seedling to Cider collaboration with Adam at Good Intent Cider, we are able to craft an excellent product, engage younger generations in the Gettysburg story, donate funds to our partners at Gettysburg National Military Park to continue our orchard preservation work, and have an absolute blast while doing it! We are grateful to Adam and the Good Intent family for partnering with us on this innovative effort and to our Friends of Gettysburg for funding this orchard through our 2016 #GIVINGTUESDAY campaign.”
The newest batch of Rose Farm Orchard cider is now available for purchase by contacting Ben Hansford. It is also available at Good Intent’s Cidery in Bellefonte, PA and on their website. A portion of all Rose Farm Orchard sales are donated to the Seedling to Cider project. “It is rewarding to see how far we’ve come in three years,” said Redding. “As a Gettysburg native, it’s important to me that the Gettysburg National Military Park is preserved for future generations and I’m glad our cider can contribute to that effort.”
You can stay up to date with the RECRUITS on Instagram @gburgrecruit.