Doug Hundley has worked in field grown horticulture for 50 years. He worked for the Avery County Cooperative Extension Center for 25 years, until retiring in 2016. His primary duty was the Avery County IPM Program for Christmas trees. For 21 years he also helped with the Avery Extension Plant Sale. This project led him into the study of old-time apples and the beginning of an Extension heirloom apple project. He was encouraged by many older Avery County farmers with heritage apple trees while visiting their old apple trees and hearing their stories. He was able to locate and document many of the heirloom apples of Avery County.
He contacted and befriended Lee Calhoun, author of ‘Old Southern Apples’. He learned much from Mr. Calhoun, the oldtimers in Avery County and beyond. Doug says, “We’re just passing on the history and work of others.”
Doug helped the ‘Crossnore Communities for Children’ start the Crossnore Heritage Orchard in 2009 and since that time, he has been involved in taking care of the apple trees.
Bill Hoffman has been stewarding the Crossnore Heritage Orchard over the last 8 years. Bill is currently the Avery County Apple Extension Agent, the Plant Sale Coordinator, Community Garden Leader and many other duties. Bill utilizes the CHOrchard for workshops in “Pruning Apple Trees” and other apple tree management subjects.
Meg Hundley, Doug’s wife, retired in 2016 as the Avery County Middle School Librarian. Meg built this website for the Orchard. Our goal is to improve community access to the Crossnore Heritage Orchard using the new website technology, which provides self-guiding tours.” An Orchard Donation Program is in place now for community members to help support these new tools. You can go to “Donate Now” to make a donation.
