Over 80 varieties of antique apples from the mid-1800s have been identified in Sleeping Bear. Thirteen remnant orchards remain in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District alone, as an integral part of the agricultural landscape. Efforts to preserve the varieties before they become extinct has involved park workshops in pruning, grafting, and planting, with the Leelanau Conservation District, and funding by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. A nursery at the Kelderhouse farm is the hub of the effort. In 2019, about 34 grafted trees were moved from the nursery into the Kelderhouse orchard. And in 2022, saplings were moved to the Dechow Farm restoring the landscape to look similar to this historic photo. Volunteer watering efforts led by national park Volunteer Coordinator Matt Mohrman take a great deal of effort and time. Time to fill a large water tank, then tow it with personal vehicles to the orchards. To make this project easier, the park has asked us to fund an agricultural well and irrigation line this year. Your gift can help!