Molly Meehan of the Burlington-based Food Not Lawns shows off the rootstock of a soon-to-be apple tree. (Herald / Alex Binzen)

“Grafting lets you plant a whole orchard for free,” announced Randolph native Camden Walters, manager of the budding Randolph Community Orchard, which along with climate-change activism group 350Vermont organized a tree grafting workshop this past weekend.

Some 40 people gathered at the orchard near the Exit 4 interchange, Jim Sardonis’s whales tails in the background, for the chance to graft their own apple and pear trees from stems Walters cut. By the end of the day, the participants were able to take the new trees home.

“You can feel the energy,” said Vanessa Rule of Strafford, 350Vermont’s new lead organizer. “People are really ready to get back out there and start making change.”

Walters described tree grafting as a useful, traditional rural skill. It is a cloning technique that involves cutting a branch from a desirable species of fruit or nut tree in the winter or early spring, and keeping it cool and wet until they can be grafted onto a cut branch of a compatible species.

The workshop focused on grafting onto rootstocks— stems with well-developed root systems of less-productive species in the same genus. Grown for grafting, rootstocks are far cheaper than buying saplings of popular apple or pear varieties, selling for around $3, as opposed to $30.

The other type of grafting, Walters explained, is called branch grafting, when the tips of the branches of unproductive trees are snipped and other species are grafted on. These grafted branches bear fruit in just a few years.

“You could have one apple tree where every branch is a different variety,” he said.

After Walter’s demonstration, it was time for attendees to try it for themselves. With around 30 species to choose from, folks were free to make as many grafted apple and pear trees as they pleased.

The process is fairly simple. Attendees started by slicing down into the rootstock’s stem, then they slotted a sharpened end of a branch of the desired species, known as the scion wood, into the rootstock’s notch, and then sealed the connection by wrapping it in grafting tape. Then the tree is ready to be planted.

Most of the people in attendance were planning to plant their trees at home. Andrew Malaby from Chester left with a dozen apple and pear trees. “I’ll have to ask my wife what to do with them,” he said.

A group of young people traveled down from Burlington to graft trees as part of a group called Food Not Lawns. The organization is the brainchild of 21-year-old Molly Meehan, who explained the initiative to turn underutilized green spaces into edible gardens. She said the group will be planting the grafted saplings around town as well as giving them to homeowners with lawn space.

Cathy Ross of East Wallinford was excited at the prospect of regenerating old orchards.

“It’s free food!” She exclaimed.

The grafting workshop was part of 350Vermont’s ongoing “Rewild Vermont” campaign. Vermont has been losing forest in recent years, explained Jaiel Pulskamp, one of the leaders of the campaign. Rewild Vermont began last fall, and aims to plant tens of thousands of trees in the next two years.

“A large focus is on food systems, and how we can kind of transform our food system and create community orchards, and many food forests around the state for people in need,” said Pulskamp.

This aligns well with Walters’ vision of the Randolph Community Orchard. Walters and his wife, Jessica Taffet, are developing an edible community landscape. Taffet and Walters plan to use the 25 acres to show what regenerative, perennial agriculture can look like.

The workshop was 350Vermont’s first in-person event since lockdowns began last year. Heather Buckner of South Royalton is an organizer of 350Vermont’s MotherUp! Program, and helped put the event together. She said the grafting workshop was very popular, and that they would likely schedule another one in the fall.

Naomi Peduzzi looks for a knife as Noah El-Nabuolsi starts to seal his graft Saturday in Randolph.

“I think people had a great time bringing the trees to life,” Rule said.