Who We Are
My name is Jakob Sikais and I enjoy the process of urban foraging. It all started when I discovered a wild lemon tree in the local nature reserve, and started collecting fresh organic lemons for the household. Because of nature providing in abundance, we are able to drink lemon water for breakfast on a daily basis, and add lemons to our salads and marinades... as opposed to paying $7 for 4 organic lemons (which is what it costs at the local grocery store). Now all it costs is a short walk (which I would take anyway) to collect some lemons and bring them home to share.
[Image: The lemon tree that inspired my quest of freeing the fruit for all beings of this planet.]
Our Project
This got me thinking: why limit myself and others to just lemons? After all, there are apps that encourage urban foraging. You simply login and they will allow you to discover publicly available fruit trees in your local area that you can harvest. The only problem being that my current local area is lacking in publicly available fruit trees ready for harvest. Thus I am planting them :)
[Image: The Buddha achieved enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi Tree, which is a type of fig tree, back in 528BCE... coincidentally it happens to be the first Free The Fruit planting...]
Why It Matters
Fruit trees provide oxygen for us to breathe, as well as highly nutritious and healthy food for us to eat. By planting, and encouraging others to plant fruit trees, we are promoting local food security and allowing communities to not only share in natures bounty, but to also educate one another on where our food comes from. Planting our own food trees allows us to discover many rare and exciting fruits that are not available in grocery stores, as well as giving people access to highly sought after organic produce which may be too expensive for some to access.
[Image: So I replaced a tree sign someone had on their nature strip with a Caramel Fruit Tree... For all they know it was the council answering their prayers ;) Life Is Beautiful! #freethefruit]
How You Can Help
I've already started the process by planting a heirloom fig tree and a caramel fruit tree in honour of my Dad as a father's day present. I have other (both standard and exotic) plantings planned in the coming days, weeks, months, and possibly even years ahead. The plan is to plant fruit trees on the stealth wherever I go. Since I am currently living on the Gold Coast, this is where I will plant a number of fruit trees for humans and animals to share for the years to come.
[Image: The beginnings of a healthy PawPaw tree to be shared with the local Sasquatch.]
So You May Do The Following:
1. Donate to this campaign;
2. Plant your own fruit trees;
3. Share this campaign with others;
4. All of the above (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) !!!
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