Apple Project
"Cultivating Growth, Harvesting Opportunities: Patriot Guardens Apple Project - Empowering Heroes in Orchard Innovation"
What is it?
Located on reclaimed post-mine land in Muddlety, WV, the Patriot Guardens Apple Project spans more than 40,000 fruit trees and 100 beehives. This ambitious effort combines sustainable agricultural practices with applied research, offering a living laboratory for innovation in orchard management and soil restoration. In partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the orchard is advancing fruit tree cultivation on challenging terrains.
​
Since its inception in 2016, the project has made remarkable strides. In 2024 alone, the orchard produced over 600 pounds of honey, repurposed tons of chicken manure to regenerate soil, and installed more than 70 miles of trellising. The site serves as a model for turning underutilized land into productive agricultural space while supporting West Virginia’s military and veteran communities.
Supporting Veteran and Military Families
At its core, the Patriot Apple initiative is designed to help veterans and military families start and maintain successful orchards across West Virginia. Through a series of grant-funded projects, the program provides targeted support, education, and market development opportunities for veteran-owned and military family-managed operations. These efforts aim to strengthen local economies and create new pathways for agricultural entrepreneurship.
​
The project focuses on:
-
Establishing and expanding veteran-led orchard operations
-
Creating beekeeping opportunities for veterans
-
Hosting applied research trials in partnership with USDA ARS at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station
Each initiative is rooted in policy goals that align with the broader mission: to equip veterans with the skills, resources, and support needed to succeed in agriculture.
Research and Education in Action
The orchard also plays a vital role in agricultural research. Initial evaluations across several abandoned mine sites identified Muddlety as an ideal location, based on its climate, soil, and accessibility. In May 2016, the first experimental block—comprising 3,000 dwarf-rootstock apple trees—was planted to assess variety performance in West Virginia’s unique environment.
​
In April 2019, the research expanded with the planting of 236 experimental pear, peach, and plum varieties developed by USDA ARS. These cultivars are being evaluated for their adaptability and resilience—offering potential traits such as disease resistance, improved sweetness, and compact growth habits for easier management.
​
This research benefits not only West Virginia growers but also USDA scientists and orchardists across the eastern United States. The site provides invaluable data on insect and disease management, nutrient applications, and orchard performance on marginal soils.
​
Reviving a Fruitful Future
West Virginia was once a leading apple producer in the early 20th century. While fruit production has declined over the decades, the state holds unique advantages in land and water availability—critical resources that are becoming increasingly scarce nationwide.
​
The Patriot Guardens Orchard leverages these natural assets, along with federal and state expertise, to offer a blueprint for revitalizing fruit production in the Mountain State. Through innovative research and veteran-driven leadership, the project is cultivating not only apples but also opportunities for growth.