Johnny Appleseed Makes Cider at Syracuse Elementary

17 years ago I started making cider with Syracuse Elementary 2nd grade. I dress up in period clothing including a pot and an old Cider Press. All the kids drop apples in the press while I do most of the cranking. We talk about why apple cider was important and how Johnny Appleseed shared with all he came in contact with.

I focus on what life was like. I point out if these kids lived when Johnny did, they would all be able to start a fire with flint and steel. The kids are always shocked when they realize there were no video games. I remind them without electricity there were no refrigerators. I then ask them how you kept food around for any length of time. I often get blank stares. We talk about salting and drying food, then I come to why apples and apple cider is important.

I ask them “Have you ever eaten pickles?” “What is it that makes a pickle a pickle?” Out of the entire 2nd grade I may get one or two that answer Vinegar. I ask them, “Where does vinegar come from?” There are few that put it together and answer apple cider. “You’re right!” I respond. Our fore fathers wanted to drink the cider but kept it around to make vinegar. Johnny Appleseed spent his life spreading apple seeds and as a result he was giving our county a way to preserve their food.

I work for a company that allows me to go out and work with kids. U4 knows these kids are our future and it is our responsibility to help them grow. Much like Johnny Appleseed, we do not know the full impact of our efforts, but we know we need to give. We take the investment in our community very seriously. We also enjoy ourselves at the same time.