Dr. Kari Anne Peter is a tree fruit pathologist at Penn State University, serving both Pennsylvania and Maryland through the Mid-Atlantic Fruit Consortium. Based at the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA, she specializes in managing diseases affecting apple and other tree fruits. Her research focuses on integrated disease management, including the development of rapid diagnostic tools for pathogen resistance and strategies to mitigate pre- and post-harvest diseases. Dr. Peter is committed to advancing sustainable orchard practices and enhancing the resilience of fruit crops through applied research and extension education programs.

Christie J. Higginbottom brings decades of expertise in historic horticulture and garden interpretation. Since 1981, she has worked as a costumed interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village, where she coordinated the historic horticulture program from 1984 to 2004. Christie writes and consults extensively on historic gardens, antique plants, and traditional herb use, and she teaches widely at museums, historic sites, garden clubs, historical societies, colleges, and libraries including Bay Path Regional Vocational High School, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, and the Northeast Organic Farmers Association.

Steve Garwood Co-founder and head cidermaker of Ragged Hill Cider in West Brookfield, MA, Steve Garwood helped transform a former orchard into a thriving cidery rooted in local fruit and sustainable practices. With a background in orchard management and cider production, he oversees every step from planting to pouring. Anne Garwood Hampp Anne Garwood Hampp co-owns Ragged Hill Cider with her father, leading its sales, marketing, and public outreach. After a decade in San Francisco’s hospitality scene, she returned home to help grow the family orchard and craft ciders that reflect the land’s character.

Dr. Todd Little-Siebold is a professor of history at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in anthropology and history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his Ph.D. in Latin American history from Tulane University. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Little-Siebold has been instrumental in the study and preservation of Maine’s heirloom apple varieties. He leads the COA Maine Apple Lab, which combines historical research with genomic profiling to document and conserve rare apple cultivars. This interdisciplinary approach has led to significant discoveries, including the identification of one of North America’s oldest apple trees.

Skylar Bodeo-Lomicky is a Ph.D. candidate at the College of the Atlantic, specializing in the biochemistry of heirloom apples. Her research focuses on understanding how chemical compounds influence the flavor profiles of historic apple cultivars. Through her work, Skylar aims to bridge the gap between scientific analysis and sensory experience, providing insights into the unique tastes of America’s oldest apples. Her studies contribute to the broader field of pomology and offer valuable perspectives on the preservation and appreciation of heirloom fruit varieties.

John Bunker is a renowned orchardist, pomologist, and passionate advocate for the preservation of Maine’s apple heritage. A self-taught expert, he has dedicated over 40 years to locating, identifying, and conserving rare and historic apple varieties across the state. In 1984, he co-founded Fedco Trees, a mail-order nursery specializing in heirloom fruit trees. In 2012, Bunker established the Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity, a 10-acre educational orchard dedicated to preserving over 500 apple and pear varieties from all 16 Maine counties. Known as Maine’s “Apple Whisperer,” his work has been instrumental in cataloging and propagating Maine’s diverse apple cultivars.

Leslie Duthie is a seasoned ecological horticulturist with over 45 years of experience in native plant cultivation, ecological restoration, and environmental stewardship. At New England Botanic Garden, Leslie plays a crucial role as a volunteer, focusing on the restoration and maintenance of the Frank L. Harrington Sr. Orchard. Her dedication to preserving heirloom apple varieties and ensuring the orchard’s health and sustainability underscores her expertise and passion for ecological horticulture. Leslie also shares her knowledge through educational programs, teaching topics such as native ferns, wildflowers, and seed collection techniques, and actively participates in initiatives aimed at promoting ecological landscaping practices.