“You’re planting a physical seed, if you will, you’re planting a physical tree,” he said. “But you’re also planting some not physical seeds that I think will grow just as importantly as that tree that’s growing.”
Vilsack added that some of the trees that will be planted may provide fruit in addition to shade, potentially helping to reduce food deserts where fresh produce has not been available.
“This isn’t just about planting a tree with green leaves,” he said. “This is about planting, in the appropriate areas, apple trees, pear trees, peach trees, and the opportunity, then, for the neighborhood to have access to that fruit.”
This article originally appeared here.
