SeedHeads Podcast
in this episode
In this episode, Steph Benoit is joined by fruit tree grower and orchardist Matt Soltys of The Urban Orchardist to explore the long game of fruit trees, seed saving, and participatory plant breeding. Together they dig into what it really means to grow and breed long-lived perennials like apples, pears, paw paws, and quince -- from seed stratification and grafting, to climate resilience and regional adaptation. Matt shares his vision for a bioregion-wide, community-driven fruit breeding network, explains why diversity matters more than ever in a changing climate, and reflects on how fruit trees carry stories, culture, and connection across generations.
GUEST BIO
Matt Soltys is an orchardist based in Guelph, Ontario. His business The Urban Orchardist specializes in consulting, pruning, grafting, and design services for clients with small orchards, and he operates a nursery featuring organically-grown bare root fruit trees. Matt has a special love for the ways fruit trees and orchards bring people together, and in that spirit he co-organizes an annual Pawpaw Fest, and lends his skills to multiple community orchards.
