"Every apple has its purpose"

Editor’s note: Today’s story is one in a series of monthly contributions from freelance journalists, supported by sponsors who share The Food Section’s goal of showcasing a range of experiences and perspectives. Learn more here about available sponsorship opportunities.

In Cherokee, noquisiyi means star-sky. The word is an ode to the cosmos; a constellation of all that is possible when you understand the interrelated nature of water, plants, and the sky.