The Johnny Appleseed Society supports the Johnny Appleseed program at Urbana University and the Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum. They promote the ideals by which Johnny Appleseed lived and to memorialize the many roles he played in the development of the Northwest Territory. The Center holds the
largest collection of memorabilia and written information about the life of John “Appleseed” Chapman known to exist in the world. The collection has been used by Appleseed scholars for research and also serves as a clearinghouse of information.

The programs sponsored by the Johnny Appleseed Society are intended to make history and good character traits “accessible” to children through the medium of the folk hero Johnny Appleseed and his legacy. They are also designed to support elementary educators who are finding that one of the best ways to influence their student’s positive development is to combine their course work with character education, such as the traits found in Johnny Appleseed of self-reliance, community service, integrity, environmentalism, honesty, good citizenship and loyalty.