American Community Gardening Association 2021 Conference
September 23-26, 2021 in Hampton, VA
The Multiple Benefits of Community Orchards
Presented by Ashley Williamson, The Giving Grove Chief Replication Officer
The Giving Grove is a Kansas City-based organization with a mission to provide healthy calories, strengthen community and improve the urban environment with a nationwide network of sustainable little orchards to dramatically increase access to healthy food. Now in six cities across the nation, The Giving Grove has become a national resource and network. These cities that have joined our aligned-action network have adapted the program to their community’s needs. They now collectively support over 500 community leaders as stewards. Stewards maintain their neighborhood orchards and tend to these assets utilizing holistic methods, continually assisted through local and national educational and supply resources. The Giving Grove has developed a set of best practices, which continues to strengthen existing and future relationships.