From KC to UK: Giving Grove Staffer Visits London-based Urban Orcharding Organization
Urban orchards have the power to connect communities across cities and countries. Over the holidays, Sarah Sikich, The Giving Grove's Director of Marketing & Communications, traveled to the United Kingdom and had the opportunity to visit The Orchard Project, a leading urban orcharding organization. In this blog, Sarah shares how her visit highlighted the shared mission of both organizations—to strengthen communities, promote food security, and foster environmental stewardship.
Contributed by Sarah Sikich, Director of Marketing & Communications
Building Global Connections Through Urban Orchards
Over the holidays, I had the privilege of traveling to the United Kingdom, where I checked several items off my UK bucket list, including a visit with The Orchard Project. Spending a morning with The Orchard Project’s CEO and their London Project Manager was not just enlightening—it was a profound reminder of the global potential of urban orcharding. During our time together, I reflected on the parallels and distinctions between The Orchard Project and The Giving Grove, as well as the promising opportunities this international connection holds for the future.
“These discoveries serve as poignant reminders of how orchards, regardless of location, can symbolize healing, growth, and the enduring spirit of the communities they serve.”
Shared Values, Unique Approaches
The Orchard Project’s mission to plant and nurture community orchards in urban spaces aligns closely with the work we do at The Giving Grove in the United States. Both organizations are rooted in the belief that orchards are more than just trees—they are catalysts for community building, food security, and environmental restoration. By fostering deeper connections between people and nature, orchards become spaces where communities grow stronger together.
Yet, as I joined The Orchard Project team on an orchard visit, the differences shaped by geography and history became strikingly evident. In the U.S., digging into urban soil often reveals concrete, asphalt, and construction debris—remnants of rapid development and urban sprawl. By contrast, UK soils frequently unearth fragments of history, such as artifacts from World War II. Each unearthed object tells its own story of resilience and transformation. These discoveries serve as poignant reminders of how orchards, regardless of location, can symbolize healing, growth, and the enduring spirit of the communities they serve.
Learning and Sharing Across Borders
My visit wasn’t just about exchanging ideas—it was a first step in building a relationship with a sister organization. I was inspired by The Orchard Project’s innovative approaches to community engagement and orchard care. Their techniques, honed by years of working within densely populated urban environments, offer valuable lessons that we hope to adapt to our programs in the U.S.
“Imagine creating a transatlantic network of orchard enthusiasts, where best practices, stories, and successes are shared across borders.”
In turn, I shared stories from The Giving Grove.
I spoke of planting orchards in schoolyards, collaborating with cities to reimagine public spaces, and engaging local communities to ensure orchards thrive. These stories resonated with The Orchard Project team, emphasizing our shared vision for using orchards as tools for positive change.
A Vision for Collaboration
Looking ahead, I am energized by the possibilities for collaboration between The Giving Grove and The Orchard Project. By combining our knowledge, experiences, and resources, we can amplify the impact of urban orcharding on a global scale. Imagine creating a transatlantic network of orchard enthusiasts, where best practices, stories, and successes are shared across borders.
Together, we could:
Develop new techniques for orchard maintenance tailored to diverse climates and urban landscapes.
Share community engagement strategies to better connect people with their local orchards.
Launch joint initiatives that highlight the cultural and environmental significance of urban orchards.
This connection also highlights the importance of learning from others. By working together, we can strengthen the global urban orcharding movement and inspire others to plant the seeds of change in their own communities.
“Orchards have the power to bring people together, regardless of where they
are planted.”
Orchards Without Borders
My time with The Orchard Project was a beautiful reminder of the global impact of urban orchards. Despite differences in history, geography, and soil composition, our shared commitment to creating greener, more connected communities transcends borders. Orchards have the power to bring people together, regardless of where they are planted. They remind us of our shared humanity and the collective responsibility we hold to care for our environment and one another.
As The Giving Grove and The Orchard Project explore ways to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you! What questions do you have about our friends abroad? What ideas do you have for fostering international partnerships in urban orcharding? Your insights and curiosity can help shape the future of this
exciting collaboration.
Growing Together
The Giving Grove’s journey with The Orchard Project is just beginning, but the potential is limitless. By working hand-in-hand with like-minded organizations across the globe, we can create a network of thriving urban orchards that not only provide fresh fruit but also inspire resilience, foster connections, and promote environmental stewardship. Together, we can grow something truly remarkable.