Steward Spotlight: Kathryn Beauchaine & the Tri-Faith Initiative

Today we would like to introduce a new blog series, “Steward Spotlight.”  Stewards are volunteers who take the lead on caring for their local orchards. They are the backbone of The Giving Grove program. Thanks to their dedication, Giving Grove little orchards continue to help feed the hungry, improve the environment, and foster friendship and community. 

Photo courtesy of Tri-Faith Initiative

Photo courtesy of Tri-Faith Initiative

To kick off this series of spotlights, we would like to introduce you to Kathryn Beauchaine and The Tri-Faith Initiative from Giving Grove affiliate The Big Garden, in Omaha. Tri-Faith Initiative is a truly unique organization. It brings together a synagogue, church, mosque, and interfaith permanent residences on a 38-acre campus. Together, the organizations host a community garden and a Giving Grove orchard. The vegetables, herbs, and fruit are donated to several agencies around Omaha throughout the week, and once a month, the church on the campus hosts a food pantry.

Kathryn notes that the teamwork needed to build and maintain the orchard has brought members of all the Tri-Faith organizations together in a beautiful way. “[The orchard] has brought our community closer, grown relationships, and fostered cooperation across faith groups. The orchard is a beautiful place thanks to the work of many people, including our local Giving Grove consultant, Erin Higgins. The orchard has given us a new appreciation of and respect for fruit and fruit production. We are learning a great deal about how to care for the trees, watering and nutrition needs, and pests. We are learning to practice patience. Fruit production is a slow dance.”

Photo courtesy of TriFaith.org

“I love where [our orchard] is, what it is, and what it will be. The orchard is on a hillside that slopes to a creek, called Hell Creek. There is a circular walking bridge over the creek from which the orchard can be seen. The bridge forms a connection on the Tri-Faith campus that links the synagogue, mosque and church, and now the Tri-Faith building. The orchard has many pollinator plantings and grasses that enhance the setting. It is a peaceful and lovely place.”

We are inspired by the story of community and acceptance at the Tri-Faith Initiative. Their participation in our amazing network of stewards is an honor. Thank you to Kathryn and The Big Garden for sharing this story with us!