Janett Lewis, a steward of the GROW Spanish Lake little orchard in St. Louis, MO, genuinely understands the importance of permaculture in the fight against food insecurity. As a community organizer and urban farmer, Janett spends most of her time at her farm, Rustic Roots Sanctuary, tending to her goats, chickens, a rabbit, and four beehives.
Read MoreNothing sparks as much excitement and anticipation for Kansas City gardeners as the warmer temperatures and longer days that come in April. Every year we anxiously await the thawing of soil so that we may tenderly plant, care for, and harvest our annual vegetable gardens, enjoying the fruits of our labors for many months of the year. Tomatoes, peppers, greens, and beans are sure to be on your list of veggies this year, but have you considered adding a fruit tree to the mix?
Read MorePublished quarterly, The Serving covers backyard orcharding, fruit tree management, helpful harvest tips, and Giving Grove updates. Thank you for helping make a big impact with little orchards!
Read MoreThis month, The Giving Grove has a special steward and orchard to introduce to readers: Zachary Hoppenstedt with the Johnson County WIC orchard. The WIC orchard is located in Olathe, Kansas, and is part of the Kansas City Community Garden’s Giving Grove program.
Read MoreGuest Blogger, Chris Smyth of The Common Orchard Project, writes about his experience with urban, regenerative agriculture and its importance to a community.
Read MoreYou can do many things to support your little orchard while it rests through the winter months. Here are 5 things you can do for your orchard while it sleeps (and while you stay warm indoors)!
Read MoreThe Giving Grove would like to introduce you to Laura Gatlin! Laura is the steward of the Carondelet Food Patch little orchard in St. Louis, Missouri. This food patch is a community orchard and garden. Volunteers sustainably and inclusively lead it.
Read MoreThe Giving Grove would like to introduce you to Bruce Noble. He is the steward for the Holy Family Community Center's little orchard. The mission of the Holy Family Community Center is to provide free sack lunches and clothing to their poor and homeless neighbors.
Read MoreFall is a wonderful time to plant a fruit tree in a little orchard. This blog shares helpful resources for proper planting of fruit trees in Giving Groves.
Read MoreThe Giving Grove spotlights an extraordinary steward, Tom Simpson, from Kansas City. The stewards of The Giving Grove are an essential part of The Giving Grove organization. It is from their dedication that The Giving Grove is able to help feel the hungry, create beautiful community space, and a sustainable environment.
Read MoreLet us introduce you to our new Community Engagement Coordinator for Kansas City Community Gardens, a Giving Grove affiliate. Mary Jane has a passion for urban farming and agriculture, but fruit tree maintenance is new to her. After attending several Giving Grove summer pruning workshops, she is ready to give you a fresh take on this essential backyard orcharding task.
Read MoreTo 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.
Read MoreTo trap or not to trap, that is the ever present question when it comes to Japanese beetles. The shiny green Japanese beetle was introduced to the northeastern United States from East Asia in the early 1900’s and has made its slow march south and west ever since.
Read MoreTips for backyard orcharding, straight from Giving Grove Orchards! For this segment, learn about Humming Lines to keep birds away from berries and fruit.
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