"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today"- Chinese proverb
The Open Orchard Project connects communities through fruits and the planting of fruit trees in public places. These trees provide free fruit to local residents and greenery to our urban environments. Open Orchard started in London, England but the idea is just as relevant elsewhere so we love to see Open Orchard groups start up and plant fruit trees on public land across many more cities.
The environmental effects of planting trees takes time. A newly planted tree will offer some extra pollination opportunities and absorb a small amount of carbon dioxide and additional rainwater that might have gone into drains, however year on year, these positive effects increase as the tree grows.
Since the fruit trees are planted on public land it is necessary to have buy-in from the local council, but for the project to really be sustainable, engaged communities need to act as the custodians of the trees. The project can give neighbours the opportunity to meet properly for the first time, while working towards a common goal with a sense of purpose. In many areas, especially urban ones, this can be very important. Even if neighburs move away from the area the trees will live for 20-30 years - and remain a shared connection and legacy.
The fruit harvested from the trees can provide the community with a new source of fresh food. It can be eaten raw or used to produce other products (which in years to come could be an opportunity for a social business).
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today"- Chinese proverb
The Open Orchard Project connects communities through fruits and the planting of fruit trees in public places. These trees provide free fruit to local residents and greenery to our urban environments. Open Orchard started in London, England but the idea is just as relevant elsewhere so we love to see Open Orchard groups start up and plant fruit trees on public land across many more cities.
The environmental effects of planting trees takes time. A newly planted tree will offer some extra pollination opportunities and absorb a small amount of carbon dioxide and additional rainwater that might have gone into drains, however year on year, these positive effects increase as the tree grows.
Since the fruit trees are planted on public land it is necessary to have buy-in from the local council, but for the project to really be sustainable, engaged communities need to act as the custodians of the trees. The project can give neighbours the opportunity to meet properly for the first time, while working towards a common goal with a sense of purpose. In many areas, especially urban ones, this can be very important. Even if neighburs move away from the area the trees will live for 20-30 years - and remain a shared connection and legacy.
The fruit harvested from the trees can provide the community with a new source of fresh food. It can be eaten raw or used to produce other products (which in years to come could be an opportunity for a social business).
Planting Fruit Trees of Life. #ServiceBerry
Thank you, Microsoft and ChangeX for helping us to create healing spaces and grow healing foods/fruits for our community during these stressful and uncertain times.
We Be Growing.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Planting Fruit Trees of Life. #PawPaw #AmericanPlum #ServiceBerry
Thank you, Microsoft and ChangeX for helping us to create healing spaces and grow healing foods/fruits for our community during these stressful and uncertain times.
We Be Growing.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Planting Fruit Trees of Life. #PeachTree
Thank you, Microsoft and ChangeX for helping us to create healing spaces and grow healing foods/fruits for our community during these stressful and uncertain times.
We Be Growing.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Planting Fruit Trees of Life. #PeachTree
Thank you, Microsoft and ChangeX for helping us to create healing spaces and grow healing foods/fruits for our community during these stressful and uncertain times.
We Be Growing.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS⛺️ #OhWhatANight
Glamping in the garden.
Redefining how we Southside...
Whiteness breaks down but, we build Black Up✊🏾
In Service for a greater good.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Pearl BlackPearl
Come-Unity Joy Garden Director/Mentor
ChicaGlow Performance Art Troupe
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Support Black Gardeners
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS⛺️ #OhWhatANight
Glamping in the garden.
Redefining how we Southside...
Whiteness breaks down but, we build Black Up✊🏾
In Service for a greater good.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Pearl BlackPearl
Come-Unity Joy Garden Director/Mentor
ChicaGlow Performance Art Troupe
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Support Black Gardeners
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS⛺️ #OhWhatANight
Glamping in the garden.
Redefining how we Southside...
Whiteness breaks down but, we build Black Up✊🏾
In Service for a greater good.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Pearl BlackPearl
Come-Unity Joy Garden Director/Mentor
ChicaGlow Performance Art Troupe
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Support Black Gardeners
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS⛺️ #OhWhatANight
Glamping in the garden.
Redefining how we Southside...
Whiteness breaks down but, we build Black Up✊🏾
In Service for a greater good.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Pearl BlackPearl
Come-Unity Joy Garden Director/Mentor
ChicaGlow Performance Art Troupe
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Support Black Gardeners
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS⛺️ #OhWhatANight
Glamping in the garden.
Redefining how we Southside...
Whiteness breaks down but, we build Black Up✊🏾
In Service for a greater good.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Pearl BlackPearl
Come-Unity Joy Garden Director/Mentor
ChicaGlow Performance Art Troupe
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Support Black Gardeners
Come-Unity Joy Garden Moments 🌱
#TreesOfLife
Thank you, #Microsoft and #ChangeX 🙏🏾
COME-UNITY JOY GARDEN MOMENTS🌱
Thank you, #Microsoft and #ChangeX 😃
When I began, my plans for Summer 2022 were similar to the last 2 years but, I noticed straight away that the environment was different because the people were different. The community has changed drastically. The pandemic has changed the way that we community and those needs are now critical. It's a state of emergency and those that are allocating our tax dollars are NOT listening.
I found that I had to adjust and listen more intently. The need to boost morale, give hope, engage, build, strengthen has shifted in terms of community engagement and how we encourage and empower people. Homelessness has increased, substance abuse is higher, mental unwellness has been exacerbated and the trees of life are now the people.
I've hosted numerous events around food scarcity to feed people, provide resources, make phone calls, advocate and spend countless hours helping to redirect anxiety. It's confounding and at times overwhelming but, gardens, orchards and the arts are providing a necessary remedy to a widening chasm of despair.
We are training Youth to Teach Gardening, teaching food as medicine, teaching recipes for healthier alternatives and getting down and dirty in the soil. The soil actually has healing and calming properties, as well.
This orchard initiative has allowed us to be more active and listen in ways that might have offered more judgment than compassion. More Artists are filling the space and giving vision to the importance of service.
We've trained more than 30 children and 50 Youth this Summer. We've expanded the garden and have cut down a fence that's been a hazard and nuisance the last 4 years. We were able to purchase more equipment, started our performance Art Troupe, ChicaGlow, created more solid community partnerships and have become a Pillar of Hope for our community.
We diggin to make room...
Thanks, Neighbor😃
The fruit of our labor. Thank you, #Microsoft and #ChangeX for creating opportunities to access Hope.
Come-Unity Joy Garden News🌱
Thank you, Microsoft and ChangeX for helping us to create healing spaces and grow healing foods/fruits for our community during these stressful and uncertain times.
We Be Growing.
#Microsoft #ChangeX
Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱
THANKS #Microsoft #ChangeX for partnering with us to create indelible memories, Southside Chicago. We're getting orchard ready.
Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities