Calling all volunteers! It's time for our next big volunteer event at GROW Enrichment on Sunday, October 13, when we will be mulching around the trees in our orchard.
Volunteers will get to take home FREE baby plum trees that have started growing alongside our adult plums as an "energy exchange" for helping us!
WHAT VOLUNTEERS WILL DO:
• Spread wood chip mulch, keeping grass and other vegetation away from trees
• Transplanting trees
• Practice agroforestry and permaculture-style farming techniques
• Learn about pruning and pest/disease management in the orchard
• Learn companion planting and planting for the benefit of native pollinators
At GROW, we are building the city’s first permaculture park space. This means we are creating an urban farming space where woodlands are maximized, and food systems are integrated throughout the space we manage. It’s our goal to demonstrate sustainable urban food cultivation practices that maximize space, improve soils, and conserve resources such as water.
Located on a 3-acre area of parks land adjacent to Two Rivers Middle School, the Silvopasture demonstrates intensive orchard farming in which trees and animals are raised together in a beneficial relationship. Ultimately, this orchard will address a larger community need for food security as we continue to grow this public space.
NEED-TO-KNOWS:
• There is no running water or electricity at GROW. Volunteers should bring their own water bottles and charge their phones before arrival. Volunteers should also wear protective clothing appropriate for outdoor work including pants to protect legs, closed-toed shoes, breathable layered shirts for comfort in outdoor weather and protection from sun/brambles/stinging insects.
• There is no shelter from severe weather at GROW. In the event of severe weather on a scheduled workday (lightning, impending severe thunderstorm, or tornado watch/advisory) this event will be cancelled.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
ALL park visitors will benefit from increased access to sustainable food resources through the development of this public orchard. Also, the silvopasture ecosystem functions as an intensive ecology classroom for area students from April – October each year. On behalf of all the visitors, we want to thank you for giving your time to create this unique “community classroom” to ins to work, we can benefit from a love of nature in the next generation!