In this month’s blog, we’re sharing a glimpse into Camp Giving Grove, our annual National Affiliate Conference that brings together orchard leaders from across the country. More than just a conference, it feels like summer camp, a place where people connect, learn from each other, and get inspired. This year’s gathering took place in Seattle, where over 35 leaders came together to tour orchards, share ideas, and strengthen the work we do in communities nationwide.
Read MoreMeet a Memphis-based orchardist with The Giving Grove and The Works, Inc., whose journey from foraging mulberries in Pittsburgh to planting fruit trees in Memphis reflects the deep connection between food, community, and land. Discover how one mulberry tree inspired her lifelong commitment to urban orchards and community stewardship.
Read MoreThis month, we’re highlighting Longfellow Farm, a Giving Grove orchard supported by Kansas City Community Gardens and grassroots community garden tucked into a Kansas City neighborhood. In this conversation with founder Ami Freeberg, we explore how a once-vacant lot became a thriving space for food, family, and connection. All powered by neighbors who show up, dig in, and share what grows.
Read MoreThis blog traces the winding path that led Ryan from law offices in Brooklyn to the cider-rich hills of the Catskills - and ultimately to his role in helping communities across the nation grow their own edible legacies.
Read MoreImagine walking up to a single tree and picking peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots—all from different branches. Sounds magical, right? But it’s real! It’s thanks to an old but simple farming trick called grafting.
Read MoreSpring is here, and so are the bugs. Some of them will chew holes in your cabbage. Some will sip nectar and mind their own beeswax. And some, dear gardener, will go to battle for you. In this guest blog, Sarah Sikich shares how to roll out the red carpet for the bugs that have your back.
Read MoreAt The Giving Grove, we believe strong partnerships drive lasting change. When nonprofits and businesses collaborate, they amplify their impact on sustainability and community vitality. Through our nationwide network of orchards and food forests, we’ve seen how teamwork transforms neighborhoods, improves food access, and benefits the environment. In this post, we’ll explore corporate partnership models and how businesses can help create a greener, more sustainable future.
Read MoreIn communities that have experienced historical disinvestment and hardship, every step toward revitalization becomes a moment of hope and renewal. One of the most powerful ways to transform a space and build community is through collaborative artistic projects, such as mural painting.
Read MoreWe’re thrilled to announce that Project Pando has officially joined The Giving Grove National Network! This partnership in North Carolina marks an important step in expanding our mission, and we’re eager to get started. Beginning in Spring 2025, we will work together to plant over 200 small community orchards across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, providing free, fresh food to neighborhoods in need while helping people reconnect with nature.
Read MoreFind out why The Giving Grove recommends cloth grow bags like Smart Pots for Giving Grove nurseries!
Read MoreRyan Watson, Giving Grove National Orchard Operations & Education Manager, shares his journey from legal aide to apple farmer.
Read MoreOutgoing Giving Grove board member Gordon Braun reflects on his decade of service with The Giving Grove.
Read MoreNashville Food Project becomes a Giving Grove national affiliate.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to present a guest blog post from Ilyse Putz, Giving Grove Program Manager at Grow North Texas, on biodiversity in urban spaces, exploring the transformative potential of urban orchards. In this insightful piece, Ilyse reflects on her upbringing amidst monoculture farming in the Midwest and the pressing need to cultivate biodiversity in both rural and urban settings. By discussing the role of urban orchards, particularly those managed by The Giving Grove, Ilyse highlights how these green spaces can enhance biodiversity, support diverse ecosystems, and offer cultural significance to local communities. Dive into this post to discover how urban orchards can serve as vital biodiversity havens in our increasingly fragmented landscapes.
Read MoreWhat do a rock concert, a childhood tree fort, and a major career shift have in common? This reflective piece explores the journey from a fast-paced career in entertainment to a more grounded life in urban reforestation. Through personal stories and pivotal moments, it highlights the importance of reconnecting with purpose, community, and the natural world.
Read MoreGuest Blog Post from Giving Grove affiliate Tree Pittsburgh with practical information on planting a food forest using permaculture techniques.
Read MoreThe Giving Grove is thrilled to introduce a rejuvenating practice that combines the beauty of nature with the abundance of our urban orchards: Food Forest Bathing. This unique experience allows you to soak in the tranquility and health benefits of nature, even in the midst of bustling city life.
Read MoreA recent study out of the University of Michigan has thrown cold water on these thriving local food systems, claiming urban agriculture's carbon footprint is six times bigger than conventional farming. Before we uproot our city-grown dreams, let's delve deeper, past the sensational headlines, and look at the cracks in this research.
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