Giving Grove’s youngest orchard steward explains in his own words why planting trees is important!
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The history of black farmers is filled with generational stories of fortitude and struggle. In honor of Black History Month, we highlight a few agricultural trailblazers and their contributions to food equity and justice.
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Published 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!
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The langauge we use when speaking about hunger and food equality matters. In this blog, communications manager Sarah Sikich explains the shift from “food desert” to “food apartheid.”
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Gabriella Sonnenschein shares her experience at the Mitzvah Garden KC Giving Grove orchard in Overland Park, Kansas. This orchard is responsible for donating 1,000’s of pounds of fresh produce every year to local food banks and pantries. It is a place for fellowship and memory with a tree dedicated to the shooting victims of the 2014 attack on the Overland Park Jewish community.
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Few metropolitan areas escaped the devastating effects of redlining. Decades later, areas deemed “hazardous” or least desirable (primarily neighborhoods with people of color) are still facing the long-term effects of redlining, such as faulty infrastructure, lack of green space, and limited access to fresh, healthy food. The Giving Grove is committed to helping address these disparities. For that reason, we recently analyzed the location of Giving Grove orchards in relation to neighborhoods impacted by redlining. In this blog, a Giving Grove intern reflects on the findings of this research.
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Today, The Giving Grove would like to introduce to a longtime steward and friend, Ami Freeberg. Ami’s personal and professional life is centered around sustainable and community-driven horticulture. Her Giving Grove orchard is located at the community farm that she established seven years ago, Longfellow Farm.
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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.
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Nothing 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?
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This 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.
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The 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.
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The 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.
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The 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.
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Let 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.
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