When Rebecca Koop saw an abandoned lot beside her pottery studio in Kansas City’s Northeast neighborhood, she imagined more than rubble and weeds. She envisioned a place where neighbors could grow food, plant trees, and gather together. Today that vision has blossomed into the St. John Community Garden and orchard, a testament to Rebecca’s lifelong commitment to art, gardening, and community.
Read MoreTrees do far more than provide food or shade—they nurture our health, strengthen our communities, and shape the way we connect with one another. In this post, Ashley Vernon Williamson, the Co-Executive Director of Giving Grove reflests on the magic of trees from childhood to her work with Giving Grove, and shares compelling research from Dr. Geof Donovan that reveals just how deeply trees impact public health and community resilience.
Read MoreDetroit’s urban landscape is full of reinvention, from vacant lots turned gardens to neighbors growing community. The Urban Fruit Brigade builds on that spirit, teaching Detroiters how to care for fruit trees while strengthening the city’s food network. What began as a small volunteer effort has grown into a citywide movement of learning, teamwork, and growth.
Read MoreFood forests are gaining momentum as a resilient, community-centered way to grow food while restoring ecosystems—but for many growers, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why Katherine Favor of The Giving Grove National Orchard Advisory Committee, in partnership with leading agroforestry organizations, has developed new resources to help communities plan, design, and manage thriving forest gardens tailored to their unique sites and needs.
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 MoreIn 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 MoreNashville Food Project becomes a Giving Grove national affiliate.
Read MoreGiving Grove’s youngest orchard steward explains in his own words why planting trees is important!
Read MoreThe 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.
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 MoreThe 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.”
Read MoreGabriella 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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