STEWARDSHIP
STEWARDSHIP
Caring for Trees
Caring for Communities
To sustain a fruit and nut system, we need people to cultivate orchards AND communities. Orchards need love and care, and we need community members to spread the knowledge of stewardship to empower neighbors to sustain their orchards.
Orchard Stewardship and Baltimore
In the 1880’s, over 100 orchards blossomed in Baltimore City. Orchard care was common knowledge and fruit trees were part of the urban landscape. As the city lost orchards due to age and changing priorities, the cultural knowledge associated with fruit trees was lost as well. Many communities have existing legacy trees that have fallen into neglect.
The Baltimore Orchard Project works alongside these communities to recover this knowledge, restore their orchards, and reclaim their spaces.
You can learn more about the history of Baltimore’s orchards in our Fruits of the Past blog series.
Becoming an Orchard Steward
As a Steward you will learn the tips and tricks of caring for an orchard, everything from pruning to building an Orchard House. With your help, a community orchard can ensure its longevity as a neighborhood gem.
The Orchard Stewards Program is a series of workshops. You will work with a Community Orchard, and use your new skills to help manage their fruit trees.
