Fayetteville Community Orchard Takes Root
Klint Oxford, 5, right, helps friend Aron Shelton, both of Fayetteville, plant fruit trees Thursday to establish the first community orchard in Fayetteville at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center. The project is the result of a collaboration between Ames Orchard & Nursery and the city Parks and Recreation Department.
Monday, February 24, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE — Residents, Parks and Recreation crews and students at the Prism Education Center planted the city's first community orchard last week at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center.
The grove of 12 apple, pear and pecan trees is on the west side of the community center, 240 E. Rock St., next to the Kid Crops Community Garden, which has been used to teach children about planting, harvesting and cooking nutritious food for several years.
At A Glance
Trees
Community members planted 12 apple, pear and pecan trees outside the Yvonne Richardson Community Center this week. Tree varieties are:
Pear
• Korean giant
• Magness
• Maxine
• Potomac
• Shinko Asian
Apple
• Arkansas black
• Williams’ pride
• Pristine
Pecan
• Kanza
• Pawnee
Source: Staff Report
Community orchards are rooted in the idea communal agriculture promotes healthy eating, social interaction and self-reliance in a world where many people are disconnected with where their food comes from.
"We want to provide opportunities for children to learn, to play and to eat -- whatever those needs may be," said Tenisha Gist, center director.
Derek Linn, one of two urban foresters for the city, said Parks and Recreation staff will be available for any technical assistance with the orchard. It's up to volunteers to water and maintain the trees, he added.
"Hopefully this will be an example of what folks can do in other areas," Linn said.
"Someone walking down the road is just as welcome to pick fruit here as anyone else," he said.
The apple and pear trees were donated by Ames Orchard & Nursery, just outside Elkins. The pecan trees were purchased using a $5,000 grant from Keep America Beautiful and the UPS Foundation.
The grant money also will pay for supplies and ongoing maintenance, Linn said.
Guy Ames, owner of Ames Nursery, gave volunteers and schoolchildren several tips for planting trees Thursday. He advised: Dig a hole big enough to contain all of the roots; don't fill the hole with fertilizer and don't pack the soil too firmly, so the roots have room to grow; watering is important for young trees; and mulch helps moderate soil temperature and retain moisture.
Ames said the pear trees should start bearing fruit within two years. The apple trees could take a bit longer to start producing.
"It's going to take people here actively watching, looking and taking care of them," Ames said. "It's like children. It's cool that way."
NW News on 02/24/2014