2014 Annual Report

t h e B l o o m i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y o r c h a r d

info@Bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org | www.Bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org

The Orchard Site2120 South Highland AvenueBloomington, Indiana 47401

Our Mailing AddressP.O. Box 2298

Bloomington, Indiana 47402

The Juicy Details

t h e B l o o m i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y o r c h a r d

www.Bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org

Our Mission, Vision and Ethos

The Board of Directors

A Note from the Chair

2014 Accomplishments

Stories from the Community

Artistic Expressions from a Fellow Orchardista

2014 Financial Report

Meet Our Generous Supporters

Our Annual Commitments to the Community

Looking Forward: 5 Years and Growing!

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

“The Bloomington Community Orchard is a magical place to be. A welcoming place for all ages where people can come to learn how-to plant, grow and care for trees, plants, herbs and each other. Its abundance is immense, not only in the sense of a growing harvest but also as a public space offering nourishment through togetherness, hard work, education, generosity, beauty, laughter and love! Each time I leave the Orchard, I am left feeling revitalized and a part of a larger, shared, amazing community resource! Thank you to the dedicated Orchard leaders and volunteers for this gem that adds a bright light of

goodness in our community.”

- Lisa-Marie Napoli Community Member and Mom; Lecturer in Political and Civic Engagement at IU

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

The Orchard’s Values

MissionTo Dream, Build, and Share an Orchard Community

VisionTo inspire communities to cultivate thriving systems of sharing and growing fruit

EthosWe hope when you engage with the BCO, you remember that it is YOUR community orchard. We hope you stay mindful of the work that has been done, and that you feel welcome to explore, ask questions and join us in the wonderful experience of being in the Orchard!

Here we are working toward the shared DREAM of a sustainable, community-oriented and cooperative organization with direct, tangible benefits to the Bloomington community and beyond. “We” are a wel-coming group of volunteers, working with team and committee leaders, the Board of Directors, donors, organizational partners and hopefully, you!

Goals and ImpactThe Bloomington Community Orchard prioritizes proactive, restorative growing practices and hands-on learning in the Orchard site. We apply organic principles and strive to maximize resources, while BUILD-ing the knowledge and experience of the community, establishing mutually beneficial relationships be-tween orchard ecosystems and the people who interact with them.

How We WorkWe accomplish these goals through collaborative and coordinated action. We consider the Orchard a Commons- a SHAREd space for individual participation within the cooperative community. We believe that growing, whether by plant or by person, is a shared process. This means that we focus on group-ori-ented problem-solving, open discussion, and continual learning.

We value everyone’s contribution to this enterprise! We have a dedicated Board of Directors who volun-teer their time to keep our work aligned with our mission and provide strategic governance and develop-ment. Their direction informs every aspect of our operations, while supporting continual development of the Bloomington Community Orchard’s programs, organization and leadership.

(continued on next page)

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

The Orchard’s Values (continued) Our Values: Empowerment: We foster joy, common ownership, and responsibility for food security and social justice through the sharing of communal skills and space.

Collaboration: We cultivate diverse relationships that enrich the Orchard and expand the knowledge, connections, and influence beyond its physical space.

Stewardship: We promote the mutually beneficial relationship between the Orchard ecosystem and the health of the community.

Learning: We engage in the exchange of knowledge and experience through both formal and informal education and community interactions.

Sustainability: We advocate for community-supported, proactive, and restorative practices to ensure thriving relationships among people, food, and the environment.

Impact: We support individual efforts to grow resilient communities and effect systemic change.

Trust: We celebrate relationships rooted in open-mindedness, compassion, and generosity.

Get InvolvedIf you have a vision for improvement of any aspect of the organization- get involved! The Bloomington Community Orchard is comprised of teams and committees: Education, Communications, Outreach, Operations, Finance, Governance and Development. Whether you want to put your favorite skills to work or learn something new, there’s a place for you.

Contact us at GetInvolved@BloomingtonCommunityOrchard.org

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Board of Directors2014 Board of Directors

Amy Roche, ChairJosh David, Vice-ChairMegan Betz, Secretary

Jon Jackson, TreasurerKatherine Zilvinskis

Sarah RyterbandStephen Hale

Theresa Meyers

Board of Directors2015 Board of Directors

Amy Roche, ChairJosh David, Vice-Chair

Sarah Mihich, SecretarySarah Ryterband, Treasurer

Dani AnsaldoEaron DavisJon Jackson

Justin Pikramenos Katherine Zilvinskis Ross Gay

Stephen Hale Teresa Dunn

Tyler Ewigleben

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

“When a child pushes a shovel head into the dirt, making space for the root ball of a peach tree, in a community garden, in the center of a public housing project--in that

moment, the world becomes a kinder place.”

- Kayte YoungNutrition Coordinator at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

A Note from the ChairMy Dear Orchard Friends,

Head Start children sampling fruits they had never seen before, crowds sipping mugs of fresh-pressed warm cider as leaves fell around them, neighbors planting new saplings that will one day bear harvest for their whole neighborhood to share—these are some of our many treasured moments from 2014.

From organizing community events to building local partnerships, holding educational workshops, nurturing trees, turning compost and pulling weeds—the Bloomington Community Orchard has been a labor of love for everyone involved since its beginnings five years ago.

Here is a glimpse at some of the remarkable accomplishments in 2014:

• Partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide free fruit trees and berry bushes to new home-owners. In the fall, the Orchard also partnered with the Evergreen Village neighbors in the debut planting of the BCO’s Neighborhood Orchards Program.

• Supporting grass roots food security by working with local organizations including Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and by combining tree planting demonstration events with grant funding to give away dozens of fruit trees to individuals and agencies across the community—ensuring that the fruits of the BCO’s labor will journey from trees to the tables of local families who need it most.

• Youth Programming—Begun in 2013, the Junior Stewards program sprouted new shoots this year under the leadership of dedicated volunteers, educating children about growing food as part of a resilient ecosystem.

• Volunteerism continues to be central to the blossoming Orchard, which remains an entirely volunteer-run organization. With record-breaking attendance at workdays, family festivals, and more IU student engagement than ever, the Orchard thrives thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers.

As the BCO approaches its fifth anniversary, I am reminded how greatly the Orchard’s motto—“Free Fruit for All”—is inspired by community members like you who work to make healthful food and a sustainable future accessible to everyone. It is with deep appreciation that I thank long-time supporters and welcome new friends: You make this work possible! If you are new to the Orchard (or simply have not connected in a while), I invite you to join the fun of a Work and Learn Day, attend a BCO-sponsored class (now free of charge!), or put your good will to good use by joining an Orchard team or committee.

I am grateful to the many caring donors, volunteers, and advocates in these budding years of the organization. The gifts you have given with your hands, your hearts, your heads, and your wallets transformed an empty field into a publicly-owned edible park with nearly 100 fruit trees of over 25 cultivars. It is tantalizing to envision the bounty yet to come of this early work!

Yours in fruity fulfillment,

Amy Roche

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

2014 Orchard Accomplishments2014 was an incredible year for the Orchard and the community. Below are some of the many ways that we dreamt, built, and shared our time and resources together, to help make Bloomington a urban agricul-tural paradise:

Neighborhood Orchards ProgramLaunching for its first year, the BCO’s Neighborhood Orchards Program took root in the Evergreen Vil-lage, where dozens of neighbors came together to turn a small plot of public land leading into their cul de sac into an edible right-of-way.

Accident into Opportunity When a car inadvertently crashed into the Orchard’s shed, we had to put site activity on hold, until we could secure the foundations. That time allowed us the perfect opportunity to reevaluate the site design, and decide that if we moved the shed westward, we could then use that space to build an outdoor class-room. Stay tuned for more juicy details.

Free Classes for the PublicAfter many years of promoting the “food is free” idea, the BCO leaders, in collaboration with the City, wholeheartedly agreed to removing the financial barrier to education, and sponsor our Parks and Recre-ation Community Orcharding Class Series to make it free to community members. So far it’s paid off well--with all of our classes being at maximum capacity.

Partnership Collaborations: Habitat for Humanity: We are now offering free fruit trees and berry bushes to every new Habitat new homeowner, to help create a culture of abundance. In its first year, we were able to plant over twenty trees and shrubs for new homeowners.

Planting for Bill Breeden, Retiring Unitarian Universalist Church Minister: In tribute to his service to the congregation and community, a cherry tree was planted, with an accompanying educational planting demonstration, to celebrate his fruitful legacy.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: Working together, the HUB and BCO have continued our educational partnership, to inspire and empower a more meaningful connection to the community’s food system.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank: Wanting to put the perennial harvest where it’s needed most, BCO and HHFB leaders learned how to plant fruit trees, and started the HHFB’s first Orchard row at Will Detmer Park - something we hope to expand upon each year.

(continued on next page)

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

2014 Orchard Accomplisments (continued)

Lotus Blossoms Bazaar: As one of many Jr. Stewards youth education programs, hundreds of middle-school children discovered math in the patterns in sunflowers, started plants for the orchard and partner gardens, and took home packets of seeds to grow some themselves.

Development of the Junior Stewards Youth Education Program After developing a series of classes and activities for aspiring orchardistas of all ages, the launch of the program brought weekly attendance, from summer to fall, from groups like The Rise Transitional Hous-ing, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc, and many more.

Events and Festivals Gaining MomentumIt’s hard not to get excited about getting together with good people, sharing good food, and celebrating good community in the Orchard space. It’s probably no surprise then that the Harvest Fest, and Cider-Fest all had their largest crowds yet.

Volunteerism, Internship Programs, and BCO-IU After we had record turnout from campus groups in 2013, we felt it was time to launch more initiatives to connect the campus community to the Orchard. In their first years, we had 8 incredible IU interns join our team, and were pleased to announce the robust launch of our new IU student organization: BCO-IU. Keep an eye out for new Orchard plantings on campus this year.

Tree Giveaways Last, but certainly not least, after receiving another generous grant from ACTrees, we were able to contin-ue our now yearly tradition of giving away 75+ fruit trees, to individuals, groups and organizations in the community. It’s with great joy that we plan to expand this initiative in the years to come - to help trans-form edible landscape of Bloomington and the surrounding community.

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

“Our neighborhood is forever thankful to the hard work of the Bloomington Commu-nity Orchard. Because of the BCO, we now have 11 fruit trees growing in our neighbor-

hood garden to feed our families for years to come.”

- Christy True Preschool Teacher at Bloomington Montessori School

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Stories from the CommunityFairborn Daily Herald Newspaper articleFairborn, Ohio, Tuesday, November 18, 2014

A Free Fruit-for-AllAlong with the apples, plums, and figs, community orchards yield common dreaming.by Ross Gay (submitted by Karen Padgett)

I got back from the airport just in time for the last half hour of Cider Fest, one of the Bloomington Community Orchard’s large public events.

This publicly owned and volunteer-run organic orchard occupies a single acre. Entering its fifth year, it has be-come an important part of the Indiana city’s eco-system, to which the over 200 people who attended this year’s Cider Fest are testament.

At this event we mingle apples harvested from the orchard with apples community members bring with them, pouring them into the antique cider press the orchard’s resident beekeeper shares for the day. There’s face painting and just about every kind of apple-themed baked goods you can imagine.

When I was walking toward the gathering, a child bumped into my leg, looked up at me with his face painted like a cat’s, smiled, and ran off after some other kids — half of them clutching ripe apples in their little hands.

It’s easy enough for me to remember this orchard, with its numerous varieties of 100 or so fruit trees (apples, peaches, pears, plums, paw paw, cherries, jujubes, figs, and more) and equal number of fruit bushes, vines, and flowers, as little more than a flat expanse of mowed grass. A few years ago, it was just a dead zone between a park and the road beyond it.

But the community dreamed of an orchard available for

all, where if there were a fence (which there is, for we have deer a’plenty), it would never keep a person out. At this orchard, the beautiful hand-wrought gate has no lock: Everyone’s welcome.

Of course the orchard began — as much as we can say a thing begins — with a young womanthinking about food security, which simply means hav-ing regular access to safe, nutritious food.

Many individuals and communities around the world suffer from a lack of food security, for allkinds of reasons. One is an under-utilization of pro-ductive, food-growing space. In other words, we need to reconsider where gardens and farms and orchards might exist.

Amy Countryman researched the Indiana city’s urban canopy — its managed trees — to find outhow much of it produced food. Less than 2 percent, it turns out. So she suggested we do something about that.

When she approached Bloomington’s forester with her proposal for a free fruit-for-all community orchard from which the harvest would go to whoever needed some, he quickly jumped on board and secured for the project an acre plot of land and some seed money.

Large community meetings followed, committees were formed, and the hard work of building the dream began: remediating the soil, building compost, securing grants, designing the site, selecting trees, and more.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people from the commu-nity and beyond pitched in. This diversecrowd earned blisters and sore backs as they sweated through their shirts to help to build theircollective dream — to help feed their neighbors. Bloom-ington being a city (albeit a small one), most folks don’t know all their neighbors.

This common dreaming, in addition to apples and plums and figs, is the real fruit of this orchard. The orchard is a way for us to imagine how to better care for one another. How better to love one another. One kid over there chomps an apple. Another slurps some cider. Who knew the simple joy our labors and our love could make?

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

“The BCO is an invaluable community and academic resource. The SLP truly appreciates the opportunity the BCO has provided for IUB students to learn first hand about sustainability, food security and community issues. We are touched by the kindness of the staff in welcom-ing IUB students to the Orchard and in accommodating their service-learning experiences.

We look forward to continuing and greatly expanding the relationship between the BCO and service-learning at IUB.”

- Nicole Schönemann Director of the Service-Learning Program in the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Artistic Expressions from a Fellow OrchardistaBurial a poem by Ross Gay

You’re right, you’re right,the fertilizer’s good—it wasn’t a gang of dullardscame up with chuckinga fish in the planting holeor some mid-wife got lucky with the placenta—oh, I’ll plant a tree here!—and a sudden flush of quinceand jam enough for months—yes, the magic dust our bodies become casts spells on the rootsabout which someone not mecould tell you the chemical processes,but it’s just magic to me,which is why a couple springs agowhen first putting in my two bare root plum treesout back I took the jar which has become my father’s house,and lonely for him and hoping to coax him backfor my mother as much as me,poured some of him in the planting holesand he dove in glad for the robust air,saddling a slight gustinto my nose and mouth,chuckling as I coughed,but mostly he disappeared into the minor yawns in the earth into which I placed the trees, splaying wide their roots, casting the grey dust of my old manevenly throughout the hole,replacing then the clods of dense Indiana soil until the roots and my father were buried, watering it in all with one hand while holding the tree with the other straight as the flagto the nation of simple joyof which my father is now a naturalized citizen, waving the flagfrom his subterranean lair,

the roots curled around himlike shawls or jungle gyms, likehookahs or the arms of ancestors,before breast-stroking into the xylem, riding the elevator up through the cambium and into the leaves where, when you put your ear close enough, you can hear him whispergood morning, where, if you close your eyesand push your face you can feelhis stubbly jowls and good lordthis year he was giddy at the firstreal fruit set and nestled into the 30 or 40 plumsin the two trees, peering out from the sweet meatwith his hands pressed against the purple skinlike cathedral glass,and imagine his joy as the sun wizarded forth those abundant sugarsand I plodded barefoot and prayerful at the first ripe plum’s swell and blush,almost weepy conjuring some surely ponderous verse to convey this bottomless grace, you know, oh father oh father kind of stuff, hundreds of hot air balloonsfilling the sky in my chest, replacing his intubated bodylisting like a boat keel side up, replacingthe steady stream of water from the one eye which his brother wiped before removing the tube,keeping his hand on the foreheaduntil the last wind in his body wandered off, while my brother wailed like an animal,and my mother said, weeping, it’s ok, it’s ok, you can go honey, at all of which my fatherguffawed by kicking from the first bitebuckets of juice down my chin,staining one of my two button-down shirts,the salmon colored silk one, hollering there’s more of that! almost dancing now in the plum,in the tree, the way he did as a person,bent over and biting his lipand chucking the one hip outthen the other with his elbows cockedand fists loosely madeand eyes closed and mouth made trumpetwhen he knew he could make you happyjust by being a little sillyand sweet.

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

2014 Financial ReportThe Orchard began 2014 with a fund balance of approximately $13,000. Development efforts, including a fundraiser breakfast and direct mailing campaign, helped raise approximately $6,500 in individual donations during the year. Grant funding resulted in an additional $10,500 of revenue.

Operating costs were 3.7% higher than in fiscal year 2013, due to increased education and outreach activities. Total operating costs were approximately $7,500 for 2014. The Orchard’s largest operating expenses related to education and outreach, which accounted for 65% of total costs in 2014. Insurance continues to be a significant expense, accounting for nearly 18% of total operating costs, while site operations and maintenance were 14% of total costs.

The Orchard fund balance at year end was just short of $23,000, which was favorable to budget expectations.

Bloomington Community OrchardStatement of Activities

years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

2013 2014Income

Grant revenue 2,055 10,540Individual donations 3,963 6,690

Total $6,018 $17,230

ExpensesProgram expenses 5,164 5,840

Management & general 1,698 818Fundraising 247 715

Total $7,109 $7,373

Change in net assets ($1,091) $9,857Net assets, beginning of

year14,112 13,021

Net assets, end of year $13,021 $22,878

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Meet Our Generous SupportersThe BCO is immensely grateful for the many financial supporters who found the Orchard’s activities resonated with their passion to make a difference in their community, and gave back to the community, through the Community Orchard.

Below are some of the many incredible partners who have helped advance the mission, events, programs, and projects of the BCO in 2014:

ACTrees Amy Countryman & Jeff MansfieldBCO VolunteersBloomingfoodsBloomington Bagel CompanyBloomington Environmental CommissionBlue FarmBread & Roses NurseryBrown County CoffeeCity of BloomingtonDiane JungDr. MLK, Jr. Birthday Celebration CommissionEvergreen Village NeighborhoodFreedom Valley FarmGeorge HagemanGreg DeemerHabitat for Humanity of Monroe CountyHarvest Moon HomesteadHeartland Family FarmHilltop Garden and Nature CenterHoosier Hills Food BankHopscotch CoffeeIndiana UniversityIndiana Urban Forest CouncilIU Edible Campus Steering CommitteeIU Office of SustainabilityIvy Tech Culinary SchoolJ.R. Ellington Tree ExpertsKevin Atkins

Kosali SimonLawns for LifeLee HussLiving Roots Eco VillageLotus Education and Arts FoundationLucille BertuccioMary Helen AyresMaster Gardeners’ AssociationMichael LindeauMichael ShermisMichael SimmonsMitch and Eileen RiceMonroe County Public LibraryMonroe County YMCAMother Hubbard’s CupboardMusgrave OrchardsRhodes Family FarmRhonda BairdStewardsSue SgambelluriSue WesthuesSun Circle FarmThe Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy AnalysisTibetan Buddhist Mongolian Cultural CenterUnitarian Universalist Church of BloomingtonVenus LeahVicky Getty

We’d also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the other incredible individuals, groups and organizations that have helped the orchard and community thrive with fruity abundance this past year. We certainly couldn’t do it without you, and we’re constantly honored and inspired to build this Orchard Community together with you.

Thank you!

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

“It was a wonderful experience working with the BCO staff and volunteers to plant our pocket orchard. The BCO started by planting trees, and now, in just a few years, they are

planting orchards and helping to enhance quality of life and local food security. Ever-green Village thanks you!”

- Chad RoederEvergreen Village Neighborhood Resident

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Our Annual Commitments to YouAs we continue to grow as an organization and community, we thought it important to restructure our strategic plan to better convey the value we provide to the community, to allow you to transparently see our mission in action, while finding new ways to inspire the next generation of community orchardistas. What follows are each of our team’s commitments to you and the community. If you see room for yourself in any of them, we encourage you to reach out to us, to discuss how we can match your skills and passions to our sustainable cause, to help realize our shared vision for the future.

Education Offer monthly educational programs at the Orchard site, and out in the community, to teach orcharding skills to both youth and adult audiences. Lead or co-host at least 3 non-agriculture hands-on educational workshops annually, to share useful food and orchard-complementary skills. Develop at least 3 Orchard community leaders annually, to help guide Operations activities, by helping them achieve certification in the Organic Management of Orchards. Expand the public library’s resource section on sustainable orcharding and urban perennial agriculture practices, to empower more home-growers in the community. Expand Jr. Stewards Program, to provide more hands-on youth education activities. Outreach Foster lasting relationships with local food production or distribution organizations, to share our knowledge and resources, and help them establish their own production. Initiate 75 fruit tree plantings annually, on private and public property, and evaluate success. Partner with local organizations to broaden impact of education, events, and plantings. Join local and national sustainable food organizations and associations, to keep updated on food-related topics, and identify new ways to collaborate and fulfill our mission. Host fall and spring fruit tree and plant giveaways, to broaden sustainable impact. Host area orchard tours, to highlight examples of other public/private growing initiatives. Host 2 community forums annually, to collect feedback on how to advance our mission. Develop and expand Neighborhood Orchard Program, to continually increase collaboratively managed fruit growing in the community. Grow BCO-IU student organization, to establish a campus orchard community.

Operations (at the Orchard site) Refine and share Orchard maintenance calendar with community, via social media and newsletter, to educate home-growers of the annual cycle of fruit tree care. Develop 10-15 orchard site leaders annually (including 6 active Work & Learn Day Leaders), to help nurture and care for the Orchard site. Offer at least 36 Work & Learn Days annually that provide hands-on educational experiences.

(continued on next page)

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Our Annual Commitments to You (continued)Operations (continued) Develop a local, sustainable orcharding supplies vendor list, to share where community members can source materials to implement BCO-recommended practices. Utilize BCO Ethos to guide healthful and sustainable orcharding practices Communications Promote BCO events and programs via partner listservs, newsletters and flyers. Create and implement a merchandising plan, to spread awareness of the BCO in the community. Utilize social media outlets weekly, to share information, and broaden outreach efforts. Write and submit orchard-related articles to local newspapers and newsletters. Develop and refresh kiosk information bi-monthly, to share season-relevant information. Distribute monthly e-newsletter, to share news, classes and involvement opportunities

Development Raise funds to support the BCO’s mission and vision by developing and implementing a comprehensive development plan, including: - Develop a reserve that exceeds 20% of the annual budget - Host at least one financial ask event annually - Hold at least one direct mail campaign annually - Research and apply for at least 3 grants annually, which align with the BCO’s mission and activities, with at least one being in collaboration with a like-minded organization - Develop an individual giving program and donor recognition program Develop and adhere to an annual fundraising calendar incorporating Development Committee activities into an appropriate annual cycle for BCO constituents

Finance File tax returns annually. Develop an annual budget, and track team-based progress, for quarterly reports. Review monthly financial statements, to ensure accuracy and budget updates.

Governance Identify organizational needs, to recruit and train new leadership. Review and secure board approval of organizational structure annually. Oversee BCO internship programs, including planning, recruitment, and evaluation. Work collaboratively with the City of Bloomington, to uphold Partnership. Publish an annual report, to share successes, financials and next steps for the BCO. Invite educational speakers to monthly BCO board meetings, to share information and provide continuing education to board and leaders. Provide personal/professional development opportunities to board and leaders. Engage board in annual self-evaluation, to identify ways to improve upon current systems.

t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t

Looking Forward: 5 Years and Growing!As we enter into 2015, and celebrate our 5th Anniversary, we’ve planned some exciting projects for this year - ones we hope you’ll be interested in learning more about and supporting. Take a look and let us know what resonates with your fruity passions!

5th Anniversary ActivitiesYear five is a great organizational milestone, especially for our all-volunteer non-profit, but it’s also a symbolic celebration for fruit trees, which generally start producing within five years after planting. We’ve got lots of ideas for how to celebrate, and we can’t wait to share them with you soon!

Spring and Fall Tree GiveawaysAfter 2 years of giving away 75+ fruit trees in the fall, we’ve decided to respond to the interests of the community, and start giving away fruit trees and fruiting shrubs and edible perennials twice a year - to further cultivate the edible landscape of Bloomington.

IU Campus Planting EventWith growing support for Orchard activities and plantings on campus, we will collaborate with the IU community to increase the visibility of the fruit trees already on campus, and plant more in areas that will inspire a greater appreciation of quality food sourcing and systems.

Beneficial Herbs Planting Event and Tea PartyUnderstanding that fruit trees’ natural surroundings can dramatically influence the success of the yield, we’ve decided to better analyze the herbaceous layer of the Orchard, and find new ways to celebrate the companion plants that help nurture and build the essential soil quality needed for the plants to survive. And while we’re at it, we thought it might be fun to hold a tea party in the orchard. Hope you can make it!

Outdoor Classroom We’re aiming to meet with designers, architects, and contractors this year, to design/plan the build of an outdoor classroom in early 2016. The structure will overlook the public commons of the orchard, serve as a water collection/harvesting prototype, provide refuge from the elements during community events, as well as serve as a venue for community classes and activities of all varieties to be held in a space of natural observation and wonder. If you know anyone who might be able to help, we’d love to hear your ideas!

Community Planting TeamAs the Orchard aims to put more perennial agriculture into public spaces around the community, we plan to develop a team of experts to help guide our various outreach initiaves, while using each opportunity to better educate community members on how to play a more vital role in growing and sharing the harvest. If you would like to be involved, let us know, and we’ll be happy to welcome you to the team!

If you see yourself helping in any of these intiatives, please send us a note! You can reach us at GetInvolved@BloomingtonCommunityOrchard.org. We would love to set up a time to discuss your ideas, and see how you can play a lead role in helping cultivate the mission and vision of the budding community.

We look forward to seeing you in the Orchard this year!