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The Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project
Submitted by Carla on May 23, 2006 - 4:29pm.
Sounds like a cool program! Carla
The Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project.
We organize groups of neighbors to collectively care for fruit trees, share in the harvest, make preserves together, and cultivate "neighborhood orchards".
Your Neighborhood Can Join!
Is a fruit tree in your yard or neighborhood producing an abundance of fruit? Are you interested in sharing the bounty and tree care with neighbors? If so, contact us about participating in the project!
Volunteer !
We're especially seeking volunteers with experience / knowledge in fruit tree care, fruit preservation, and neighborhood organizing.
We are also seeking donations of pruning tools and canning supplies.
Please feel free to contact us for more information. Thank you!
Katy Kolker & Sara Cogan
--
The Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project
fruitproject@gmail.com
(503)939-4914
Empowering neighbors to share in the bounty and care of urban fruit trees.
That is a rad idea
I would think that the bounty is usually first given some pickings by friends and family, neighbors that know it's there, and so on until all the intensely close locals have their fill. At that point the trees might open up to charity?
I'm wondering how this program is working thus far, and the reasons people are joining in the fun or they have a fruit tree and say "No Thanks".
Why WOULDN'T a fruit tree owner join in this project is what I wonder... and if they say "No Thanks", what are the reasons? And how do we start to look into the ways to answer their concerns? Or help them learn more information about why sharing is so important?
Maybe I'm just dancing on the balance point of sincere curiosity and absolute pushiness. But there are people that, in a time of compression when people may possibly be starving, will rather hole up and try to hoard to themselves. I just have to wonder how to get everyone to see the danger of not having community and enough food to go around.
But that begs a different line of thought. I agree. This is a cool idea and I applaud everyone who participates.
isolation and donating vs. sharing
I would argue that most people infrequently interact with anyone outside their typical circle and inviting someone significantly outside the cirle feels weird. I think there is also the distinction of donating vs. sharing. Sharing with neighbors, family and friends is very different feeling then just giving something away. I know when I got into the habit of freecycling et al it felt more like I was throwing something away.
some possible reasons for Randy...
People could be afraid of a bunch of people they don't know coming onto their land, i.e. "casing the joint" or doing something disorderly. Or they could be very private individuals who want to stay private.
Another possibility is insurance/liability issues - what if a tree branch breaks and someone is hurt? Not even making people sign a waiver will make you litigation-proof, sad to say - and who wants to mess with that stuff anyway? (In case you are wondering, I have worked in the legal field for a loooong time, and seen plenty of these kinds of things...)
Anyway, I'd contact Katy if any of these questions are really burning for you, but I'm assuming it's just voluntary participation between neighbors and anyone who doesn't want to participate doesn't have to...YET!!! (ha ha!) : ) Carla
Carla,I agree with your
Carla,
I agree with your asessment. I've been trying to get the peak oil message out at the neighborhood level since last winter. Although the neighborhood association is supportive and given their support to forming a sustainability committee, getting repeat attendance and an agenda in place has been difficult but we are working on some new ideas to focus on.
That level of participation will require some sort of catalyzing event that causes people to realize there's other people who are in the same situation that can benefit from a group response. That event (however it shows itself) hasn't shown itself yet. Until that time comes, I've found it easiest to break the ice by giving my neighbors vegetables from my garden.
That has now morphed into basic sharing of goods and skills from offering garden plants that have made babies, to sharing skill sets like how to make homemade wine from elderberry's growing in the community garden and how to plant onion sets to being the recipient of a few crabs from a neighbors jaunt to the coast.
None of this kind of stuff happened until someone broke the ice and said here, I've got more than I can use, enjoy. People find it most easy to share with who and what they are most familiar with.
If that kind of scenario happened across our valley and into every county and state, wouldn't we have accomplished much of what sharing with your family, friends and neighbors is all about. Isn't that what building community really is? Isn't building community the beginning of preparing for that peak oil moment when it becomes real to everyone.
Nice idea Robert
I have asparagus and strawberries making babies, so to speak. I know my immediate neighbors, but might extend out to the houses three to four down the block.
Nice intro gifts.
Next up...
Upcoming Meeting
From: "Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project"
You're invited to the first general meeting of the Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project Monday, July 10th, 6pm in the Hollywood Library meeting room. Learn more about the Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project, and find out how you can be involved!
The Hollywood Library is at NE Tillamook and 41st. To get to the meeting room, enter the library, turn left and walk to the back.
Please let us know if you plan to come so that we know how many people to expect. Food is allowed in the meeting room, so feel free to bring those extra ripe berries if you'd like.
Thanks for your interest. Feel free to call or email with any questions. We hope to see you there.
Katy Sara
--
The Neighborhood Fruit Tree Project
fruitproject@gmail.com
503 939-4914
Empowering neighbors to share in the bounty and care of urban fruit trees.
attending prior to PPO Council meeting
I'm hoping to attend part of their meeting prior to racing off to attend the PPO meeting.