The Urban Orchard Project Application

The Urban Orchard Project is designed to encourage citizens and groups to grow fresh food for themselves, for sale, for processing or for donation. We plant mini orchards of fruit and nut trees on public land and teach participants the use of organic growing methods to maintain them. We welcome partnerships with schools, community gardens, neighborhood associations, health care facilities and other groups.

Applications may be submitted year-round, but planting is only scheduled between October 1 and March 30.
Please contact us at nina@treefolks.org or call (512) 443 - LEAF (5323) with questions.

* Required

Tree Planting

Fruit trees that are native or well suited to the Central Texas area are available under this program. TreeFolks provides tools and materials necessary for planting. The number of trees provided will depend upon the number of individuals who agree to participate in the training. Generally, we provide 3 trees per participant.

Education

TreeFolks has developed an educational component to complement the tree planting. We provide three classes on fruit-related topics with each planting (in addition to the planting itself). Classes can be scheduled at the participants' convenience and Spanish translation is available upon request.

General Information

Name of group planting the orchard:*

Number of participants:*A minimum of 6 individuals willing to take ALL classes (about 2 hrs per class) is required to qualify for participation in the program.

Approximate age range of participants:*

Number of adult participants:*TreeFolks requires that adults be present to provide supervision to underage participants.

Name of project leader:*

Project leader mailing address:*

Project leader phone number:*

Project leader email address:*

Planting Information

Planting Date & Time*

Second Choice Planting Date & Time*

Name of planting site:*

Address of planting site:*

Education Information

Each tree planting includes a demonstration so that participants understand proper planting procedures. Subsequent classes will cover tree care, companion planting, harvesting, processing and/or marketing fruit, depending on the goals and needs of the individual group.

Maintenance

Fruit trees require consistent maintenance. Please describe who will be responsible for the following tasks.

Watering (weekly):*

Feeding (twice yearly):*

Pruning (yearly):*

Adding mulch (yearly):*

Inspection (weekly):*

Weeding (weekly):*

Pest Control:*

Harvest & Distribution:*

Other:

Orchard Information

Types of trees requested:*

Please indicate below the types and number of trees you would like. Please be as specific as you can. If you don't know what types of trees you want or are willing to take whatever is available, please indicate that.

Total number of trees requested:

How will the fruit from your orchard be distributed?*

You may choose more than one.

Participants will divide fruit equally for their own use.

Fruit will be sold and the proceeds divided equally among participants.

Fruit will be processed into value added products (salsa, jelly, preserves, etc.) and sold.

Don't know yet. We would like to discuss our options during our training.

Other:

Safety

Adults MUST be present to supervise underage participants. It is very important that participants arrive in appropriate clothing, including closed-toe shoes and work gloves. TreeFolks has never had a serious injury as a result of one of our programs; however, we do use sharp, heavy, and potentially dangerous tools to plant and care for trees. Individuals who choose to participate in our programs do so on the understanding that he/she is responsible for his/her personal safety and for that of the underage participants whom they supervise.

Consent Form & Site Plan

In order to approve your Urban Orchard Project application, TreeFolks must receive written consent from the owner or manager of the property. Please send a completed Consent Form and a sketch of your site plan by email to nina@treefolks.org or by mail to P.O. Box 704, Austin, TX 78767. If you are uncertain about what to plant where and need assistance, complete the rest of the application and send a drawing or satellite image of the site, including existing buildings and trees with your completed Consent Form.