LFTP collaborates with community partners to plant orchards. LFTP provides orchard design, help organizing events,and training in orchard care. We may also provide plant material. The community partner is responsible for ongoing care of the orchard, distribution of the harvest, and possible fundraising for planting costs.
Community groups interested in collaborating on an orchard should first submit a LFTP Community Partner Application. This is followed by an evaluation conducted by LFTP’s project coordinators. The primary criteria for selection as a community partner are: capacity of the group to care for an orchard, safety and suitability of the site itself, community involvement, plans for non-commercial distribution of the harvest and long-term stability of the site.
Upon selection, LFTP will guide the community partner through preparations for a planting. The process of evaluation, selection, and planting preparation is outlined in the LFTP Partner Checklist.
Interested groups should download the LFTP Community Partner Application, answer the questions on the form, and then submit it to lawrencefruittreeproject@gmail.com. Applications for spring plantings are due by February 1st and fall plantings by July 15th.
LFTP has some specific orchard design parameters. While a community partner has leeway and input with the various types of fruit trees desired, LFTP’s design goals are to include fruiting trees that are suitable to our climate, the specific site, and are disease resistant.
Potentially eligible groups
Public and private schools
Early Learning Centers
Neighborhood community gardens
Any group with access to land to develop a community garden
Links -
Community Partner Checklist – PDF
Community Partner Application – PDF
Community Partner Orchard Contract – PDF
LFTP – COMMUNITY PARTNER CHECKLIST:
LFTP provides its community partners with orchard design assistance, event organizing, training in orchard care and may provide plant material. The community partner is responsible for ongoing care of the orchard, distribution of the harvest and possible fundraising for planting costs. The following qualifications must be completed by the applicant group prior to acceptance as a LFTP community partner:
Stage 1: Partnership Requirements
___ Submit a completed LFTP Community Partner Application form
___ Clear the site of all trash, vehicles, rubble, and tall weeds
___ Demonstrate convenient water access and protection from vandalism
___ Confirm access to hoses and other essential supplies needed to maintain orchard
___ Soil tests will be required for suspected polluted properties
___ Agree to have a person from your group participate in another LFTP workshop or orchard planting
After completion of the Stage 1 requirements and selection as a LFTP community partner, one of LFTP’s project coordinators will work with the partner group to develop an orchard plan and guide the group through scheduling site preparation and orchard planting activities
Stage 2: Planting Preparations
___ Hold a meeting with the LFTP project coordinators to discuss plans for the orchard
___ Submit a LFTP Contract signed by both community partner and the property owner (if needed)
___ If Necessary perform a soil test for the proposed orchard site and share the results with LFTP
___ Acquire all necessary equipment and supplies for soil prep and planting: Shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes(?), compost and mulch(?), newspaper or cardboard for sheetmulching(?), hoses for watering(?), pruners for maintenance(?)
___ Complete sheetmulching or other soil preparation for the orchard area
___ Set a planting date with LFTP and inform volunteers from your community about the orchard installation and how they can be involved
LFTP - Community Partner Application
(note: The following application may be lengthy but please fill it out to the best of your ability and fill out what is applicable)
1) Partner Information
a. What is the name of your organization?
b. Who will be the primary contact person for your group? Name, address, phone number, email
c. How would you define your organization? Non-profit group, Community Association, Neighborhood association, Community Garden, Family network, Other (please specify)?
d. What is the organization’s mission statement and primary program areas?
e. How many regular staff or volunteers help with program delivery?
f. Please briefly describe how an orchard would help your organization achieve its goals.
2) Site Information
a. What is the address or location of the site being considered for an orchard installation?
b. Who owns the property?
i. If the property is not owned by the organization, what is your relationship with the property owner?
1) Does the organization hold a lease for the property? (If so, please attach a copy)
2) Would the owner be willing to donate the property to the organization or to another group that can protect it from development?
ii. Would the owner be willing to sign a LFTP Orchard Contract (a legal agreement defining roles and future land use)?
c. How large is the property?
i. How large is the site to be considered for an orchard installation?
d. Is the property cleared of trash and tall weeds?
e. Is there a water spigot on the property that can be used for watering?
i. If no, please detail below how you will ensure regular access to water including all necessary permissions.
f. Does the property have a fence or other protection from vandalism?
3) Organizational Capacity
a. What is your organization’s yearly budget, if any?
b. What funds, if any, do you currently have available for garden tools and other supplies for the orchard?
i. Are you able to hold a fundraising event to support the orchard?
c. How many people do you expect to have available for preparing and planting the orchard once we decide on a date?
d. How many people do you have committed to helping maintain and water the orchard after planting?
e. Is someone from your organization at the site every day? If not, how often? Is the organization capable of year round care, especially summer? Is there someone who can report to LFTP about care of the orchard? Has anyone from your organization participated in LFTP workshops or plantings? Does anyone have any other experience with gardening or tree care? If so, please explain.
f. What else can you tell us about your ability to care for an orchard?
Orchard Type
a. Please describe briefly what type of plants you would like your orchard to have.
b. What do you intend to do with the fruit? How will the harvest be distributed? How will the orchard make fresh produce more available to those with limited access?
c. Are there any fruits or plants that have particular significance for your neighborhood or the people in it?
d. Are there any other functions the orchard design should consider? Seating area? Gathering space? Composting? Beekeeping? Rainwater harvesting?
