The Common Orchard Project

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Vacant lots are a blight to communities across the country, and Cincinnati is no different. According to an inter-departmental study on vacant land and health in Philadelphia, blighted plots affect residents’ well-being, physical health, and mental health. They also overshadow positive aspects of the community, contributing to already fractured neighborhoods. The Common Orchard Project’s solution is to replace community detriments with community assets. The Common Orchard Project works with the Port Authority to turn vacant lots into beautiful and nutritious spaces. The Green Corps partners with the Common Orchard Project to establish productive fruit gardens in urban communities in Cincinnati, for anyone and everyone to enjoy. Together, we prepare the land of unwanted shrubs and trees, dig holes and amend soil, and plant fruit trees.

Camp Washington Urban Farm

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Camp Washington Urban Farm is a 2 acre plot next to the River City Correctional Center. The land has changed hands over the last few years, and now the Center plans to use the Farm as an ecotherapy space for residents to connect with nature mentally and physically. Groundwork ORV’s Green Corps worked with the Common Orchard Project to prepare the area for later planting. Our crew removed invasive species, which will be chipped and used in farm operations. Over three days, the Green Corps built the orchard. They cut long trenches so that a plastic sheet could be stretched across the orchard and tucked into the trenches to prevent weeds from growing. A variety of fruit trees and 15-20 different kinds of medicinal herbs were planted throughout the rows, with the help of Collective Visions Community Program.