Community Orchard Project to be rolled out in West Cork

Community Orchards & Nut Groves

Sustain West Cork are partnering Skibbereen Town Council, Bantry Town Council & Tidy Towns and are looking to engage with Community Council’s & others in Dunmanway & Durrus. The project will give the chance to bring many different Community groups together for the planting such as Tidy Towns, Schools, Active Retirement, Growing Awareness (the Local Food Group) & gardening club etc. Having  such a broad range of people from the different groups come together for an actions such as this is fantastic for Growing Communities as much as Growing Fruit. These partnerships can be continued & developed during the seasons for pruning & maintenance & eventually harvesting.  We would also like to plant at least 2 fruit or nut trees in the grounds of every School in the areas which would give the chance for engagement with pupils of all ages.   

The initial planting to take place during National Tree Week 7th - 13 March will be of apprx 75 fruit & nut trees In groups of 12 - 15, with possibly some in School Grounds. This will mark the launch of the project. A second planting will take place in the Autumn during the interim months we will be accepting applications from Resident’s Associations, Community Groups & Schools throughout the area for planting of Tree’s in their grounds. We will be asking for a guarantee from these groups that they maintain the orchard’s & harvest the fruit. Individuals & Company’s will also be able to sponsor tree’s & orchards.  Sustain are hoping to develop an educational programme to accompany the Autumn planting of the trees in schools.

As described above it gives the chance for networking of a diverse range of Community Groups and the chance to engage with pupils of all ages in awareness of the importance of Local Food Production & Biodiversity.  We have to totally re-think our food supply which is at present totally dependent on huge amounts of Fossil Fuel Inputs. It is said that in that with our current methods of Industrial Agriculture it takes on average 10 Calories of Fossil Fuel Energy to produce 1 Calorie of Food Energy this is clearly not Sustainable! Visually an orchard of blossoms that will appear throughout Spring & summer will be a beautiful assets to the areas. Plus the chance for local people to harvest the fruit and nuts in the years to come.

Purpose of the Project
    • To promote local food production               
    • To reduce Carbon Emissions through reduction of  imported fruit & nuts
    • To promote awareness of Sustainability                   
    • To promote the fact it is essential we switch from being a Nation of Consumers to a Nation of Consumer / Producers in coming years.
    • To help promote Biodiversity           
    • To help build Community Resilience

The project has secured funding from Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership 2009 through Cork County Council, further funding will now be sought in order to maximise the projects potential.

For further information contact Matt Mills matt@sustainwestcork.com