To put back into production the fruit circle and pear and plum orchard (formerly Garden Organic demonstration gardens) and prune and maintain the current apple orchard. The resulting produce will eventually be incorporated into the CSA shares for subscribers to the scheme and the orchard will be developed as a resource for local school visits and for training other groups wishing to set up similar fruit productions.

What we'll deliver:

• Plant 22 apple trees (semi-dwarf stock) and 2 crab apple trees
• Prune apple trees in the old apple orchard
• Clear the the pear and plum orchard of brambles, brash and rubbish and put down green manure
• Clear the soft fruit circle of brambles and brash and rotivate and put down green manure
• Reintroduce soft fruit stock (blackberries, raspberries, hybrid berries, currants, gooseberries etc.)
• Replace old tree stock where needed with new pear, plum and apples trees
• Open up pathways and gateways to make the area more accessible to volunteers, subscribers and visitors
• Purchase the necessary equipment needed for pruning and fruit management and a ride on mower for all the grass
• Staff and volunteer training in the skills of fruit growing

Why it's a great idea:

1) Increase proportion of fresh organic produce that can be accessed locally 2) Offer an alternative to relying on imported fruit (currently 90% of UK fruit is imported) 3) Offer a focus for training for those interested in this type of production 4) Contribute to a revival of local fruit production methods and re-skilling of producers 5) Build on and extend the success of the CSA vegetable share scheme at Five Acre Community Farm

Steps to get it done: