Orchard Spotlight: Owenwood Farm & Orchard | Dallas, TX
Nestled in the heart of Far East Dallas, Giving Grove affiliate Grow North Texas’ Owenwood Demonstration Orchard is more than a collection of trees and brambles. Planted in February 2022, it’s a living testament to the transformative power of community engagement, offering sustenance, knowledge, and a shared space for growth.
Owenwood Farm and Orchard is situated amidst the quiet streets of a primarily residential neighborhood. According to census tract data, the surrounding community faces challenges such as low income, low life expectancy, and a high percentage of residents without a high school diploma. The data may paint a challenging picture, but the orchard symbolizes this community’s resilience.
With more than 50 trees, shrubs and brambles, at full production, the site will provide more than 20,000 servings of healthy food each year for its neighbors while also cleaning the air and sequestering more than 80 tons of carbon over its lifetime.
Volunteers help spread mulch at Owenwood Orchard
Volunteers and community members help maintain the site and have made this beautiful space their own. Chris, a neighbor and committed volunteer, takes daily strolls through the orchard year-round and recently spotted an irrigation leak. His keen eye helped avert potential flooding. Chris also donated paw paw trees for the orchard, showcasing the depth of personal investment that transforms community spaces into vibrant, thriving hubs of connection.
This site aims to nourish both the body and the mind. It is a learning space for GROW North Texas orchard stewards and the broader community, imparting knowledge about fruit tree cultivation and care. It also provides a picturesque venue for community members to gather and forge lifeline connections.
Owenwood Farm and Orchard is a special place, and we aren’t the only ones who think so. Recently, CBS News profiled the orchard in this news story.
Communities like Owenwood are thriving thanks to their determination and partnership from supporters like you. Every donation, volunteer hour, like, or share helps community orchards flourish.
Today, there are over 500 Giving Grove orchards nationwide. Our goal is to double that over the next three years. We invite you to join us on this journey by investing in our mission to make a big impact through little orchards.