Community orchards
Contents
Other organisations that can help
- Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) are a useful source of free information and advice regarding funding opportunities for rural projects, particularly at a local level.
- The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is a helpful website listing funding opportunities. Some counties have their own local branches offering free advice.
- Awards for All (National Lottery) is run by the Big Lottery Fund who support community projects via the scheme, offering grants of between £300 and £10K.
- Landfill Communities Fund is overseen by Entrust. Funding may be available if your proposed community orchard site is near to a landfill site.
- Biodiversity Partnerships sometimes offer grant-aid community orchard schemes, school orchards and individual projects where they are beneficial for biodiversity. Contact your county wildlife trust for more details.
- Former commercial orchards are occasionally adopted by community groups, under rental agreements with the landowner. They offer opportunities for public events (apple days and blossom walks) and an immediate income from their fruits.
- EEAOP offer general advice and workshops on the maintenance of old orchard trees.
- Essex Wildlife Trust may be able to help survey the flora and fauna of old orchards.
- DEFRA offer grant aid under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This pays an annual amount to assist with general management and replacement of trees, usually with local varieties. Older ‘traditional’ orchards are most likely to qualify.
Page last reviewed: 1 August 2022