Sarah Sikich and Ryan Watson Bio
Sarah Sikich and Ryan Watson are dedicated urban orchard advocates, spreading The Giving Grove’s mission to grow sustainable community orchards nationwide.
Sarah, Director of Marketing and Communications, began her journey with The Giving Grove as a volunteer at the first little orchard, witnessing how urban orchards can transform neighborhoods. Combining her background in communications with her passion for gardening, she now works to expand the reach of community orchards across the country.
Ryan, National Orchard Operations & Education Manager, brings over a decade of experience in urban agriculture. After co-founding North Brooklyn Farms and developing public green spaces in New York City, he now lives in the Catskill Mountains, managing an heirloom apple orchard at Wild Russet Farm with his wife. His expertise in community greening and orchard care guides The Giving Grove’s programs nationwide.
Together, Sarah and Ryan bring hands-on experience and practical knowledge to the world of urban orchards, helping communities grow sustainable green spaces that nourish neighborhoods.
You can learn more about Giving Grove at their website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube.
SHOW NOTES
How Ryan’s passion for plants began on a balcony in Los Angeles, and lead him to community gardens and urban farming in Brooklyn
The influence of Brooklyn Grange and the transformation of an empty lot into a seven-year urban farm project.
A move to the Catskills and an introduction to wild apple foraging that sparked a love for cider making and fruit trees.
How working for a cider maker using foraged apples deepened Ryan’s appreciation for apple trees and led him to the Giving Grove.
Sarah’s background growing up in Texas with a family connection to agricultural research.
The unexpected career shift from marketing to community orcharding started with a school orchard planted near her home.
The power of community orchards in revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering connections.
The Giving Grove’s mission to address hunger and climate change through community-led urban orchards.
How Giving Grove has helped establish over 650 orchards nationwide, projected to produce 93 million servings of fresh fruit annually.
The universal language of fruit and how community orchards create inclusive, welcoming spaces.
Essential lessons for starting and maintaining community orchards, including the importance of long-term tree care and education.
The challenge of fruit tree selection and why choosing disease-resistant cultivars is crucial.
Using Surround WP kaolin clay to help protect trees from insects
The importance of community buy-in for orchard success and why the Giving Grove only establishes orchards where they’re invited.
How different regions require different fruit tree strategies, from pawpaws in Pittsburgh to muscadines in Atlanta.
Strategies for engaging communities while waiting for fruit trees to mature, such as planting berry brambles and hosting orchard events.
The role of celebrations in orchard culture, from wassailing events to community jam-making contests.
Michael Pollan’s The Botany of Desire
Insights from the Orchard Project in the UK and how their education focus complements the Giving Grove’s data-driven approach.
The benefits of integrating understory plantings in orchards for pest control, soil health, and biodiversity.
Practical examples of plants for orchard understories, including comfrey, clovers, rye grass, daffodils, and dynamic accumulators.
Michael Phillips The Apple Grower and The Holistic Orchard
The importance of soil testing and site selection for healthy orchards, including strategies for soil improvement.
The role of ramial wood chips in supporting fungal-dominant soil and promoting tree health.
Managing challenges in urban orchards, including soil contamination concerns and strategies for site remediation.
The power of signage and community education in reducing vandalism and ensuring proper fruit harvesting.
How giving children ownership over orchard spaces fosters stewardship and reduces damage and vandalism.
The need for dedicated program managers to ensure the long-term success of community orchards.
Common mistakes in orchard management, including planting too many trees without a long-term care plan.
The importance of pruning and holistic sprays in maintaining healthy, productive fruit trees.
Helen Atthowe’s keynote address where she mentioned research on holistic sprays in Oregon
How traditional orchard structures are evolving to incorporate food forests and greater plant diversity.
Favorite ways communities celebrate harvests, from cider pressing to jujube drying and mead making.
The history of cider in America and how Prohibition nearly wiped out the country’s cider apple diversity.
The impact of southern heirloom apples and their adaptation to warm climates with efforts to preserve rare cultivars.
Jason Bowen of the Southern Heritage Apple Orchard and Josh Fuder with UGA’s Heritage Apple Orchard
Personal routines and practices that help Sarah and Ryan grow creatively
Book recommendations, including Susan Poizner’s books, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, Mycorrhizal Planet by Michael Phillips, and for social justice Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka.
The significance of involving children in growing and harvesting food to foster future horticulturists.
You can learn more about Giving Grove at their website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube.