McCauley Community Orchard

Orchard Stewardship

We are thrilled to announce that Sustainable Food Edmonton has taken stewardship of the McCauley Community Orchard established and run by Operation Fruit Rescue since 2009. This new project presents a new growth opportunity for SFE to expand programming and offer new and exciting initiatives to the community. The McCauley Community Orchard and Gardens is ready for the season, thanks to all the community members and organizations who worked tirelessly to get the space back up and running for 2023.

Under SFE’s stewardship, we plan to host a a variety of opportunities for the community to get involved and gain skills, such as workbees, gardening workshops, orchard workshops, cider pressing’s and our Master Orchardist and Garden Steward volunteer programs. The outdoor space will also be available for events, celebrations, festivals and more.  

Questions? Suggestions? Please reach out to our Executive Director, Shannon at edirector@sustainablefoodedmonton.org.

If you would like to get involved as a Master Orchardist Volunteer or Garden Steward Volunteer, see below for more details.

Master Orchardist Program

Do you wish you knew more about fruit trees, orchards, what it takes to grow great fruit in Edmonton? We are dividing up the orchard into 12 sections (2-3 trees per section) and providing interested individuals and groups with the opportunity to learn how to grow, maintain, trouble shoot and harvest their sections through our Master Orchardist Program. Each section would require approx. 3-4 hours per month of tending – done on your schedule each month. In addition, we will be providing a hands-on learning workshop once per month.

Are you interested in volunteering as a Master Orchardist?

Garden Steward Program

We have 20 raised bed garden plots available for gardeners for the 2023 season, and we are looking for volunteers to be Garden Stewards. Your role will be to take on one or more beds, plant it, tend to it and enjoy its rewards. Both individuals and groups are welcome to apply for a bed to grow all the annual veggies and flowers they’d like.

We also have a triple compost bin that needs a compost wizard to tend to it. Is that you? We are looking for a composting volunteer who can take good care of our compost bins for the 2023 season.

Are you interested in volunteering as a Garden Steward?