Making Successful Community Orchards – NAFEX 2025 Virtual Conference, Session 2

Learn how community orchards are transforming neighborhoods across the country by providing fresh fruit, green spaces, and opportunities for connection.

This panel brings together three leaders with deep experience in building and sustaining these orchards in diverse contexts: Phil Forsyth of the Philadelphia Orchard Project, Linda Appel-Lipsius of the Denver Urban Gardens, and Ashley Vernon of The Giving Grove, which oversees a national network that supports orchards across the U.S., offering scalable models and resources to help neighborhoods grow and maintain thriving, productive spaces.

Together, the panelists will share practical insights, lessons learned, and strategies for creating orchards that not only grow fruit, but also foster healthier, more connected communities.

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This interactive webinar is part of the North American Fruit Explorers (NAFEX) 2025 Virtual Conference, featuring three days of inspiring and informative online sessions for fruit growers, November 6-8, via ZOOM or by phone. Participate and ask questions in real time or watch the recorded sessions later.

The conference is open to fruit growers of all experience levels and will feature 8 sessions and 9 speakers over 3 days. Plan to join us!

Conference Session Dates and Times

Thursday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Friday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern

Speakers and Session Topics

Check out the full lineup of speakers and topics on our conference webpage.

Registration and Cost

Members: This live conference (and recordings) is FREE for current NAFEX members. Members will receive email updates with conference notices and links. Not sure if your membership is current? Check the status of your NAFEX membership here.

Non-members: The conference is only $19 and you’ll receive full conference access plus full member benefits for one year! We invite you to join today.