Community Partner: Baltimore Orchard Project
Intern: Matt Bee
Site Supervisor: Ben Howard
What is Baltimore Orchard Project?
Baltimore Orchard Project strengthens communities through planting and
cultivating orchards.
My summer at Baltimore Orchard Project has been more fulfilling than I could have
ever imagined. Going into the internship, I had expectations that I would be
performing a lot of menial tasks to fulfill the goals of the Baltimore Orchard Project.
What actually happened was a full immersion into the Baltimore City community to
work with a variety of groups and organizations. I have formulated some incredible
relationships with pastors, teachers, and community leaders; my only complaint is
that I did not have enough time. Planning and planting an orchard is not a two‐
month process. It involves formulating relationships, establishing a plan, creating a
site map, working with other constituents, and solidifying how to implement the
orchard within the mission of the organization. There are countless conversations
that need to take place; however, it is from these interactions that I have created
the relationships I now have today within Baltimore. I no longer feel removed from
the city as a Hopkins student but as someone who can thoroughly navigate the
networks and communities that are so well established within Small‐timore. I
cannot thank CIIP enough for allowing me to step out of my boundaries and become
a part of the Baltimore community.
‐ Matthew
Tasks:
• Reconnected with past planting partners from several years back to coordinate care and maintenance of fruit
trees.
• Worked with City Planners and other city officials to identify key organizations and locations in Baltimore that
would be interested in and benefit from planting orchards.
• Worked with a variety of congregations, schools, and neighborhood organizations to coordinate planting,
pruning, fruit thinning, and mulching days.
• Surveyed plots of land to create site maps with potential fruit tree locations based on size of tree, preference for
particular fruit trees, availability of sun, soil pH, and drainage rates.
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