Realizing a dream can be hard work. A group of Islesboro residents, led by one very determined off-islander, is dedicated to the idea of a steady supply of local produce grown on the island, for the island.
The Orchard Project is an outgrowth of the Islesboro Central School (ICS) horticulture program (WWF June 2000), which was originally a collaboration between Midcoast School of Technology, ICS, and the Islesboro Island Trust.
The Orchard Project is located on the school’s Alumni Drive, on a one-acre plot that was cleared, stumped, fenced, and planted with 16 apple trees by school students and community volunteers. The project’s mission, as outlined by board member Sandy Oliver, is “to foster the sustainable production of local food that involves all members of the island community, from our youngest residents to our elders.” The project’s aim is to become an independent charitable organization.
Organizers have been working hard for over eight years to make this dream come true. John Pincince, Islesboro’s horticulture teacher — who lives across the water in Lincolnville where his bedroom view is of the Islesboro shoreline — is the visionary leader who has taken the idea of an island sustainable food future and run with it. Pincince says that by working with island residents, restaurant and store owners, the new assisted care living facility, and the Islesboro Islands Trust, the project members’ goal is to establish connections among all segments of the island population who promote locally produced fresh, healthy food.
“Eventually, we hope to create a community-supported agriculture system which, for a set fee, will allow residents to subscribe and in turn receive, a bag or box of produce each week through the growing season,” Pincince said.
Pincince is starting his eighth year as Islesboro Central School’s horticulture teacher. Steve Miller, head of the Islesboro Island Trust, was the program’s first teacher in 1995 when the first garden hoop house was established. Since then, the garden and hoop houses have been expanded, with over 50 students participating in the horticulture program during the nine years it has been part of the school’s curriculum. The school’s lunch program has been supplied with organically grown produce for eight years now, and a summer greens stand for has generated sufficient income to keep up with for the of expense of tending the greenhouses and garden over the summer.
The Orchard Project was recently awarded a $2,000 grant from the New England Grass Roots Environment Fund and a $1,000 grant from Maine Initiatives’ Harvest Fund, to be used toward the cost of drilling a well
in the school’s orchard plot. The well will make it possible to take better care of the trees and be able to grow vegetables on the acre plot. Pincince used his dowsing abilities to locate water, which resulted in the successful digging of a well at 72 feet with water running at 45 gallons a minute. A solar powered pump will also be added to the site for ease of drawing water for the gardens.
Future plans for the Orchard Project include a fall pumpkin festival (harvesting the pumpkins students planted on the last day of school in June), community cider pressing with the project’s donated cider press, an expanded summer greens stand and expanded teaching opportunities in orchard management, greenhouse operation and organic vegetable growing.
Anyone interested in helping, learning more about or donating to the project may call John Pincince at 734-2251, ext. 302, or e-mail him at ashgrove@usadatanet.net.