What Is Orchard Adoption?
By adopting a Common Orchard Project orchard, your business directly supports a local community orchard, providing the care it needs to reach full productivity.
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The Challenge: Community orchards face a critical 5-year gap between planting and productive maturity. Consistent care during this period determines whether trees become thriving food sources or fail to reach their potential.
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Your Impact: Since 2017, we've installed 43+ community orchards with 600+ fruit and nut trees across greater Cincinnati. Unlike most community fruit tree plantings that produce little, we systematize care through trained volunteer stewards—ensuring your sponsored orchard consistently produces abundant fruit.
ADOPTION BENEFITS
Community Visibility
Measurable Impact
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Branded "Adopted by [Your Company]" sign at orchard entrance
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Logo and link on our website sponsors page
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Recognition in annual reports
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Annual harvest reports (pounds of fruit produced)
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Photo documentation of orchard growth
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Community engagement metrics (volunteer hours, families served)
Team Building (Optional)
Your Investment
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Corporate volunteer days coordinated with local orchard stewards
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Hands-on activities: planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting
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Flexible year-round scheduling
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$2,500 per year
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2-3 year commitment
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Funds steward stipends, materials, maintenance, and community programming
How It Works
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Choose Your Orchard
We'll match you with an orchard near your business or target community
[View Orchard Map]
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Finalize Partnership
We'll create an agreement and coordinate signage installation
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See Your Impact
Quarterly updates, annual harvest reports, and optional volunteer opportunities
AVAILABLE ORCHARDS
We have 20+ orchards ready for adoption across Cincinnati neighborhoods, including:
West Side: Price Hill, Westwood, Colerain
East Side: Madisonville, Kennedy Heights, Avondale
Central: Camp Washington, North Fairmount
Schools: Multiple elementary and high school locations
Featured Orchards Ready for Adoption
Shine Nurture Center
Colerain | 12 fruit trees | High-visibility childcare facility with regular family engagement
Freedom Tree Grove
Northside | 25 fruit trees | High foot traffic along Millcreek Greenway near Salway Park
Frederick Douglass Elementary School
Avondale | 12 fruit trees | School orchard with high roadside visibility
Featured Sponsor
"As a longstanding supporter of Cincinnati communities, Fifth Third Bank is proud to be the inaugural sponsor of the Common Orchard Project. This partnership allows us to invest in sustainable, long-term food production while demonstrating our commitment to neighborhood vitality."
Jeremy Faust, Vice President | Director of Environmental Sustainability|Fifth Third
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can we sponsor a new orchard being planted?
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Yes! New plantings offer branding from day one.
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What if there's no orchard near us?
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We'll help you find the best match from our available orchards.
What happens after our commitment ends?
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You'll have first opportunity to renew.
Is team volunteering required?
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No—volunteer events are completely optional.
Support the Common Orchard Project
The Common Orchard Project is a program of Green Umbrella, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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Want to support community orchards but not ready for a full sponsorship? Make a general donation to help us maintain and expand Cincinnati's orchard network.
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​To donate, visit Green Umbrella's donation page add "Common Orchard Project" to the Comment section as the recipient of your gift.