NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • October 21, 2022
An underappreciated gem of Portland, Mount Joy Orchard has been providing free access to 100 fruit trees and an assortment of other produce to area residents for more than 15 years. Incredibly, the operation is entirely volunteer-run, with local folks of all experience levels contributing to the space during monthly work parties and other regular events. Our model of land development and privatization has left very few agricultural commons available to community members. More than 90 percent of land in Maine is privately owned, which doesn’t leave a lot of space for community to develop, learn, and thrive. I hope to see state and municipal investment throughout Maine into similar shared learning and growing spaces. ~ Josh Caldwell, NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator