Food Forest in Quad Cities is started! - one tree at a time

In January of this year, about 40 people from around the Quad Cities and the outlying areas gathered together at the Eastern Davenport Library to share a common vision. Food security and food and nature education were high on the list. The organizers had a vision of a public Food Forest where anyone could harvest naturally grown local food in a safe environment.

Food forests are perennial systems that consist of fruit and nut bearing trees, along with understory perennial and annual plants, such as blueberries and wild raspberries. When completed, the food forest would be free and open to the public, where all would be welcome to come learn about native plants and pick local pesticide-free food.

On Saturday, October 25th, about 100 volunteers and local government representatives took steps to make the vision a reality by planting the first 80 trees, including  pawpaw, persimmon, chestnut, and pecan. After an opening ceremony, Davenport City Arborist, Chris Johnson, demonstrated his method for planting trees. Volunteers planted, watered, mulched and added wire cages to protect the trees from rabbits this winter.

The land for the Food Forest is adjacent to an already established community park and gardens owned by the City of Davenport and will be developed under a no fee agreement between the City of Davenport and the Quad City Food Forest.

For more opportunities and pictures, visit the Quad City Food Forest Facebook Page