Châteaux Cocoa Farm Expansion Fund

Châteaux Cocoa is transforming the most visible section of our Main Street urban farm into a productive orchard and pollinator landscape. This project will create a welcoming, uniform, and edible farmfront that supports our bees, increases farm production, and allows neighbors and visitors to see urban agriculture at work.

Each year, we receive complaints about this area as vegetation grows during the season. We mow and maintain it, but the uneven ground and existing conditions prevent it from having the uniform appearance of a conventional residential yard. Rather than leave it as an underused lawn, we want to create an intentional landscape that is attractive, functional, and agriculturally productive.

The area requires significant preparation before planting can begin. Rubber ground covering previously covered the growing space, and poison ivy, invasive vines, uneven ground, and poor soil conditions must be addressed. We also need to construct a low cinder-block retaining wall, add soil and compost, and level the area before planting.

The completed space will include dwarf peach, plum, pear, apple, and cherry trees; a lavender border; and previously funded peonies. Together, these plants will produce food and flowers, provide forage and habitat for pollinators, support children’s agricultural education, and demonstrate how a residential-scale urban farm can create a beautiful edible landscape.

Give 8/28 funds will support site preparation, retaining-wall materials, soil, compost, fruit trees, lavender, mulch, irrigation supplies, and tree protection. Donations will be administered through our fiscal sponsor in support of this community-serving farm project.