What is the Big Orange Orchard? The Big Orange Orchard (BOO) is a series of permaculture, edible forest gardens that Chris Weller and Neil Brown plan to implement. In addition to the planned gardens, BOO will envelop any existing on and off campus edible gardens under its canopy that wish to fully partner with us. Moreover, BOO will partner with gardens that want to be associated with BOO but not
become part of its canopy. Why implement the Big Orange Orchard? Both Chris and Neil have a strong passion for sustainability and gardening has already posed a frequent and strong outlet for their passion. Neil is the president and co-founder of Project V.E.G.G.I.E., the student organization in charge of UT’s first ever main campus community garden. Chris is also very active in Project V.E.G.G.I.E. Before he graduated and became Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s most involved alum, he was an extremely involved student member. Although Chris and Neil have been able to demonstrate the need for sustainable living through Project V.E.G.G.I.E., both of them saw a need for something bigger and more accessible to students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the community, and distinguished campus visitors than what Project V.E.G.G.I.E alone can provide. Therefore, BOO has been proposed. BOO will help turn UT into the first edible campus in the SEC, a campus where students can snack on organically grown produce on their way to class and whenever they find themselves outside. Additionally, BOO is a groundbreaking example of an alternative landscape design philosophy, showcasing how a lot can be transformed into a landscape that is productive, beautiful, and sustainable. By its sustainable nature, BOO will play a key role in the Chancellor’s mission for UT to become climate neutral by 2061. Where will the Big Orange Orchard gardens be? In addition to the existing gardens that will be enveloped under BOO’s canopy, there are currently multiple proposed garden sites, both on and off campus. However, in order to provide a proof of concept for future garden sights, BOO leadership is focusing efforts on implementing its first edible forest garden at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum (KBGA). This site has already undergone extensive preparation and is almost ready to be planted out. How will the Big Orange Orchard be paid for? BOO leadership has been and continues looking for grants and partnership opportunities. Currently BOO is partnering with the UTK’s branch of the Fruved movement in order to meet the budget requirements for the KBGA garden and potentially for future garden sights. Simultaneously, BOO is applying to run its very own VolStarter campaign, a crowdfunding camping similar to one you might find on sites like Kickstarter, Indigogo, and GoFundMe. Additionally, Chris Weller is heading up community outreach. For future sites, all the aforementioned funding sources will be revisited and others will be explore. Also, BOO leadership will work with the leaders of UT’s Campus Environmental Fee (the Green Fee) to obtain additional funds for all on campus sites. During the short term, funds raised will go chiefly towards plants, soil enriching materials (organic fertilizer, compost, mulch, etc.), and building materials (lumber for trellises, materials for pathways, etc.). Over the long term, funding will go towards the same areas as for the short term and to maintenance fees, third party consultation, as necessitated by location. When will the Big Orange Orchard be implemented? The current timeline for the KBGA site has planting taking place in early 2015. Depending on the age and growth habits of the plants, as well as the fertility and microclimate of the site, it will take anywhere from one to four years after initial planting before all plants are producing a nontrivial amount of produce. At this time, no absolute dates have been set for additional BOO gardens. However, if planting the KBGA site goes smoothly, BOO leadership will continue working diligently to implement at least one more garden site by fall of 2015. It should be noted that since BOO gardens will be dynamic, living systems, they will never truly be “complete” or “done” but will be constantly (albeit slowly) changing as time goes on. Who is implementing the Big Orange Orchard? Chris and Neil are not alone in the planning and implementation processes of BOO. During the original push to materialize BOO, many other students have contributed, including but not limited to: Candice Lawton, Daniel Lawhon, Valentino Constantinou, Julianna Burchett, and Lisa Dicker. Additionally, many faculty have either expressed support, helped in a tangible way, or both: Dr. Michael McKinney of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Professor Garry Menendez of Plant Sciences, Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe of Forest, Wildlife, and Fisheries, and others. Currently, Chris, Neil, and Julianna are the most involved individuals, and should be contacted in case of questions.
