In February, the Saratoga City Council voted to explore the possibility for the city’s heritage orchard to be managed as a commercial operation (and possibly back to conventional practices), with an outside organization selling fruit grown on the city-owned land for its own profit and also ending the community harvest aspect to the orchard. This could mean the loss of the orchard’s community harvest program and a return to conventional farming practices, which would be harmful both to our environment and to our community. This was done in the past, but it takes us off course from our current organic, regenerative practices, back to more water and chemical-intensive farming and would end our beloved community harvest program, rather than strengthening and growing it. The city already funds the orchard as a community resource - it should be managed for community benefit, not private profit.
For the past five years, the orchard managers, Orchard Keepers, have successfully transitioned the orchard from conventional to regenerative farming practices. This shift has resulted in significant environmental improvements, such as almost doubling soil organic matter (from 1% to 2%) and planting nearly 500 new trees. The orchard has also been a chemical-free, community-driven space, with community members harvesting to keep and enjoy the fruit, with extra fruit going to a food bank.    

The community harvest program is more than just a tradition—it is a vital way for residents to connect with the land, each other, and the values of sustainability, respect, and well-being. Regenerative agriculture not only produces high-quality fruit, but also helps build soil, create wildlife habitats, and ensure that the land remains a safe and welcoming space for all. Research shows that regenerative practices can sequester up to 1 ton of carbon dioxide per acre per year, making it an essential tool in combating climate change.

The key issue at hand is clear: our orchard must remain under regenerative management, and we must preserve the community harvest.  The city already pays for the heritage orchard as a community resource - let’s make sure it’s managed for the community! 

We ask the Saratoga City Council to commit to this vision at the April 2nd City Council Meeting by ensuring that any organization managing the orchard follows regenerative practices and supports the community harvest.