Edwardsville Garden Club - Program - THE GIVING GROVE: Little Orchards. Big Impact. - June 13, 2026
Saturday, June 13⋅12:00 – 1:00pm
Glen Carbon Community & Senior Center, 157 N Main St, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, USA
THE GIVING GROVE: Little Orchards. Big Impact.
What began as a small nonprofit in Kansas City has grown into a 17-city network helping neighborhoods across the country plant and care for fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles. Through community orchards, The Giving Grove is transforming underused spaces into vibrant green places that increase urban tree canopy, strengthen local biodiversity, and provide a lasting source of free, holistically grown food in neighborhoods facing high rates of food insecurity. Each orchard becomes more than a place to grow fruit—it becomes an outdoor classroom where neighbors connect with nature, learn about sustainable agriculture, and build stronger community ties. Join us to learn how community orchards are taking root across the country, how they support healthier neighborhoods and urban environments, and how you can start a little orchard of your own. We’ll also share practical resources for planting and caring for fruit-bearing trees and other edible perennials.
Aleah Likas is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Giving Grove, where she builds national partnerships that expand access to healthy, locally grown food through community-led orchard programs. Aleah came to sustainability through a career spent outside the sector. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and event operations, she developed a strong foundation in partnership building, brand storytelling, and community engagement. After a post-pandemic career pivot, she brought those skills into mission-driven work, applying them to social and environmental impact.?Prior to joining The Giving Grove, Aleah served as Director of Events at One Tree Planted, supporting global reforestation efforts. She previously spent more than a decade with the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team and worked on national concert tours and hospitality marketing initiatives. Aleah holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Louis University and an MBA from Webster University.
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
