West Fargo outlines decade of community orchards as a neighborhood education tool

West Fargo city forester Chad Xander told the Casplay Food Commission that the city’s community orchard program began in 2017 after West Fargo staff applied for a North Dakota Department of Agriculture community orchard grant and planted pilot orchards on vacant FEMA buyout lots.

"These smaller orchards are not meant to feed the community; they're meant to be educational," Xander said, explaining the pilot sites at Francis Street and Meadow Ridge were chosen because the FEMA buyout conditions preclude rebuilding but permit planting.

Xander described roughly a dozen trees planted on many small city-owned lots and parks, listing common species and varieties used across sites — apples (Honeycrisp, Zestar), cherries (Sweet Cherry Pie), plums (Mount Royal), pears and serviceberry/juneberry — and noting some sites include small-fruit beds with currants, hazelnuts and ground cherries. He said the Francis Street and Meadow Ridge orchards are now reaching meaningful production after nearly a decade.

Presenters highlighted common challenges and maintenance strategies: many planting sites have heavy clay soils that limit growth; rabbits and deer can damage young trees; and bird predation affects small-fruit beds. The city relies primarily on its right-of-way crews for mowing and maintenance, parks staff maintain orchard sites on park property, and agreements (memos of understanding) define responsibilities where jurisdictions overlap.

On costs and timing, Xander said nursery trees now typically cost $80–$100 each and that fruit trees generally require five to six years before producing reliably. He described a trunk spray deterrent used to reduce rabbit damage and recommended mulching and group plantings to support pollination. Xander said West Fargo incorporated orchards into its standard tree-planting budget at roughly 5% of that budget.

The commission also heard a grant opportunity: presenters noted the North Dakota Department of Agriculture has opened community orchard grants (application material referenced at the meeting), with awards including up to $40,000 per grant; interested applicants were referred to the department website and staff follow-up materials. Commissioners and attendees asked about pruning, volunteer roles, fruit gleaning and neighborhood impacts; presenters said they have not had major vandalism or parking complaints so far.

The commission received the presentation as an example for neighboring jurisdictions to adapt and agreed to share the slides and orchard inventory with regional partners.