Photo: Community Center Director and Extension Educator Sarah Waddle

From Cook County, Minnesota - November 26, 2025

By:  Sarah Waddle, Community Center Director and Extension Educator

The vibrant corner next to the Cook County Law Enforcement Center in Grand Marais was a hub of community activity and agricultural bounty this growing season. The University of Minnesota Extension office coordinated numerous volunteer efforts and educational outreach at the orchard, which produced a diverse array of fruit crops that directly supported local organizations and schools.

The orchard, managed through a partnership between the Extension office and dedicated local volunteers, serves a dual purpose. It provides fresh, healthy produce to benefit the community while offering hands-on horticulture education for residents of all ages. Furthermore, the orchard operates as a demonstration space to showcase fruit-growing techniques and as an experimental area to test how different fruit crops perform in our northern climate and growing conditions.

Volunteers Keep the Roots Strong

The success of this year’s growing season hinged on consistent community support. Throughout the summer and fall months, volunteers gathered every Friday to perform essential stewardship tasks. Their duties ranged from weeding, watering, and scouting for pests to the specialized task of helping to write a handbook detailing care information for the fruit crops planted in the orchard.

There are no experience requirements for becoming a volunteer, just an interest in learning to care for fruit trees and plants. The group includes both Cook County Master Gardener Volunteers and new enthusiasts simply interested in learning how to grow fruit at home. The dedication of these volunteers ensures the long-term viability of the orchard.

The volunteer group is open to all. To be added to the email list for future opportunities, contact Extension Educator Sarah Waddle at [email protected].

A Diverse Bounty for Cook County

The collective caretaking effort resulted in a diverse harvest this year. The orchard has an abundance of Honeycrisp apple trees, along with numerous other apple varieties. In addition, there are grapes, honeyberries, raspberries, cherries, and blackberries. Young pear and plum trees are also planted, with hopes of them beginning to produce in the coming years.

This abundance of fruit quickly moved into the community through established partnerships focused on food security and youth nutrition. Fruit was distributed widely across the county, ensuring that the hard work provided local benefit. Recipients included the Grand Marais Food Shelf, the Cook County Hub/Senior Center, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary, Great Expectations School, and the Oshki Ogimaag school lunch program. Produce supported community-wide events, making appearances at the Grand Portage Fall Harvest Feast and the Northwoods Food Project Fall Harvest Celebration.

From Picking to Planting: Educational Outreach

Beyond food distribution, the orchard served as an invaluable outdoor classroom. Extension staff coordinated visits for students from Sawtooth Elementary and Great Expectations School. These field trips allowed youth to get hands-on experience learning about growing and harvesting fruit. This experiential learning connected directly to their curriculum in science, nutrition, and cultural history. Teachers value the opportunity to connect youth to local outdoor spaces, learn about where food comes from, and build real-world learning into their lesson plans.

The success of this year’s Community Orchard project reinforces the value of local, coordinated volunteerism in supporting food access and horticulture education in Cook County. As the season winds down, organizers are already planning for next year, hoping to expand educational workshops and increase the community impact of this treasured local growing space, ensuring the orchard remains a sustainable asset for years to come.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.