GRO Trust Plants 250 Fruit Trees Across Jacksonville Neighborhoods This Spring

Dr. Michael Woods set out to plant 200 fruit trees across Jacksonville for the bicentennial. By the time spring planting season arrived, his GRO Trust had the community support and funding to plant 50 more.

The organization's Orchards of Grace initiative is placing roughly 250 apple, pear, plum, peach and cherry trees at Mainstreet Farms sites and other locations throughout the city this spring, converting vacant and underused land into neighborhood orchards that double as food access points.

"This is more than planting trees—it's about planting hope," said Woods, who serves as GRO Trust's lead cultivator.

The GRO Trust, formerly known as the Jacksonville Park Foundation, secured a Faith in Place grant alongside local contributions to fund the planting. Volunteers from neighborhood groups, faith organizations and community partners will handle both installation and early maintenance, including watering, pruning and mulching, until the trees are established.

The 50-tree expansion beyond the original bicentennial goal reflects stronger-than-expected local fundraising. The project's timing ties to two overlapping milestones: Jacksonville's own 200th anniversary and the United States' 250th, giving organizers added civic momentum for outreach and donor engagement.

The Orchards of Grace fits within the GRO Trust's broader AGROWhood framework, which has worked to revitalize idle properties across the city for sustainable urban agriculture. East Park, on Myrtle Street across from the Jacksonville East Cemetery, is among the sites being developed under that effort. By planting trees that produce food rather than simply provide shade, Woods and his collaborators aim to address food security alongside neighborhood beautification, creating low-barrier access to fresh produce in areas that may currently lack reliable grocery options.

Once established, the orchards are envisioned as sites for seasonal gleaning events, with harvests distributed to food pantries and community meals, and as outdoor classrooms for fruit-tree care.

Residents who want to volunteer for upcoming planting days or contribute to the project can reach GRO Trust through the Mainstreet Farms Orchard of Grace fundraiser. The spring planting window is open, and the organization is seeking both volunteers and local donations to complement its grant funding.