Cooperation Humboldt is giving away fruit trees under the condition that people plant them in areas where the public can pick their fruit.
The nonprofit has planted 80 fruit trees in the yards of churches, schools, and homes over the last three years.
“We have a vision of creating basically a wall-to-wall food forest in the region,” board member Tamara McFarland says. “We’re going after that one yard at a time.”
In time, Humboldt County should have a large collection of trees growing apples, pears, and plums. Each tree comes with a placard announcing that their fruit is free to anyone who wants it.
Cooperation Humboldt also facilitates food-sharing through Little Free Pantries around the county, where people can take and leave nonperishables. It also installs free mini-gardens for low-income residents.