Edwardsville Garden Club - Program - THE GIVING GROVE: Little Orchards. Big Impact. - June 13, 2026 - $62034

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

Edwardsville Garden Club - Events

https://www.edwardsvillegardenclub.org/events

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.