Wood Block Press
Wood Block Press is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of committed educators with a love and deeper understanding of the learning process. Our mission is to support student learning by fostering authentic engagement with the outdoors. We believe in the power of community, providing resources to explore nature, and the importance of stories that highlight its value.
Wood Block Press (WBP) aims to contribute to a thriving community through an orchard-based outreach program that serves as a an enjoyable space and interactive living classroom for outdoor learning. We offer hands-on experiences and an interactive online platform aligned with academic standards, working with teachers and students to promote curiosity, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to foster a deeper connection to nature, encourage sustainable practices, and engage the community in meaningful ways.
Our Mission
Our community orchard is dedicated to cultivating a thriving outdoor classroom and learning space where people of all ages can connect with nature, deepen their understanding of sustainable agriculture, and learn about the environment. We are committed to fostering community engagement through hands-on education, workshops, and collaborative initiatives that nurture both the land and the mind.Together, we grow healthier, stronger, and more connected as a community.
Our Vision and Values
Wood Block Press is committed to the belief and practice of community interaction. It is our goal to develop a community space where individuals and groups have the opportunity to experience, appreciate, and learn about the natural world in a manner that is instructive and inspiring.
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Purpose of the Orchard
Communities need inviting outdoor spaces where all are welcome! We are here for the community and to do our part to make learning and being outside more rewarding. Whether students come from public, private, online, homeschool, or other settings, the MSCO has something for everyone! Nothing better than the beauty of the outdoors in learning environmental science or any other subject in school.
Partnerships Make the Difference
Our partnerships are what make us strong. To that end, WBP is committed to partnering with teachers, schools, and members of the community to make this orchard the most it can be for our little corner of the world.
Board of Directors
James Barbre, Indiana University East
Mengie Parker, Indiana University East
Rob Bailey, Richmond Community Schools, Secondary Education
Lisa Faulkenberg, Richmond Community Schools, Secondary Education
Kyle Brown, Richmond Community Schools, Elementary Education
Stephanie Brown, Richmond Community Schools, Elementary Education
An Open-Access Community Orchard and Living Classroom that Honors a Legacy of Giving and Service
The Mary Scott Community Orchard and Living Classroom is located in Mary Scott Park, Richmond, Indiana, within walking distance of three schools and a daycare. As part of the larger park, it serves as a multi-use space for the community.
Orchards, when thoughtfully placed, bring numerous benefits, and communities nationwide are recognizing their value in transforming public spaces. Our orchard is a testament to the importance of community and serves as a resource for fostering connections.
The orchard and pollinator garden offer valuable educational tools, aligning with Indiana's education standards. Resources are available both onsite and online to support teachers in teaching ecological processes.
Open to all residents like any public park, the orchard fosters community ties while providing fresh, organic fruit. By promoting nutritional awareness, it encourages healthier lifestyles. Wood Block Press is proud to support this small but impactful space for Richmond’s community.
The name "Mary Scott" honors a longtime Richmond resident known for her dedication to the community. Nicknamed "Scotty," the late Mary Scott was deeply involved in local initiatives, including running a children's summer lunch program from the cabin located adjacent to the orchard. Her tireless efforts to improve the lives of those less fortunate around her were a hallmark of her work. The original cabin, visible behind a student group on the right, remains a symbol of her legacy. We are proud to name the orchard after this remarkable woman, whose commitment to Richmond continues to inspire us.
An Orchard Poem
each season is a sleep
filled with an orchard of dreams
mile high ice ground rock to soil, here
so long before we came
so long before we stalked and named
this gifts rising to the bud of our
tongue
butterflies lean and list
bowing their whole bodies
to the root of sweetness
as the mandalas of their wings
open and close
each season is a sleep
filled with an orchard of dreams
Aaron Nell (August 2021)