Read our very own autobiography! An excellent teaching story and lesson in caring!
An Open-Access Community Orchard and Living Classroom
The Mary Scott Community Orchard and Living Classroom is situated in Mary Scott Park in Richmond, Indiana. It is within walking distance of three schools and a daycare. It occupies part of the larger Mary Scott Community Park and serves multiple purposes for the local community.
Orchards offer various benefits when placed in appropriate locations for the right purposes. Communities across the United States are recognizing the value of transforming public spaces into orchards. We believe in the importance of community, and this orchard is our contribution toward fostering that belief.
The orchard site and accompanying pollinator garden provide valuable educational resources for school teachers. Teaching students about nature and ecological processes aligns with Indiana's education standards and there are several resources on the website and at the orchard that support teaching and learning.
Community residents have access to the orchard just like other public parks. These shared spaces foster a sense of community and build connections. Moreover, the orchard provides access to fresh organic fruit and promotes nutritional awareness. Healthier lifestyles begin with knowledge, and Wood Block Press is dedicated to supporting this small site for the Richmond community
Wood Block Press
Our Mission
The mission of Wood Block Press and the Mary Scott Community Orchard is to cultivate a thriving community orchard that serves as a living classroom for outdoor learning and welcoming space for residents of the community. We are dedicated to providing educational opportunities that align with academic standards, fostering a deeper connection to nature, and promoting sustainable practices and community engagement. Through hands-on experiences and an online knowledge base, we aim to inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a love for lifelong learning.
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.
People 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.
Who is Wood Block Press?
Wood Block Press is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More importantly, the Board of Directors is comprised of teachers and committed community members with a love and understanding of the learning process. Our mission and work supports student learning and great storytelling through authentic engagement with the outdoors! Our mission is focused on a core belief in the value of community, providing resources to learn about the natural world, and the essential nature of stories that reinforce that importance.
Why an Orchard?
Communities are better when there are naturally engaging spaces outside for residents to interact and enjoy. Richmond is a community with a robust park presence and our mission is to support opportuniies for outdoor engagement and learning in our own way. We are teachers and work closely with other educators and students and through these partnerships that the MSCO continues to thrive and be a success.
Board of Directors
Dr. James Barbre, Indiana University East
Dr. Mengie Parker, Indiana University East
Rob Bailey, M.S. , RCS, Secondary Education
Lisa Faulkenberg, M.S., RCS, Secondary Education
Kyle Brown, B.S., RCS Elementary Education
Stephanie Brown, B.S., RCS Elementary Education
The Legacy of Mary Scott
The name 'Mary Scott' comes from a longtime resident of Richmond of the same name. Mary Scott, nicknamed 'Scotty', was active in the community and ran a children's summer lunch program in the basement of the cabin located next to the orchard. Her focus was always for the betterment of those around her, and this was the source of her continuing efforts and work. The original cabin she ran this program though is located behind our group on the right side of the photograph. Her dedication to the community of Richmond and the people who live here serves as the perfect exemplar and we are proud to name the orchard after this influential and dedicated woman.
