JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Residents of Jamestown will be able to benefit from a recently planted community orchard in the future.

The community orchard was planted last week near the Two Rivers Activity Center and was made possible by a USDA grant. Jamestown High School Teacher Sadie Lech says Amy Walters approached High School Principal Adam Gehlhar about using the project to get the school’s involved.

Walters says the goal of the orchard is to get the community involved in maintaining it and benefiting from it.

While it may take some time for the trees to fully mature and begin producing fruit, Lech says once its ready there will be a variety to choose from.

Walters pointed out that there will also be the opportunity for more additions inside the planted orchard.

Lech’s students helped prepare the ground for planting and then Physical Science Teacher Amber Ramlo’s students planted the trees.

Walter’s says they will be building a fence to help keep wildlife out of the orchard, but the community will be welcome to stop by and observe as it grows. The orchard will be free for anyone to visit and once fruit has grown, it’ll be free for those who wish to collect and use them.

Listen to a full interview with Amy Walters and Sadie Lech below: