BIOLOGIcal Orchard Care in Community

About this course

Biological Orchard Care in Community is a series of classes that will introduce and deepen participants' connection to long term plant care relationships.

This course and topics are designed to engage the learner in developing the introductory skills they need to holistically care for fruiting plants in a biologically intensive manner. 

Backyard growers, students expanding their horizons, community gardeners, food forest stewards, beginning farmers seeking professional development and skill specialization are all especially encouraged to join us!

Register for the full course or an upcoming class

For our second year of the Orchard program, we are shifting our structure and will look at 7 core topics, with flexible opportunities to attend:

  • Plant Selection and the Understory Ecosystem (April and October)

  • Sprays and homemade amendments (March and July)

  • Pruning with Grafting demo (January, February)

  • Ripening and Harvest (August, September)

  • Observation: Insects and Botany in the Orchard (May)

  • Propagation of Perennials (June, December)

  • Soil Care: Testing and Analysis (November)

Another change is the introduction of an optional self-led Intro to Orcharding Certificate, granted upon completion of all 7 topics, in any order. Imagine a punch card, but instead of a free smoothie you have life-long access to skills that allow you to feed and foster life. 

Learners also now have the opportunity to sign up for individual classes or the entire series of 7 topics. No application necessary.  These classes are intended for those over the age of 16.


This is a grant-funded program, with our eligibility centered on our geographic location. Therefore we strongly encourage residents of zip codes 20001, 20060, 20059, residents of Kelly Miller and Ledroit, and Howard University students to attend. We want to make sure we are serving a diverse population. As part of the grant requirements, we need to provide demographic information that will be collected through online registration.

How to sign up

Register for the full course or one of the upcoming classes here (registration for individual classes will open approximately 1-2 months before each class date, so you won’t see all the classes yet, but you can reference the dates below on this page so you can plan ahead).

Program Begins in November with the first topic (soil care) covered on Nov. 12 and Nov. 21. Participants only need to attend one of the days that each topic is offered.

The Details

Classes will meet at Common Good City Farm, located inside the Park at LeDroit (300 V St NW). Classes will be outside in the farm space. In case of inclement weather, the class may be moved and students will be notified by the instructor.

Classes will be held on the following dates and times with each of the 7 topics repeated 2-4 times, allowing participants who want to complete the Intro to Orcharding Certificate multiple opportunities to attend and learn that topic.

November 2026: Soil Care: Testing and Analysis

  • Thurs 12th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 21st, 2-4:30pm

December 2026: Propagation of Perennials

  • Thurs 10th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 19th, 2-4:30 pm

January 2027: Pruning with Grafting demo

  • Thurs 7th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 16th, 2-4:30pm (yes mlk day weekend)

February 2027: Pruning with Grafting demo

  • Thurs 11th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 20th, 2-4:30pm

March 2027: Sprays and homemade amendments

  • Thurs 11th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 20th, 2-4:30pm

April 2027: Plant Selection and the Understory Ecosystem

  • Thurs 8th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 17th, 2-4:30pm

May 2027: Observation: Insects and Botany in the Orchard

  • Thurs 6th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 22nd, 2-4:30pm

June 2027: Propagation of Perennials

  • Thurs 17th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 26th, 2-4:30pm

July 2027: Sprays and homemade amendments

  • Thurs 8th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 17th, 2-4:30pm

August 2027: Ripening and Harvest

  • Thurs 12th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 21st, 2-4:30pm

September 2027: Ripening and Harvest

  • Thurs 9th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 18th, 2-4:30pm

October 2027: Plant Selection and the Understory Ecosystem

  • Thurs 14th, 5-7:30pm

  • Sat 23rd, 2-4:30pm

As a participant of this course, you agree to follow Common Good City Farm’s COVID-19 Policy.  Common Good City Farm’s COVID-19 Policy may be updated periodically, following updates from CDC and DC Health guidelines and we will email all participants when the policy is updated. 
As a participant of this course you also agree to follow the Common Good City Farm participant Code of Conduct.

Photos below and top of page from the 1st cohort of Biological Orchard Care Class taken by Tyler Keegan Grigsby.

The Teacher

Jay Michonski (he/they) is a horticulturalist, naturalist, deathworker, an amateur ’-ologist’ in a number of areas, and absolutely starry-eyed about soils. In this season of life, they are especially focused on Eastern grasslands, orchards, trees in all stages of life and death, willow (basketry, living structures), and perennial cropping systems (especially those including poultry). He is based in Frederick, MD and enjoys botanizing, gardening, crafts, and hanging out with dogs.

Additional Info:

Please email info@commongoodcityfarm.org if you have any questions about this program.