CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 19 kind of business, any of that stuff — to be more communicable and self-sustained together," Nate says. "Cumberland County has all this space. No matter who owns the property, the space is just mowed lawns or whatever it is. COVID exposed all these issues, and now we've got hungry people hurting more and more." Long-term outlook Unlike the typical community garden, Family Life Community Orchard is home to perennials — long-term plantings that will grow for years to come once established, according to a brochure compiled by Nate, the orchardist for the garden. e Crews and their two young boys, Jackson and Willy, and several volunteers have cultivated the grounds to grow apples, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, figs, nuts, olives, peaches, plums and pears, among other foods. e orchard also will feature a 1- to 2-mile walking trail, resting benches, a running waterfall to a tranquil pool area, picnic tables and memorials to lodge members' loved ones, according to Pamela Patterson, secretary of the lodge. Nate says it takes about five to 10 years for an orchard to be fully established. "Hopefully, it can be a community resource that can truly bear fruit on many different levels down the road," he says. "Even just as a space for maybe people who don't own their own home, a place where they can find solitude and shade and peace and quiet. Something like that. "It just seems like a beautiful and productive use of the space than having a big mowed lawn." Nate says the orchard will build food security and community bonds. Appreciating the bounty Amanda, who was born in Washington state, also produces a health blog. Nate has a self-publishing book line called DeepRichDirt Publishing that sells children's and adult books on Amazon. Nate, who like Amanda moved around a lot as a child but considers Woodbridge, Virginia, his home, said he got interested in growing things when he visited his grandpa's house in Nevada City, California, when he was about 7. "He always had fruit trees and bushes around his house," Nate says. "I was a city boy. It just blew my mind how much bounty he had. at planted the seed, and I never got around to actually having our own place and putting time and effort into it until 2016 when I was in my 30s. "It's just kind of taken off from there and become an obsession." Nate Crew envisions what he calls a "mother" orchard. "We live in a part of the country and part of the world that can grow a beautiful variety of eatable nuts, fruits, berries, all kinds of permanent stuff that when it's planted, it's there feeding you for decades. And we just don't see it being taken advantage of," he says. Both the Crews and members of WoodmenLife Lodge want the orchard to provide food and tranquility for more than just members. e orchard is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays. e sign on the gate entering the orchard asks visitors to respect that it is a family- friendly environment — meaning no alcohol or drug use — and to pick only enough produce for immediate personal use. "We named it a family life community orchard because that was what our initial vision was," Amanda says. "It's a safe spot for families to come and to mingle, to talk and enjoy and do things together." Teamwork and the future ey may have had the vision, but the Crews say they had a lot of help putting the orchard together. "ere's been a key village of people that have put in some time and sweat, not just members but people in the community who like what we're doing here," Nate says. Amanda appreciates the help from the WoodmenLife community to feed the hungry. "On so many different levels, this is a true bonding experience for families. We're hoping people will come and enjoy it, whether it's the solitude or just letting the kids run. Just be yourself." e first memorial in the orchard was dedicated on Memorial Day. An Arbequina olive tree was planted in memory of Dustin M. Wright, a friend of Nate who also served in the Special Forces and was killed in action in Niger, West Africa, on Oct. 4, 2017. A groundbreaking for Family Life Community Orchard was held on June 10. "When you look around and there's so many places that this could make a big, profound splash in, feeding and teaching people about health, I think this is just a start," Amanda Crew says. "is is getting back to the real crux of what WoodmenLife stands for. "I feel like this is a profound group of people, and I think we're very blessed to be here. And we got here for a reason. I can't wait to see the chapter grow and keep doing and giving more back to the local community." For more information on Crew Family Orchards, go to creworchards.com. For more information on WoodmenLife, go to woodmenlife.org. Nate Crew picks wild blackberries at his family orchard in Wagram.

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