Grow Your Own Orchard: Pruning Fruit Trees in Agroforestry Systems

Please note the new date of this workshop! This workshop is now set for April 16h. Please contact us if you have any questions, or if you are no longer able to attend and would like to make your seat available for someone else. Join Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's Milwaukee Urban Ag Network, Fondy Food Center, and Mequon Nature Preserve for an evening of hands-on learning in fruit tree pruning within an agroforestry context. Pruning is an essential skill for anyone interested in growing fruit trees in backyards, orchards, or diversified farm systems.

This workshop will be led by professional arborist Kata Young. Participants will learn how intentional pruning supports tree health, improves fruit quality, reduces disease pressure, and strengthens the long-term productivity and health of orchards and agroforestry plantings.

Presenter

• Kata Young has 20 years of experience advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation through integrated landscape management and agroecology across 14 countries, particularly in Central and South America, southeastern Africa, and southern Asia. She focuses on scaling regenerative agriculture and ecological conservation to support resilient ecosystems and economies. A systems thinker, Kata builds collaborative, equitable decision-making processes through multi-stakeholder engagement, coalition-building, strategic planning, and science-based policy. Her field experience across diverse socio-ecological contexts, combined with multidisciplinary scholarship, enables practical, solutions-oriented leadership from research and planning to implementation and evaluation.

  
  

Registration

Pre-registration is required for this event. Please sign up with the link below.

Cost

Cost for this workshop is $10, to cover supplies. Please don't let cost be a barrier to participation! We have scholarships available on a first come, first served basis. Please email Nolan at nburkard@michaelfields.org

Language Access

Hmong interpretation will be offered. Spanish interpretation available on request.

Food & Refreshments

Snacks from local farms. Details TBD. Parking

Questions?

Contact Nolan Burkard at 262-347-7681, nburkard@michaelfields.org

Partners

This event is a collaborative offering of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network, Fondy Food Center, and Mequon Nature Preserve.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, MFAI supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events. Learn more and join us at michaelfields.org.

About the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network

The Milwaukee Urban Ag Network (MUAN) is a Michael Fields Agricultural Institute-led project that connects Milwaukee-area individuals to sustainable agriculture and agricultural conservation education, community networking, and resource sharing.  Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events. Learn more at michaelfields.org/muan

About Fondy Food Center

The Fondy Food Center cultivates wellness in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood and the greater Milwaukee area by focusing on healthy food access and economic opportunity. Fondy operates farmers markets throughout the year, provides access to land, resources, and support to local farmers, and works with partners to build a stronger local food system. Learn more at fondymke.org

About Mequon Nature Preserve

Mequon Nature Preserve is Wisconsin's largest protected urban green space, offering 510 acres of restored habitats, educational programs, and conservation research. Learn more at mequonnaturepreserve.org.

Photos and videos may be taken during this event and used by the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network (MUAN) and/or partners for promotional purposes, including on our website, social media, newsletters, and other outreach materials. If you prefer not to have your photo taken or used, please let an event staff member know when you arrive, and we will be happy to accommodate your request.