Receipt #77 to Community Food Parks

The expenses associated with labor, design, and site visits are essential to ensure the successful and responsible implementation of Phase One of the community food forest at the Isabela public middle school. Skilled labor and professional design services are required to create a site-specific plan that aligns with the school’s educational goals, local climate conditions, soil characteristics, and long-term maintenance capacity. Site visits allow for accurate assessment of drainage, sun exposure, existing vegetation, and infrastructure constraints, ensuring that the food forest is installed safely and efficiently. Investing in this upfront planning and hands-on labor reduces the risk of plant failure, minimizes future maintenance costs, and results in a functional, resilient learning landscape that can serve students and the broader community for years to come. Compost and irrigation supplies are foundational inputs for establishing healthy plants and ensuring early success during the critical establishment period. High-quality compost improves soil structure, fertility, and microbial life, which is especially important in degraded or compacted schoolyard soils. Proper irrigation supplies—such as drip lines, emitters, and basic water management components—ensure young trees and understory plants receive consistent moisture, reducing stress and mortality while conserving water. Together, these materials support strong root development, faster plant establishment, and higher survival rates, allowing the food forest to quickly begin providing educational, ecological, and community benefits. Funding these essential materials during Phase One is a cost-effective investment that lays the groundwork for a productive, low-maintenance, and replicable model of community-based food forestry in Isabela.