b'Thanks to hive and equipment donations from a retiring bee-keeper and with guidance and volunteer support from the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, POP now hosts bee hives next to our edible plant nursery. Former Orchard Director Alkebu-Lan Marcus cared for the hives throughout 2021, harvesting nearly one gallon of honey at the end of the season and passed along what he learned to Orchard Manager Sharon Appiah who took over beekeeping duties in 2022. Other Learning Orchard activities included the construction of a beautiful new arbor for growing grapes and kiwiberries and new trellises for berry beds, both completed by Orchard Director Michael Muehlbauer. A new shade garden featuring edible, medicinal and pollinator-friendly perennials was planted with support from the Hardy Plant Society. The expansion of additional plantings included elderberries, hazelnuts, chokeberries, medlar, black currant, buffaloberries, grape hollies, rugosa roses and more. Finally, POP hosted a workshop series on topics including maple sugaring, herbal salves, mushroom inoculation and fire cider, providing opportunities for in-person knowledge sharing once again. Read the Learning Orchard year in review here.The POP Learning Orchard served as a site for school and other groups to visit and learn, with tours offered to Camp Sojourner students, PowerCorps PHL members, Bartrams Youth Tree Crew, several University of Pennsylvania classes and elected officials including state representatives, city councilmembers and the State Secretary of Agriculture. POP staff also delivered online workshops and presentations to a variety of external groups, including AARP-PA, BioPhilly, Friends of The Wissahickon, Bloomington Community Orchards board of directors and PA Master Naturalists.8'