GreenVET pathway

Community Apple Orchard

Vocational school BSZ Großenhain is taking responsibility for one of the municipality's traditional apple orchards, which are maintained as public green spaces. The school will manage the orchard as part of its sustainability efforts—organizing apple harvests, creating apple-themed projects in collaboration with local kindergartens and care homes, and using the orchard as a “green classroom” for hands-on, outdoor learning.

Key People and Partners Involved

Teachers
Students
Municipality's sustainability responsible
Broader Community
External institutions like kindergardens and elderly homes

Description of the practice

"In line with its commitment to ESD, BSZ Großenhain is embracing a whole school approach by taking responsibility for the care and use of one of the municipality’s traditional apple orchards (Streuobstwiesen). These orchards are valuable public green spaces that support biodiversity, contribute to climate resilience, and preserve cultural heritage. By stewarding one of these orchards, the school is creating a living learning environment that connects sustainability across all areas of school life. "

"The orchard becomes a dynamic outdoor classroom where students from various vocational programs can apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Apple-themed projects are also developed in cooperation with kindergartens and elderly care homes, allowing students to design and deliver age-appropriate, cross-generational learning experiences. Managing the orchard reinforces a culture of shared responsibility and ecological awareness among students and staff. At the same time, the orchard becomes a green retreat and a space for well-being, reflection, and collaborative action. "

By integrating the orchard project into all aspects of school life, BSZ Großenhain exemplifies how a Whole School Approach can make sustainability tangible, relevant, and impactful—not only for learners, but for the broader community as well.

Where it’s being implemented

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource.

BSZ Großenhain is situated in the state of Saxony in Germany.
https://www.bsz-grossenhain.de/

Impact and Results

Promote hands-on sustainability education across disciplines
Foster ecological responsibility and environmental stewardship
Strengthen community partnerships through intergenerational learning
Enhance school culture by creating a "green classroom" to support health, well-being, and teamwork
Contribute to local biodiversity and climate resilience

Implementation Tips and Insights

Map out the year: Create a seasonal activity calendar (e.g., pruning in early spring, harvest in autumn, workshops year-round).
Connect orchard activities with different subjects (e.g., gastronomy, biology, chemistry, nutrition, environmental science, social care).

Useful Links and Resources

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource. British NGO The Apple Orchard maintains a blog on how to maintain an apple orchard with and for the local community:
https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/blog/?utm_