Locations
The Lyons Community Food Project started as a dream in 2021, and soon after, saw the creation of a food forest. Since then, the project has expanded, and now includes several different initiatives spread across Lyons. Read on to learn about these initiatives!
Food Forest
The LFCP's Pilot Project
The food forest is our first project showing how plants can be planted together to create a harmonious system that produces food for the community.
Permaculture principles are our guidelines for encouraging the soil health of our forest, which consists of 7 layers of plant life plus an 8th layer of mushrooms! It is open from dawn to dusk, so pop by and check out what's growing!
The Food Forest can be found at:
Community Gardens
A Student Initiative
Started by the environmental tech class at Lyons High School, the community gardens are the result of a partnership with the LCFP. The community gardens feature 12 garden beds built by students. Each of these beds is rented by making a donation of $100, which includes water, soil, and a protective covering for the food the gardeners grow.
Growing food and community one day at a time is an honor.
The Lyons Community Gardens are located at:
Fruit Orchard
Emphasizing Diversity
Our community orchard has 49 different fruiting trees. Diversity is a strength with us; we have a wide variety of peaches, apples, plums, apricots, and pears. Each tree was sponsored by someone and planted by volunteers. It started in 2023
and has been an incredible joy to establish.
Food security is important in a changing climate landscape, as young trees are highly adaptable to environmental conditions. Thanks to our generous donors, we have a water spigot to help the orchard thrive!
The LCFP Orchard is located at:
Lyons Seed Bank
A Collaboration with Lyons Community Library
The Lyons Library hosts a seed bank that was rebuilt thanks to a grant from the Lyons Community Foundation. The LCFP has stocked it with a variety of seeds for this growing season, with its organization looked over by a seed steward. Throughout the winter, seed sorting events were held at the library.
At the seed bank, people are welcome to drop off seeds and take some. If you do take any, please grow the plants and let them go to seed, then drop off those seeds at the bank! That way, we can have locally adapted seeds year-round.
We'd love for you to come check it out and let us know what you think!
Lyons Community Library is at:
