Luke Armstrong
Orchard Manager
Luke has worked as the Orchard Manager at OAEC since 2020. He began his interest in land based work in landscaping and farming in Sonoma County in 2012. He transitioned to working as an arborist after a few years, which led to an interest in ecological restoration, orchards and forestry. He now does a little bit of each from the lens of tree science.
On Staff Since: 2020 Email
In Their Own Words
My Work At OAEC:
I manage the diverse planting at the orchards at OAEC including pomes, stone fruits, grapes, mulberries, figs and more, working from the soil up to insure healthy plants, manage for pests and disease, and planning new plantings that are resilient in the reality of a changing climate.
What gives me hope:
People working together to solve community scale problems.
Why My Work Matters:
Perennial food crops are important components of robust food systems, and can be grown in marginal spaces that are not fitted to rowed agriculture. Tree crops can be dry farmed, synthesising water and nutrients from soil to grow a wide range of resources from fruits and nuts to oils, building materials and animal fodder. They can bio-remediate soils, prevent erosion and shade sidewalks. Trees are magic.
