From Orchards to Silicon

From Orchards to Silicon

(Performed by Ms. Rivers)

Listen.

Before the code, before the glass buildings, before the stock options—

there were trees.

In the wide embrace of

Santa Clara Valley

there were orchards stretching like prayers across the land.

Apricots. Cherries. Plums.

They called it the Valley of Heart’s Delight.

And then history turned.

After World War II cthe soldiers came home. 

Highways were built that stretched outward like new veins. Developers arrived with blueprints and promises.

Land became lots. Lots became houses. Houses became equity.

And the soil— the same soil that once fed the nation— was asked to hold foundations instead of roots.

Maybe they did not mean harm. They thought it meant progress and opportunity.

Folks wanted homes.

But somewhere along the way, land stopped being nourishment and started being numbers.

The valley learned a new language.

Silicon. Semiconductors. Start-ups. Stock splits.

Innovation. Speed.

And yet— under overpasses, beneath freeway shadows, in the richest of zip codes— some sleep without shelter.

How can this be?

How can a place that built  wealth struggle to build belonging?

WikiExplorers— this is about remembering.

Land is not just surface. It is story. It is inheritance. It is responsibility.

Beneath Silicon Valley, the soil still remembers blossoms.

Beneath asphalt, there are seeds waiting.

The question is not Can we go back?

The question is Can we grow forward— with a better understanding?

Can we build homes and plant trees? Create wealth and protect dignity? Code the future and feed the present?

Listen closely.

The valley has not forgotten its trees.

It is waiting for us to remember them.

Below a WikiExplorers - Classroom Activity Sheet

Younger Explorers (Ages 8–10)

Theme: From Orchards to Silicon

Part 1: Then and Now

Draw It! Or write a prompt to get chatgpt or gemini to create an image or a drawing .

On the left side of your paper: Draw what the valley looked like when it was full of orchards. Or write a prompt to get chatgpt or gemini to create an image or a drawing .

On the right side: Draw what it looks like today with buildings and technology. Or write a prompt to get chatgpt or gemini to create an image or a drawing .

Part 2: What Is Land For?

Circle all the answers you think are true:

Land is for:

☐ Growing food

☐ Building homes

☐ Playing

☐ Making money

☐ Helping animals

☐ Community gathering

Now write your own idea: “Land is also for ________________________.”

Part 3: Word Explorer

Look up these words (with help):

Orchard

Canning

Silicon

Equity

Community

Draw a small picture next to each word to show what it means.

Part 4: Think & Talk

Discuss with a partner:

Why did people build houses where trees once grew?

Can a place be both modern and nature-friendly?

What would you plant in your neighborhood?

Part 5: Mini Action Project

Choose one:

Plant something at home or school.

Interview a grandparent or elder about what your town used to look like.

Make a “Memory Map” showing old and new places in your community.

Reflection

Finish this sentence:

“I can help my community grow by __________________________.”