The orchard is full of the signs of spring – we have quite a few plums in bloom, there are apricot blossoms as you head down the drive, and our small collection of peach and nectarine trees is covered in pink blossoms.
It’s not just the trees – we are also filled with the optimism of spring – and looking ahead to our new Fruit Crew season!
Fruit Crew is our skills exchange program where our fabulous vollies get a fruit allowance, fruit-based cakes at break time, and fruit tree lessons on a huge range of topics, from fertigation to bud-grafting, in exchange for assisting with a variety of farm jobs.
They end the season with a whole bunch of practical skills and knowledge they can use in their home orchards and share with their communities.
Last season, the Orchard Keepers and our volunteer Fruit Crew were a success on all counts (although we are definitely still working on a few cost-saving measures).
We had a few lows – such as the loss of a whole row of Angelina plums to the birds, but for the most part we were very happy with how the season went – and any glum moments were quickly buoyed by the positive energy of our wonderful Fruit Crew.
We are very, very excited to be running Fruit Crew again.
Our volunteer exchange program goes both ways
We are always learning from our Fruit Crew as well – they are full of great ideas on making things easier or more efficient on the farm.
While working, we have countless chats on all topics, great and small, and in pruning season, we can get very, VERY deep about the intricacies of pruning.
The daily fruit growing classes cover every aspect of fruit growing, but it’s not always us doing the teaching. Last season, we had a couple of guest presentations on collaborative tomato growing and making salami.
Season 24/25 was a success
In our post-season survey, we received some wonderful feedback from last season’s Fruit Crew, and next year’s program is already more than half full with people coming back for a second (or third) go, which is so lovely to see.
It’s been wonderful to watch our vollies develop their new skills – some have gone from very nervous pruners to feeling accomplished enough to help prune their neighbour’s trees, or confidently assist novice pruners practicing on a farm workshop.
So often, they are now making just the same pruning decision we would make, and we couldn’t be more proud!
Applications for this year are open!
Fancy joining us for Fruit Crew 25/26? We’d love to have you!
Applications are now open to join this year’s fruit Crew, and we still have a few spots available – head to the website to find out more.
