WITH the region\u2019s fruit trees bearing the goods, not-for-profit The Hidden Orchard needs some volunteer help.<\/p>\n
As this year\u2019s 2024 fruit season is underway, president Ellen Burns said the group is seeking harvest leaders who can head-up picking initiatives across the city, and limit the amount of food that\u2019s wasted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we are so grateful to have an amazing list of almost 400 volunteers, we are in need of more volunteers willing to step up into the harvest leader position,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout leaders, we are unable to organise harvests for all of the trees on our register.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leaders tend to oversee a specific neighbourhood, and they get a list of the trees on The Hidden Orchard\u2019s register.<\/p>\n
Keeping an eye on these trees, they can then line up a working bee for pickers to collect the ripe fruit when it\u2019s convenient for both the tree\u2019s owner, and the volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you work full-time or weekends, we have volunteers that will be available when you are,\u201d Ms Burns said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the harvest, the leader will oversee the volunteers and weigh the fruit, with a third going to the tree owner, if they want any.<\/p>\n
\u201cA third goes to the volunteers, including the leader, and a third to charity. We provide the leaders with a list of 20-plus charities in Ballarat that they can deliver to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteers and harvest leaders are given the equipment they need, and training.<\/p>\n
Visit hiddenorchard.org, or contact Ms Burns on 0407 373 645, or volunteer coordinator Marianne Hubbard on 0418 334 786.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH the region\u2019s fruit trees bearing the goods, not-for-profit The Hidden Orchard needs some volunteer help. As this year\u2019s 2024 fruit season is underway, president Ellen Burns said the group is seeking harvest leaders who can head-up picking initiatives across the city, and limit the amount of food that\u2019s wasted. \u201cWhile we are so grateful […]<\/p>\n