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HSB – Summer Associate with The Portland Fruit Tree Project

My first week as a VISTA Harvest Summer Associate was a full immersion into the world of community orchards and the people who keep them thriving. At Sabin Orchard, I spent time tending the trees—pulling stubborn weeds, checking protective bands, pruning away suckers, and gathering fig leaves for dehydration.  At the Leaven Center, I joined another group of industrious volunteers and we turned various fruits into preserves (e.g. savory plum sauce, apple butter, cherry syrup, and dehydrated fig leaves).. With PFTP staff, I helped host a work party at Parkrose Orchard with four returning volunteers. We cleared weeds, harvested fragrant herbs, checked the ripening fruit, and inspected the horseradish crop. The week ended with a major harvest at the home of a longtime PFTP volunteer, Christos, where we picked and sorted more than 200 pounds of plums. Christos and his family welcomed us with gratitude (even though they were the ones donating their bounty) and refreshments, reminding us about the importance of these relationships.