Volunteer Opportunities
Here are some of the ways you can volunteer with the PFTP:
If you would like to hear about additional volunteer opportunities as they arise, click here to sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter.
If you have particular skills or services you would like to contribute, please contact Katy to discuss the possibilties: katy [at] portlandfruit.org / 503-284-6106. Thank you!
Participate in a Harvesting Party
Harvesting parties bring people together to pick fruit that might otherwise go to waste, and make it available to people in need. These events are a fun and easy way to get involved with the PFTP. Our harvest season begins in July and ends in November. Click here for more info about harvesting parties.
Participate in a Community Orchard work-party
Sabin Community Orchard 'Learn and work parties' are the second Sunday of each month, May-October. They are great opportunities to help with orchard projects, and to 'learn by doing'. Project/topics include pruning, planting, low-tech irrigation, pest & disease control, general orchard maintenance, and more. The Sabin Community Orchard is on NE Mason Street, between 18th and 19th Avenues. Please visit our Community Orchards page for more info about the program and volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer as a 'PFTP Ambassador'
If you enjoy talking with people, and appreciate the work of Portland Fruit Tree Project, outreach events are a great way to volunteer. We are seeking volunteers to help with tables at various events this Summer and Fall. For more information, contact Katy (email katy[at]portlandfruit.org or call 503-284-6106.
Become a Tree Scout
Tree scouts work in their own neighborhoods to register new fruit trees, and to help PFTP keep in touch and conduct site visits with tree owners already registered. This is a fun opportunity to serve as a vital liaison between PFTP and fruit tree owners in your area. We provide all necessary training and materials.This volunteer position begins in June and ends in October of each year.
Our 2011 Tree Scout positions have been filled. Recruitment for next year will begin in Spring 2012.
Become a Harvest Leader
Harvest Leaders co-lead harvesting parties along with another volunteer. We provide all of the necessary training, materials, and support. You would be expected to commit to co-lead at least 5 harvesting parties between late July and late November.
Harvest Leader positions for 2011 have been filled. We will begin recruitment for harvest leaders again in May of 2012.
Teach a workshop
PFTP workshops are taught by experienced volunteers who want to share their knowledge. Do you have expertise in topics related to fruit tree care or food preservation? Would you like to share your knowledge with the community?
TREE CARE: We are currently seeking workshop instructors for our 2012 Tree Care Workshop series. Topics include: Winter Pruning; Young Fruit Trees: Selection, Planting, & Care; Grafting; Pollinators; Spring Tree Care: Pest & Disease Management/Fruit Thinning; Summer Pruning; and Fall Tree Care: Pest & Disease ID/Assessment. If you are interested in teaching or co-teaching a workshop on one of these topics, we would love to speak with you. Please contact Bob, bob[at]portlandfruit.org / 503-284-6106.
FOOD PRESERVATION: Our 2011 Food Preservation Workshop series will begin in late summer 2011. Topics may include: Canning, Drying, Cold storage / cellaring, Jams and Jellies, Fruit Leather, Fermentation... If you are interested in teaching a food preservation workshop, please contact Katy, katy[at]portlandfruit.org / 503-284-6106. Previous teaching experience is a plus.
Join or lead a Tree Care Team
Join PFTP in increasing the health and abundance of urban fruit trees, while developing skills in organic tree care methods! Tree Care Teams are small groups of volunteers that care for fruit trees registered and harvested by PFTP. Each Tree Care Team is lead by one or two ‘Team Leaders’ with experience and skills in organic fruit tree care, who teach and guide the group. Each team is responsible for a cluster of trees in their area, visiting each tree once per season to complete the full spectrum of care throughout the year. Members and Leaders participate in ten 3-hour work-parties over an 11-month period (January-November). Topics/tasks include: Winter Pruning, Spring Pest & Disease Management, Fruit Thinning, Summer Pruning, Fall Clean-Up/Pest & Disease Assessment. Participants receive a certificate of completion.
Tree Care Team positions have been filled for 2012. We'll begin recruiting for 2013 Tree Care Teams in November, 2012. Please call 503-284-6106 or send an email to bob[at]portlandfruit.org with the subject line ''TCT interest' and we'll be sure to notify once we've posted the position description and application forms.
Internships:
2012 Harvest and Stewardship Intern Position:
We are now recruiting for our 2012 Harvest & Stewardship Intern Position. This intern will aid in the implementation of Portland Fruit Tree Project's Fruit Tree Stewardship, Community Orchards & Harvesting programs by assisting in the coordination of our Tree Care Teams program and Tree Care Workshop series, helping us prepare for the 2012 harvest season, and contributing to the maintenance of PFTP’s “Community Food Forest” demonstration garden.
Time commitment: 12-20 hours per week, for 26 weeks (schedule is somewhat flexible, 315 total hours minimum) April 1st – September 30th, 2012.
Application deadline: Monday, March 12th
Click here for a more detailed position description and application information.
Portland Fruit Tree Project hosts three to four interns per season. Internship focus varies depending on time of year, and current needs / activities. PFTP internships are generally unpaid. If you are interested in hearing about future internship opportunities, contact Katy (email katy[at]portlandfruit.org or call 503-284-6106).
For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Katy Kolker: 503-284-6106, katy[at]portlandfruit.org