Welcome to Volunteer registration
Registration is a two step process: Creating a user, and filling in your volunteer preferences. This process should take about 5-10 minutes.
Before you begin, please ensure that you have reviewed the volunteer commitment and the information about the volunteer roles.
Volunteer Commitment
Each role requires a different level of commitment and all shifts are self-scheduled, so you can pick something that fits your schedule best. Fruit Pickers, and Fruit Sorters can be more casual roles where you can contribute whenever you're able. Tree Assessors and Harvest Leaders are core roles, and we ask that you commit to volunteering consistently throughout the season.
Volunteer roles
There are a number of volunteer roles you can sign up for in this system.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Fruit Tree Project, there are several options for roles:
Harvest Leaders are the backbone of the whole operation. These volunteers schedule when and what to pick, drive the LifeCycles van, coordinate volunteers onsite, document the harvest, and help pick the fruit. This role requires additional training.
Fruit Pickers are our casual volunteers. These volunteers can choose when and where they want to harvest by joining one of the picks scheduled by Harvest Leaders in the Gleaning Hub.
Tree Assessors are trained to help us gather important information about trees in their neighbourhood to ensure a successful harvest. They’re also often the first point of contact between Tree Stewards and the LifeCycles volunteer team! This role requires additional training.
Fruit Sorters are the linchpin in our Community Sharing Model. These volunteers come together twice a week during harvest season to grade the harvest and redirect it into the community.
If you are interested in volunteering with Welland Orchard, there are two main roles:
Welland Volunteers join in on weekly work parties at Welland Orchard to help out with all sorts of projects and tasks at the Orchard. This can include mulching, weeding, caring for the nursery, pest and disease management, planting, amending soil, propagating plants, cleaning up windfall and harvesting fruit. There is no orientation, training or time commitment required for this role.
Welland Pruning Apprentices receive specialized training about fruit tree pruning, and help with the summer and winter pruning at Welland Orchard. This role requires additional training.
Volunteers can select as many roles as they want. All volunteers with the Fruit Tree Project will also be authorized as Fruit Pickers after completing their general orientation. There is no orientation required for the Welland Volunteers.