Work parties tomorrow (Thurs) and Saturday @ 9am & 5pm-come in entrance between ditch and fence near church

Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm!
 
Thanks to all of your hard work, the farm is more beautiful (and delicious) than ever! The blackberries are ripe and abundant and the blueberries just need another week or so to turn beautiful blue. For those of you who still need to work a few hours, we will be having work parties tomorrow and Saturday at 9 and 5 both days. Instead of entering through the gate by the barn, please go north to the corner of the chainlink fence near the church (opposite side as the playground) and drive in the dirt road between the fence and the ditch. If this is unclear, please send an email and I will attempt to clarify. Drive back along the ditch(keep left) until you come to the beehives – we will be working in the beehive patch. The berries are almost ripe and we will not have work parties after they are ripe so if you need to get some hours in this is your chance. If none of the times fits your schedule, let me know and I will try to work something out. As always kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home. I will have tools, you bring gloves and long pants and sleeves and plenty of water!
 
I am happy to report that the bear (yes bear!) that knocked over one of my hives 3 days in a row a little over a week ago must have moved on because he hasnt struck since. Check out the attached photos with the tell- tale paw print that let me know it was a bear – pressed right into one of the frames from that hive. So exciting that a bear came through (and as a beekeeper, such a relief that he passed through and hasnt struck my hives since). A wildlife officer came out and confirmed it was a bear and set up an electric fence around my hives in case he returns.
 
Just to clarify since I have had a few questions about this – Only adults with pickin cards (and the kids they bring) are allowed to come on the farm during pickin season (unless they are working at a work party). If you do not owe any hours from years past you may pledge to work remaining hours and get your pickin card during a work party. With it you will receive the combo to the entrance by the ditch. No adult guests or spouses are allowed unless they are willing to sign a liability waiver and pledge to work their hours. Without fairness our whole structure falls apart – all adults must have a card to pick – please bring your card with you and carry it while you are picking. If your adult family members or friends wish to join you, they must sign a liability waiver and pledge to work 8 hours over the coming year, just like the rest of us. Please be out by sunset and no pets are allowed.
 
Hope to see you down at the farm – bring a bag or bucket for blackberry picking – and you will thank yourself for wearing long pants and closed toed shoes if you want to pick blackberries!

maureen
www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org