Mataura Open Orchards

Just back now (11:00pm) from Mataura and two public meetings Robyn and I spoke at on the topic of fruit trees and open orchards for the township. There were plenty of keen people there to hear about suitable trees and ways to manage public plantings of orchards and both of us were excited by their plans to provide foragable fruit for the people of the town. We were treated to a very pleasant meal at the home of our host and some great discussions about power companies, rail, rivers, milk and lignite.
We are to return later for a pruning workshop and later still for one on grafting and it seems there will be plenty of locals waiting for us, secateurs in hand.