With floods and other trials of 2016 finally overcome, Bhutanese Community farm ranger Tilak Chhetri is now counting the days until harvest commences.

Tilak expects to begin harvesting okra, snake beans and bitter melons in early March, once the main body of each crop ripens. The odd specimen of each are already harvestable, but these will be left to mature and seed collected later for spring planting.

The coming produce will be sold to the community, with excess offered at the Albury Rotary Markets on Sundays. The farm team are also investigating other marketing options, and have taken samples to local wholesalers.

Meanwhile the team is seeking volunteers keen to garden in the lovely riverside setting of the farm on Gateway Island. Volunteers assist on weekdays between 9am and 2.30pm. Upcoming jobs include cultivating and composting new beds and getting the autumn plantings into the ground. Volunteer facilities are currently being upgraded and will be ready for harvest season.

Please contact farm@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au or phone 0260236714