First Glean De-Brief

Gleaning Hands is moving along nicely.  People have begun calling me, stopping me on the street, sending me emails about gleaning information and websites they have found, letting me know how much they how much they appreciate what Gleaning Hands is doing.  Offers of fruit and opportunities to glean are coming in almost daily.  It is apparent there is more food available right now than the small band of volunteers I have put together can gather.  That's a good thing!

I thought I would give an update on all the interesting things we have learned so far.  These things are subject to change.  Legal issues may play a part in that.  Before bringing this project online to the real world, these legalities will need to be addressed with real legal people.

1.) Note to Self: Write out a video release and ask the homeowner or Farmer for permission to take pictures and/or Video of the glean.
2.) Clarify whether or not the homeowner or Farmer wants to be identified or if the donation and location is to remain private.  Honor that decision and notify all volunteers of the choice.
3.) If the home or farm is to remain private be sure to have all cameras and video recorders safely stowed in the vehicle(s).  Honor the Giver's Wishes!
4.) Don't rotate the video camera while taking video.  You can't fix it.
5.) Make sure everyone gets a chance to shoot video if you only have one camera.  That way everyone gets on record and there will be different perspectives.
6.) Encourage volunteers to take pictures and shoot video provided documentation is allowed.  Encourage sharing that video in order to spread the word about the project and the mission.
7.) Need releases for the volunteers.
8.) Check with lawyers about liability for the following:
      a. A volunteer gets injured
      b. A homeowner is unhappy
      c.  A volunteer turns out to be well, not a nice person.
      d. Something gets broken
      e. Someone gets sick from eating something we donate (look up the law in your state)
9.) Different fruits and veggies need different types of boxes
10.) What do you do when there is just too much fruit or produce? Look in to and ask if it is alright to sell some of it at a local Farmers Market or Produce Stand.
11.) Do you use ladders or do you use only poles to glean.Some groups actually spread out sheets and shake the trees.
12.) Always remember to pick up the ground fruit first.  Take a separate container for that and have a plan to get rid of it.  Animals love it so hook up with a local rancher and donate the spoiled fruit.  Build the relationship and work to trade for meat.  That would be awesome!

There are many other fleeting thoughts that run through my head while working on a glean.  This is by no means a how-to.  Just some thoughts that have come up while working through this process.