Week 1, Day 7

It was a Sunday, so it was a free day. Our schedule originally planned for some sort of a fun team building event for this day. However, the SCC team wanted to provide some useful service back to the Cheongju community instead.

A city leader helped us to decide on a service opportunity which was to help out at a local apple farm. We took about an hour drive outside of Cheongju which gave us a chance to see the peaceful and beautiful rural landscape. Originally, the team thought that we were to help pick apples, but actually it was to help with pruning the apple trees. Obviously, this made much more sense as apples are ripe to pick around October.

Once we arrived, we had to get a short "training session" on pruning technique. Basically, find a branch with multiple baby apples hanging together and cut off all but one. Here are the "before" and "after" pictures. Apparently, this pruning process ensures that the last remaining apple will grow healthy and as sweet as it can be.

I had few challenges:
1. Trying to find baby green apples from a tree full of green leaves.
2. Deciding which baby apples will be "sacrificed".
3. Need to reach out to higher branches.

This farm also was practicing organic farming by limiting the use of pesticides. Below shows a container of scent solution and sticky pads that attracts/catches flying insects.

Also, I noticed that between the rows of apple trees, there were tall wild grasses (see below in front of the group). Apparently, tall wild grasses allow undesirable insects to play and feed vs. on the apple trees. An interesting fact that I never knew before.

The elderly seasoned looking farm owner explained that it was very difficult to find inexpensive labor to perform this work. So, he was very appreciative of us taking the time to help. Many of us took turns to chat with the owner which was fun for us as well as to the owner who was eager to share his life stories as well.  Although we worked for about 2 hours, given the number of people on the team, my guess is that it was at least one or two day full-time equivalent. Frankly, I think the SCC team got more out of it.

Anyway, from now on, I will view apples with a fresh new perspective. It takes a lot of hard work by the farmers with limited financial reward so that consumers can conveniently buy fresh apples from the stores. So, much gratitude goes to the farmers.

Our next stop was to get some lunch at an outdoor table which was a very unique dining experience.

During the afternoon, SCC team had a meeting to prepare for Monday. Although Monday is a local holiday (Buddha's Birthday based on lunar year), city's transportation officials will be working with us to further brainstorm on the list of recommendations. At least, we all can dress "business casual".