Fresh ideas are flowing at an Officer orchard thanks to a grant from the PB Ronald Memorial Trust.
Three staff members brought back new ideas for Bellevue Orchard after taking part in a one-week intensive course organised by peak produce body, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL).
The orchard, which last year marked 70 years since the Russo family purchased the property and 25 years since they began juicing, nominated the three to hear from experts on the latest developments in the horticulture field.
Among those ideas was to try stressing out new seedlings, with the hopes of encouraging them to throw out their roots more vigorously.
The idea garnered mixed responses at the course, but you can see it for yourself in action – it is being trialed on a corner allotment as you first turn into Bellevue Orchard.
The participants also took notes on the economics of growing fruit; growth, flowering, fruit set and crop management; soil and ground preparation; irrigation and nutrition; pest and disease management; growth regular usage, including chemical thinning; and pre- and post-harvest fruit management to maximise quality.
The participants all agreed the course was worthwhile, with the three coming from different backgrounds and taking in different information.
Edward Zabkowski was a landscaper before he made the shift to Bellevue Orchard.
Adam Smith has been with the business for more than two decades.
And for Sean Crestani, it was his great grandfather Angelo Russo – alongside his brothers – who purchased the orchard in 1953.
It’s continued to be a family affair ever since, ably assisted by a passionate and growing workforce who have seen the orchard continue to develop and adapt over time.
Last month, Bellevue Orchard chief executive officer Nick Russo and the participants welcomed the opportunity to share their experiences with the trustees of the PB Ronald Memorial Trust.
As well as touching on the long history of Bellevue Orchard.
Bellevue Orchard’s juice, Summer Snow, is sent across the country, with almost all 38 products appearing in independent stores across Australia. Two of their products can be seen on the shelves at Coles.
Mr Russo thanked the members of the trust, which was established in honour of Peter Bruce Ronald who was a farmer at Pakenham with a broad range of community interests and involvement.
He was a councillor for the Shire of Berwick, and was a former shire president. He served as a committee member of the Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society for 50 years, and as a committee member of the Pakenham Racing Club for 45 years.
He had served as president of both, as well as for the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
In 1991, two years after his passing, the PB Ronald Memorial Trust was established with the support of the Rotary Club of Pakenham, the Shire of Pakenham, Pakenham Racing Club and the Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
It was formed to assist people furthering their education in agriculture, horticulture and local government. For more information, contact chairperson Tim Ahern 0427 057 908, Jillian Ronald 0413 147 396 or Janette Young 0401 271 627.
