Apple Tree Pruning at Amrita Farms - March 22 and 29, 2025

Amrita Farms, Ann Arbor – Over two Saturdays, volunteers from MAC Michigan, Sewa Detroit, Rotary Club, the Sai Group, the University of Michigan, and neighboring communities came together—not just to prune, but to nurture, connect, and give back to the land. On the first day, with freezing winds biting at their faces, they bundled up in winter coats and gloves, undeterred by the cold, carefully shaping each branch with dedication. The second Saturday brought intermittent rains, yet the volunteers pressed on, wrapped in rain ponchos and gripping umbrellas, their laughter and determination undimmed by the drizzle. With each careful cut, they shaped not only the orchard’s future harvest but also a shared experience of love, resilience, and growth. At Amrita Farms, pruning became more than a task—it was a testament to the power of community, a celebration of nature, and a reminder that when hands and hearts work together, life flourishes.

In addition to hands-on service, participants had a special way to contribute to future tree care—dedicating apples in honor of loved ones. Each dedication became part of a vibrant display, with apples of different colors symbolizing heartfelt connections between people, trees, and the earth.

More than just a volunteer event, the pruning days at Amrita Farms became a reminder of what it means to nurture—not only the land but also one another. Through service, learning, and shared moments, the community left something lasting behind, etched into the very branches they had tended. One tree, one branch, one heartfelt connection at a time