Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find general information for anyone interested in volunteering for gleans. Many NH Gleans regions have more specific information for gleaning volunteers and donors. Contact the Lead for your region for any questions not answered here.

Can I bring my friend?

Yes! Just be sure that they have completed the Volunteer Registration Form at http://www.nhgleans.org/pickerinsert.php, and have signed up for the glean along with you. We need to keep track of how many people are coming to each glean so we don’t have too many or too few volunteers.

Can I bring my kids?

We encourage parents to bring their kids, but please be aware that some gleans will be more suitable for kids than others. Nobody under the age of 18 may climb a ladder, and climbing trees is never allowed. If the lowest fruit is not reachable from the ground, there aren't many opportunities for kids to help. We always provide as much information as possible about the produce, so that you can make the decision about whether or not to bring your kids. There is no need to register anyone under 18 as a volunteer. As the parent, you will check off the waiver forms on their behalf.

All volunteers under 18 must be actively supervised by an adult who is on the roster.

We believe that picking with NH Gleans is a valuable educational experience and a fabulous opportunity for young folks to give back to the community. When we announce new gleans, we will call special attention to those that are suitable for kids.

Do I have to live in the region or county where the glean will be?

All NH Gleans volunteers may sign up for any gleans that are posted. Just please be sure that you will be able to attend if it is a considerable distance away.

Has the fruit been sprayed with chemicals?

Sometimes. Our gleans take place at a wide variety of properties, from 20-acre orchards to urban backyards. We ask the property owner whether or not their crop has been sprayed with non-organic chemicals and we include that information on the glean posting.

I completed the Volunteer Registration Form. Am I signed up for the glean?

Not yet. You have completed the first step of giving us your contact information and indicating that you agree with the Terms of Participation. Now you need to visit our Gleans page at http://www.nhgleans.org/gleanlist.php. Here you will find all of the open gleans that are currently scheduled. Sign up for the gleans that you would like to attend. If there are no gleans listed, then we do not have any scheduled. Check back frequently for new postings.

I signed up for a glean. When will I get the address?

• After you sign up for a glean on the Gleans page, your name is added to the glean roster. The page that appears right after you sign up shows the address for the glean. Write it down before you go to any other page.
• You will also be sent an email with a link to the glean details.
• Make sure that we have your contact information so we can put you on the glean roster. If you have not previously registered as a volunteer, fill out the Volunteer Contact Form at http://www.nhgleans.org/pickerinsert.php. You have to complete this form only once.

I signed up for a glean, and now I can’t go. What should I do?

The email that you receive after signing up for the glean has a link in it to use if you need to cancel. Cancelling gives someone else a chance to attend the glean. This also applies to the waiting list - cancel that spot if you find out that you would not be able to attend if you were promoted to the roster.

Why are the gleans filling so quickly?

Many registered volunteers are checking the Gleans page. This is the only place that we announce gleans that are available for signing up unless there is reason to think that we will not get enough volunteers in time. Those who do this often usually able to get on the roster. Some find it helpful to make the Gleans page the home page on their browser.

Why are there not more gleans?

NH Gleans relies on donations from growers. After a crop is donated, our coordinators factor NH Gleans' ability to staff gleans, parking and the requests of the land owner to determine how and when gleans will be hosted.