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Transcript: Fruit Grower
A child says, WEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Brody holds a copy of “Skilled Trades Monthly” in front of his face. The cover features a photograph of his face, and text reads, “Brody! The interview.”
Akeylah says, BAD NEWS ON THE APPLE TREE FRONT.
Akeylah holds an apple with black spots.
Brody asks, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Akeylah replies, I JUST PICKED ONE, AND IT'S NOT PRETTY.
Brody asks, WHY DOES IT LOOK SO SPOOKY?
Akeylah replies, I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE THERE ARE BUGS OR DISEASE OR SOMEONE PUT A SPELL ON IT. OR MAYBE WE JUST CAN'T GROW FRUIT.
Brody says, GROW FRUIT, YOU SAY. I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS. IT SAYS HERE THAT A FRUIT GROWER PLANTS, TAKES CARE OF, AND HARVESTS FRUIT. IT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE'S A FRUIT GROWER NAMED SUSAN, WHO'S HAPPY TO TEACH PEOPLE THE WAYS OF THE FRUIT.
[Popping
In an orchard, Susan Poizner, a fruit grower, holds an apple. Her long brown hair is in a ponytail, and she wears eyeglasses and a black T-shirt.
Akeylah says, PERFECT. DON'T WORRY, APPLE TREE. HELP IS ON THE WAY.
Brody says, OH, COUPON FOR A HARD HAT. THAT'S A KEEPER.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In an orchard, Akeylah walks on a dirt road.
Akeylah narrates, I HOPE TO GROW MY BLOSSOMING FRUIT GROWING SKILLS BY MEETING SUSAN AT APPLE SPRINGS ORCHARDS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONTARIO, WHICH HAS CLOSE TO 100,000 APPLE TREES.
[Background chatter]
Susan stands by a tree, talking to a man wearing a ball cap.
Akeylah says, HEY SUSAN.
Susan says, HEY AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
Susan says, WELL, THIS IS KYLE.
The man wearing the ball cap, Kyle, says, HI.
Susan says, HE OWNS THIS ORCHARD HERE. AND WE ARE JUST FIGURING OUT WHAT THE CULTIVAR OF THESE APPLES ARE, AND THEY ARE...
Kyle says, AMBROSIA.
Akeylah asks, SO, WHAT KIND OF APPLES GROW HERE?
[Dinging]
Kyle says, WE HAVE 13 VARIETIES ON OUR FARM. WE HAVE SPY, MACINTOSH, BARTON, EMPIRE, MUTSU, HONEYCRISP, GALA, SALISH, CRIMSON CRISP, AMBROSIA.
Susan says, IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT APPLES, HUH?
Kyle says, YEAH.
Akeylah says, WOW. WELL, THANKS FOR HAVING US.
Kyle says, YEAH, NO PROBLEM. HAVE FUN EXPLORING.
Susan says, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Kyle says, YEAH.
Kyle walks away, carrying the apple. Akeylah and Susan wave.
Akeylah says, BYE.
[Upbeat music continues]
Akeylah says, SO, A FRUIT GROWER, WELL, GROWS FRUIT, RIGHT?
Susan says, ABSOLUTELY, AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK INVOLVED. YOU'D THINK THAT THE TREE, YOU PLANT IT, AND IT JUST DOES ITS OWN THING, BUT IT DOESN'T. WHEN YOU'RE GROWING FRUIT TREES, IT'S ALMOST LIKE FRUIT TREES ARE LITTLE PETS BECAUSE YOU NEED TO REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEM. YOU NEED TO FEED THEM, OF COURSE. YOU NEED TO PROTECT THEM FROM PESTS AND DISEASES, AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO PRUNE THEM REGULARLY. SO, THERE'S A LOT OF HANDS-ON CARE THAT THEY NEED.
Akeylah says, SO, WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP INTO HELPING THESE LITTLE PETS?
Susan says, WELL, LET'S START WITH PRUNING. SHALL I SHOW YOU HOW?
Akeylah says, YES.
Susan says, LET'S GO.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah walk between rows of apple trees.
Akeylah asks, SO WHY IS PRUNING IMPORTANT?
Susan says, PRUNING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE FRUIT TREES NEED REALLY GOOD AIR CIRCULATION AND ON THEIR OWN, THEY GET REALLY BUSHY. AND IF THEY GET BUSHY, PESTS AND DISEASES GET STUCK IN THE CANOPY. AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE TREE, NOT GOOD FOR THE FRUIT EITHER.
[Rhythmic music plays]
Susan and Akeylah approach a tree.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DO WE PRUNE?
Susan replies, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS REALLY GOOD AIR CIRCULATION. SO, THE WAY THESE TREES ARE PLANTED, IT'S A V. SO, YOU WANT THE INSIDE OF THE V TO BE TOTALLY EMPTY OF BRANCHES, AND THAT MEANS THAT THE AIR CAN BLOW RIGHT THROUGH. SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, GET RID OF ANY OF THESE LITTLE SPROUTS IN HERE THAT ARE IN THE WAY OF AIR CIRCULATION.
[Leaves rustling]
Susan touches the branches and the leaves.
Susan continues, SO, WHEN YOU'RE PRUNING FRUIT TREES, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CUTS. IT'S LIKE AN ARTIST WITH JUST TWO PAINTBRUSHES, A THIN AND A THICK ONE. SO, OUR FIRST CUT IS A HEADING BACK CUT, AND THAT'S WHEN WE SHORTEN THE BRANCH. THE SECOND CUT IS A THINNING-OUT CUT WHEN WE REMOVE THE BRANCH COMPLETELY. SO, WHAT I'M GOING TO GET YOU TO DO IS TO START CUTTING THESE BRANCHES SO THAT WE OPEN UP AIR CIRCULATION AND WE GET OUR V BACK.
Akeylah says, LET'S GET PAINTING. I MEAN, PRUNING.
[Susan chuckling]
Susan says, BETTER. ALRIGHT, LET'S SEE. LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
[Pruning shears snipping, leaves rustling]
Akeylah prunes branches off two small trees.
Susan says, THERE WE GO.
Akeylah asks, THIS ONE?
Susan replies, YEAH. OKAY, CAN YOU TAKE THIS BACK? GOOD JOB. EXCELLENT. THIS ONE'S REALLY IN OUR WAY.
Akeylah asks, FROM HERE?
Susan replies, YEAH, TAKE IT DOWN AS LOW AS YOU CAN GO. LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
[Snipping]
Susan says, BOOM. OKAY. IT'S STARTING TO LOOK MORE OPEN, ISN'T IT?
Akeylah says, YEAH.
[Snipping]
Akeylah prunes more branches from the trees.
Susan says, GOOD. GREAT.
Akeylah says, I'VE PAINTED A MASTERPIECE.
Susan says, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the orchard, Akeylah stops beside a crab apple tree.
Akeylah says, SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THESE LITTLE GUYS?
Susan says, SO, THESE ARE CRAB APPLES AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY FOR EATING. OFTEN, FARMERS WILL PUT THEM HERE SO THAT THEY WILL POLLINATE THE OTHER APPLES. SO, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU HAVE A WHOLE ORCHARD FILLED WITH, LET'S SAY, HONEYCRISP APPLES, THEY CAN'T POLLINATE THEMSELVES BECAUSE IT'S A SINGLE VARIETY. SO, IF YOU POP A CRAB APPLE HERE, WHEN THE BLOSSOMS OPEN UP, BEES WILL GO FROM TREE TO TREE AND THEY WILL TAKE POLLEN FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND THEN YOU'LL GET APPLES.
Akeylah says, THAT'S PRETTY SMART. WHY DO THEY CALL THEM CRAB APPLES?
Susan says, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE, BUT IT COULD BE BECAUSE IF YOU TAKE A BITE, YOU'LL BE CRABBY. THEY DON'T TASTE VERY GOOD.
[Both chuckling, whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah walk between rows of trees.
Akeylah says, THE APPLES I'M GROWING AREN'T WORKING OUT. WHY IS THAT?
Susan says, WELL, IT COULD BE YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM WITH PESTS. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT PESTS THAT CAN AFFECT THE FRUIT. THERE'S APPLE MAGGOTS AND CODLING MOTHS. THERE'S EVEN A NEW ONE CALLED AMBROSIA BEETLES.
Akeylah says, AM WHAT A BEETLES?
Susan says, AMBROSIA BEETLES. IF THOSE GUYS GET INTO YOUR ORCHARD, WHAT THEY DO IS THEY ATTACK THE BARK, THEY DIG IN AND THEY WEAKEN THE TREE. AND THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING IF YOU OWN AN ORCHARD.
Akeylah says, NO FAIR. WELL, HOW DO WE TELL THE BEETLES TO BEAT IT?
Susan says, AH, THERE'S A PLAN FOR THAT. SO, THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A TRAP.
Susan and Akeylah kneel beside a bottle hanging from a tree branch.
Susan says, SO, GROWERS USE TRAPS TO PROTECT THEIR TREES FROM PESTS. SO, IN THE CASE OF THE AMBROSIA BEETLE, THIS TRAP MAKES A SMELL OF ETHANOL. AND ETHANOL IS THE SMELL THAT TREES EXUDE WHEN THEY'RE REALLY STRESSED OUT. SO, THE BEETLE WILL FLY TOWARDS THE TREE, THINKING IT'S ATTACKING A WEAK TREE. IT'LL FLY INTO THE TRAP, AND THEN IT WILL DIE THERE.
Akeylah says, SOUNDS LIKE I NEED TO SET SOME TRAPS.
Susan nods.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Susan sit on a dock with a river gently flowing behind them.
Akeylah narrates, IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A BREAK. SO, WE PICKED SOME APPLES, AND I PICKED SUSAN'S BRAIN.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DID YOU GET INTO FRUIT GROWING?
Susan replies, WELL, I STARTED OFF LEARNING HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS. MY HUSBAND'S FROM TRINIDAD AND HE LOVES PLANTING. SO, HE TAUGHT ME ABOUT THAT. AND THEN I BECAME MORE INTERESTED IN TREES, IN PARTICULAR FRUIT TREES, BECAUSE YOU PLANT THEM AND THEN THEY LIVE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL. AND FRUIT TREES IN PARTICULAR ARE SO LOVELY AND PRODUCTIVE.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?
Susan replies, WELL, I LOVE CARING FOR TREES IN GENERAL, BUT MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB IS ACTUALLY PRUNING FRUIT TREES. FOR ME PRUNING IS SORT OF LIKE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE TREE BECAUSE YOU'RE SHAPING THE TREE, YOU'RE LIKE A SCULPTOR AND YOU'RE TRYING TO SHAPE IT WHERE IT'S REALLY STRONG AND STURDY AND IT CAN HOLD A HEAVY HARVEST. YOU'RE SCULPTING THE TREE INTO ITS IDEAL FRUIT-GROWING STRUCTURE. SO, IT'S ME AND THE TREE WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS HARVEST, AND THAT IS SO MUCH FUN.
Akeylah says, I AGREE, PRUNING IS PRETTY FUN. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO WANTS TO GET INTO FRUIT GROWING?
Susan says, I THINK THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY LIKE IS FIND A COMMUNITY ORCHARD PROJECT OR SOME COMMUNITY INITIATIVE WHERE THEY'RE PLANTING AND CARING FOR FRUIT TREES. AND YOU CAN VOLUNTEER WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH THE TREES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. THEN IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU CAN GO TO ONE OF ONTARIO'S FABULOUS COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND STUDY HORTICULTURE AND THEN YOU CAN DO IT PROFESSIONALLY.
Akeylah says, OKAY, BEFORE WE GET BACK TO WORK, HOW ABOUT A SNACK?
Susan says, DEFINITELY.
[Crunching]
They pick up apples, tap them together, and eat them.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan rakes fallen apples into a pile. Akeylah puts an empty crate on the ground beside the pile.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW CAN WE USE THIS RAKE TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM?
Susan says, WELL, THE PROBLEM IS WE'VE GOT PESTS AND THEY MAKE THEIR BABIES IN THE FRUIT. AND THOSE PESTS WILL BE DORMANT OVER THE WINTER, BUT IN THE SPRING, THEY WILL COME OUT AND THEY WILL BE NASTY AND RUIN OUR TREES AND OUR FRUIT. SO, WE WANT TO COLLECT ALL THIS STUFF AND TAKE IT OFF THE SITE.
[Thumping]
Susan puts apples in the crate.
Susan says, SO THAT WE WON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM NEXT YEAR.
Akeylah says, OKAY, LET'S GET RAKING.
Susan gives Akeylah the rake.
Susan says, LET'S DO IT.
Akeylah rakes the apples, and Susan puts them into the crate.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Susan walk on the dirt road.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IF SOMEONE WANTED TO GROW A FRUIT TREE IN A CITY? WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Susan says, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA IF YOU'VE GOT A FRUIT TREE IN YOUR BACKYARD. YOU CAN GROW ENOUGH FRUIT FOR YOUR FAMILY. FOR YOUR FRIENDS. THERE MIGHT BE LEFTOVER TO GIVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY. SO, IT'S…THEY'RE WONDERFULLY PRODUCTIVE, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND. I THINK THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE IS FRUIT TREES NEED FULL SUN. A LOT OF SUN. EIGHT HOURS OF SUN A DAY. THEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO WATER THE TREE, FEED THE TREE PRUNE IT AND PROTECT IT FROM PEST AND DISEASES. THE FRUIT TREE, IT'S GONNA BE LIKE A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY AND IT CAN BE THERE GROWING FOR 20 TO 25 YEARS OR EVEN MORE. SO, THEY'RE PRETTY AWESOME.
Akeylah says, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah crouches in a tree.
Akeylah says, OVER HERE! OVER HERE! NO, OVER HERE! I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, TO TAKE CARE OF THE TREE, I MUST BECOME THE TREE. SO, WHILE I HANG OUT, LET'S CHECK OUT THE HISTORY OF FRUIT GROWING.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
In a video clip, Brody stands in front of a painting of the hanging gardens of Babylon. He holds up seven fingers.
Akeylah narrates, THE FIRST FARMED FRUIT PLANTS WERE PLANTED IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF BABYLON. THE HANGING GARDENS WERE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.
In front of a black-and-white photograph of a farm, Brody holds a rake and wipes his brow.
Akeylah narrates, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF COMMERCIAL FRUIT CULTIVATION FOR MOST FRUIT CROPS. IT WAS AFTER 1825 WHEN MOST OF THESE WILD PLANTS WERE DOMESTICATED.
Brody stands in front of a black-and-white photograph of a ship with refrigerated shipping crates. He eats an apple.
Akeylah narrates, OVER THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE INVENTION OF THE REFRIGERATED RAILROAD CAR CREATED AN EXPLOSION IN COMMERCIAL FRUIT PRODUCTION. NOW, FRUIT WOULDN'T GO BAD DURING TRAVEL.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, Brody points to Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario on a map.
Akeylah narrates, ONTARIO'S POSITION NEAR LAKES HURON, ERIE AND ONTARIO, COUPLED WITH SUITABLE SOILS, MEANS ONTARIO IS A SPECIAL SPOT TO GROW DELICIOUS FRUIT.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah leave the dirt road and walk to the trees.
Akeylah narrates, AFTER A DAY OF TRADES TRAINING, IT WAS TIME TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOUR, SO WE HARVESTED SOME APPLES.
[Branches rustling]
Akeylah picks an apple off a branch and puts it in a bag. Susan throws an apple to Akeylah.
Susan says, HEY AKEYLAH, CATCH!
[Upbeat music continues]
They walk along rows of trees and pick more apples.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody stand behind their work table.
Akeylah says, ALRIGHT, WE'VE GOT RAKES FOR RAKING, TRAPS FOR THOSE PESKY PESTS, AND PRUNING TOOLS.
[Thumping]
Brody and Akeylah pick up the pruning shears and return them to the table.
Brody says, AND THANKS TO THE SKILLED TRADES, WE HAVE THE PROPER KNOW-HOW TO MAKE OUR FRUIT TREE GROW NOW.
Akeylah says, IT'S TOO BAD WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT GROWING SEASON FOR THEM TO BLOSSOM.
Brody says, THAT'S TRUE. UNLESS WE FAST FORWARD.
[Clicking, fast-forward whirring]
Brody clicks a remote control. He and Akeylah rush in and out of the skills space. Akeylah returns carrying a basket of apples.
They both say, IT WORKED.
Akeylah says, AND MAYBE FRUIT GROWING WILL WORK FOR YOU.
Brody says, BUT EVEN IF IT DOESN'T, YOU CAN STILL PLANT THE SEED OF ANOTHER SKILLED TRADE, AND IT WILL HELP YOU CLIMB THE LADDER TO A FUN CAREER.
Both say, GOODBYE!
[Background chattering]
They each take an apple out of the basket.
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Tradesperson: Susan Poizner. Written and directed by Johnny Mitchell. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Apple Springs Orchards, Kyle Ardiel, Shane Ardiel. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Brody holds a copy of “Skilled Trades Monthly” in front of his face. The cover features a photograph of his face, and text reads, “Brody! The interview.”
Akeylah says, BAD NEWS ON THE APPLE TREE FRONT.
Akeylah holds an apple with black spots.
Brody asks, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Akeylah replies, I JUST PICKED ONE, AND IT'S NOT PRETTY.
Brody asks, WHY DOES IT LOOK SO SPOOKY?
Akeylah replies, I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE THERE ARE BUGS OR DISEASE OR SOMEONE PUT A SPELL ON IT. OR MAYBE WE JUST CAN'T GROW FRUIT.
Brody says, GROW FRUIT, YOU SAY. I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS. IT SAYS HERE THAT A FRUIT GROWER PLANTS, TAKES CARE OF, AND HARVESTS FRUIT. IT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE'S A FRUIT GROWER NAMED SUSAN, WHO'S HAPPY TO TEACH PEOPLE THE WAYS OF THE FRUIT.
[Popping
In an orchard, Susan Poizner, a fruit grower, holds an apple. Her long brown hair is in a ponytail, and she wears eyeglasses and a black T-shirt.
Akeylah says, PERFECT. DON'T WORRY, APPLE TREE. HELP IS ON THE WAY.
Brody says, OH, COUPON FOR A HARD HAT. THAT'S A KEEPER.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In an orchard, Akeylah walks on a dirt road.
Akeylah narrates, I HOPE TO GROW MY BLOSSOMING FRUIT GROWING SKILLS BY MEETING SUSAN AT APPLE SPRINGS ORCHARDS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONTARIO, WHICH HAS CLOSE TO 100,000 APPLE TREES.
[Background chatter]
Susan stands by a tree, talking to a man wearing a ball cap.
Akeylah says, HEY SUSAN.
Susan says, HEY AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
Susan says, WELL, THIS IS KYLE.
The man wearing the ball cap, Kyle, says, HI.
Susan says, HE OWNS THIS ORCHARD HERE. AND WE ARE JUST FIGURING OUT WHAT THE CULTIVAR OF THESE APPLES ARE, AND THEY ARE...
Kyle says, AMBROSIA.
Akeylah asks, SO, WHAT KIND OF APPLES GROW HERE?
[Dinging]
Kyle says, WE HAVE 13 VARIETIES ON OUR FARM. WE HAVE SPY, MACINTOSH, BARTON, EMPIRE, MUTSU, HONEYCRISP, GALA, SALISH, CRIMSON CRISP, AMBROSIA.
Susan says, IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT APPLES, HUH?
Kyle says, YEAH.
Akeylah says, WOW. WELL, THANKS FOR HAVING US.
Kyle says, YEAH, NO PROBLEM. HAVE FUN EXPLORING.
Susan says, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Kyle says, YEAH.
Kyle walks away, carrying the apple. Akeylah and Susan wave.
Akeylah says, BYE.
[Upbeat music continues]
Akeylah says, SO, A FRUIT GROWER, WELL, GROWS FRUIT, RIGHT?
Susan says, ABSOLUTELY, AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK INVOLVED. YOU'D THINK THAT THE TREE, YOU PLANT IT, AND IT JUST DOES ITS OWN THING, BUT IT DOESN'T. WHEN YOU'RE GROWING FRUIT TREES, IT'S ALMOST LIKE FRUIT TREES ARE LITTLE PETS BECAUSE YOU NEED TO REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEM. YOU NEED TO FEED THEM, OF COURSE. YOU NEED TO PROTECT THEM FROM PESTS AND DISEASES, AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO PRUNE THEM REGULARLY. SO, THERE'S A LOT OF HANDS-ON CARE THAT THEY NEED.
Akeylah says, SO, WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP INTO HELPING THESE LITTLE PETS?
Susan says, WELL, LET'S START WITH PRUNING. SHALL I SHOW YOU HOW?
Akeylah says, YES.
Susan says, LET'S GO.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah walk between rows of apple trees.
Akeylah asks, SO WHY IS PRUNING IMPORTANT?
Susan says, PRUNING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE FRUIT TREES NEED REALLY GOOD AIR CIRCULATION AND ON THEIR OWN, THEY GET REALLY BUSHY. AND IF THEY GET BUSHY, PESTS AND DISEASES GET STUCK IN THE CANOPY. AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE TREE, NOT GOOD FOR THE FRUIT EITHER.
[Rhythmic music plays]
Susan and Akeylah approach a tree.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DO WE PRUNE?
Susan replies, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS REALLY GOOD AIR CIRCULATION. SO, THE WAY THESE TREES ARE PLANTED, IT'S A V. SO, YOU WANT THE INSIDE OF THE V TO BE TOTALLY EMPTY OF BRANCHES, AND THAT MEANS THAT THE AIR CAN BLOW RIGHT THROUGH. SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, GET RID OF ANY OF THESE LITTLE SPROUTS IN HERE THAT ARE IN THE WAY OF AIR CIRCULATION.
[Leaves rustling]
Susan touches the branches and the leaves.
Susan continues, SO, WHEN YOU'RE PRUNING FRUIT TREES, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CUTS. IT'S LIKE AN ARTIST WITH JUST TWO PAINTBRUSHES, A THIN AND A THICK ONE. SO, OUR FIRST CUT IS A HEADING BACK CUT, AND THAT'S WHEN WE SHORTEN THE BRANCH. THE SECOND CUT IS A THINNING-OUT CUT WHEN WE REMOVE THE BRANCH COMPLETELY. SO, WHAT I'M GOING TO GET YOU TO DO IS TO START CUTTING THESE BRANCHES SO THAT WE OPEN UP AIR CIRCULATION AND WE GET OUR V BACK.
Akeylah says, LET'S GET PAINTING. I MEAN, PRUNING.
[Susan chuckling]
Susan says, BETTER. ALRIGHT, LET'S SEE. LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
[Pruning shears snipping, leaves rustling]
Akeylah prunes branches off two small trees.
Susan says, THERE WE GO.
Akeylah asks, THIS ONE?
Susan replies, YEAH. OKAY, CAN YOU TAKE THIS BACK? GOOD JOB. EXCELLENT. THIS ONE'S REALLY IN OUR WAY.
Akeylah asks, FROM HERE?
Susan replies, YEAH, TAKE IT DOWN AS LOW AS YOU CAN GO. LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
[Snipping]
Susan says, BOOM. OKAY. IT'S STARTING TO LOOK MORE OPEN, ISN'T IT?
Akeylah says, YEAH.
[Snipping]
Akeylah prunes more branches from the trees.
Susan says, GOOD. GREAT.
Akeylah says, I'VE PAINTED A MASTERPIECE.
Susan says, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the orchard, Akeylah stops beside a crab apple tree.
Akeylah says, SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THESE LITTLE GUYS?
Susan says, SO, THESE ARE CRAB APPLES AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY FOR EATING. OFTEN, FARMERS WILL PUT THEM HERE SO THAT THEY WILL POLLINATE THE OTHER APPLES. SO, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU HAVE A WHOLE ORCHARD FILLED WITH, LET'S SAY, HONEYCRISP APPLES, THEY CAN'T POLLINATE THEMSELVES BECAUSE IT'S A SINGLE VARIETY. SO, IF YOU POP A CRAB APPLE HERE, WHEN THE BLOSSOMS OPEN UP, BEES WILL GO FROM TREE TO TREE AND THEY WILL TAKE POLLEN FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND THEN YOU'LL GET APPLES.
Akeylah says, THAT'S PRETTY SMART. WHY DO THEY CALL THEM CRAB APPLES?
Susan says, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE, BUT IT COULD BE BECAUSE IF YOU TAKE A BITE, YOU'LL BE CRABBY. THEY DON'T TASTE VERY GOOD.
[Both chuckling, whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah walk between rows of trees.
Akeylah says, THE APPLES I'M GROWING AREN'T WORKING OUT. WHY IS THAT?
Susan says, WELL, IT COULD BE YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM WITH PESTS. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT PESTS THAT CAN AFFECT THE FRUIT. THERE'S APPLE MAGGOTS AND CODLING MOTHS. THERE'S EVEN A NEW ONE CALLED AMBROSIA BEETLES.
Akeylah says, AM WHAT A BEETLES?
Susan says, AMBROSIA BEETLES. IF THOSE GUYS GET INTO YOUR ORCHARD, WHAT THEY DO IS THEY ATTACK THE BARK, THEY DIG IN AND THEY WEAKEN THE TREE. AND THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING IF YOU OWN AN ORCHARD.
Akeylah says, NO FAIR. WELL, HOW DO WE TELL THE BEETLES TO BEAT IT?
Susan says, AH, THERE'S A PLAN FOR THAT. SO, THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A TRAP.
Susan and Akeylah kneel beside a bottle hanging from a tree branch.
Susan says, SO, GROWERS USE TRAPS TO PROTECT THEIR TREES FROM PESTS. SO, IN THE CASE OF THE AMBROSIA BEETLE, THIS TRAP MAKES A SMELL OF ETHANOL. AND ETHANOL IS THE SMELL THAT TREES EXUDE WHEN THEY'RE REALLY STRESSED OUT. SO, THE BEETLE WILL FLY TOWARDS THE TREE, THINKING IT'S ATTACKING A WEAK TREE. IT'LL FLY INTO THE TRAP, AND THEN IT WILL DIE THERE.
Akeylah says, SOUNDS LIKE I NEED TO SET SOME TRAPS.
Susan nods.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Susan sit on a dock with a river gently flowing behind them.
Akeylah narrates, IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A BREAK. SO, WE PICKED SOME APPLES, AND I PICKED SUSAN'S BRAIN.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW DID YOU GET INTO FRUIT GROWING?
Susan replies, WELL, I STARTED OFF LEARNING HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS. MY HUSBAND'S FROM TRINIDAD AND HE LOVES PLANTING. SO, HE TAUGHT ME ABOUT THAT. AND THEN I BECAME MORE INTERESTED IN TREES, IN PARTICULAR FRUIT TREES, BECAUSE YOU PLANT THEM AND THEN THEY LIVE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL. AND FRUIT TREES IN PARTICULAR ARE SO LOVELY AND PRODUCTIVE.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?
Susan replies, WELL, I LOVE CARING FOR TREES IN GENERAL, BUT MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB IS ACTUALLY PRUNING FRUIT TREES. FOR ME PRUNING IS SORT OF LIKE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE TREE BECAUSE YOU'RE SHAPING THE TREE, YOU'RE LIKE A SCULPTOR AND YOU'RE TRYING TO SHAPE IT WHERE IT'S REALLY STRONG AND STURDY AND IT CAN HOLD A HEAVY HARVEST. YOU'RE SCULPTING THE TREE INTO ITS IDEAL FRUIT-GROWING STRUCTURE. SO, IT'S ME AND THE TREE WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS HARVEST, AND THAT IS SO MUCH FUN.
Akeylah says, I AGREE, PRUNING IS PRETTY FUN. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO WANTS TO GET INTO FRUIT GROWING?
Susan says, I THINK THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY LIKE IS FIND A COMMUNITY ORCHARD PROJECT OR SOME COMMUNITY INITIATIVE WHERE THEY'RE PLANTING AND CARING FOR FRUIT TREES. AND YOU CAN VOLUNTEER WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH THE TREES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. THEN IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU CAN GO TO ONE OF ONTARIO'S FABULOUS COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND STUDY HORTICULTURE AND THEN YOU CAN DO IT PROFESSIONALLY.
Akeylah says, OKAY, BEFORE WE GET BACK TO WORK, HOW ABOUT A SNACK?
Susan says, DEFINITELY.
[Crunching]
They pick up apples, tap them together, and eat them.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan rakes fallen apples into a pile. Akeylah puts an empty crate on the ground beside the pile.
Akeylah asks, SO HOW CAN WE USE THIS RAKE TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM?
Susan says, WELL, THE PROBLEM IS WE'VE GOT PESTS AND THEY MAKE THEIR BABIES IN THE FRUIT. AND THOSE PESTS WILL BE DORMANT OVER THE WINTER, BUT IN THE SPRING, THEY WILL COME OUT AND THEY WILL BE NASTY AND RUIN OUR TREES AND OUR FRUIT. SO, WE WANT TO COLLECT ALL THIS STUFF AND TAKE IT OFF THE SITE.
[Thumping]
Susan puts apples in the crate.
Susan says, SO THAT WE WON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM NEXT YEAR.
Akeylah says, OKAY, LET'S GET RAKING.
Susan gives Akeylah the rake.
Susan says, LET'S DO IT.
Akeylah rakes the apples, and Susan puts them into the crate.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah and Susan walk on the dirt road.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IF SOMEONE WANTED TO GROW A FRUIT TREE IN A CITY? WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Susan says, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA IF YOU'VE GOT A FRUIT TREE IN YOUR BACKYARD. YOU CAN GROW ENOUGH FRUIT FOR YOUR FAMILY. FOR YOUR FRIENDS. THERE MIGHT BE LEFTOVER TO GIVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY. SO, IT'S…THEY'RE WONDERFULLY PRODUCTIVE, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND. I THINK THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE IS FRUIT TREES NEED FULL SUN. A LOT OF SUN. EIGHT HOURS OF SUN A DAY. THEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO WATER THE TREE, FEED THE TREE PRUNE IT AND PROTECT IT FROM PEST AND DISEASES. THE FRUIT TREE, IT'S GONNA BE LIKE A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY AND IT CAN BE THERE GROWING FOR 20 TO 25 YEARS OR EVEN MORE. SO, THEY'RE PRETTY AWESOME.
Akeylah says, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah crouches in a tree.
Akeylah says, OVER HERE! OVER HERE! NO, OVER HERE! I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, TO TAKE CARE OF THE TREE, I MUST BECOME THE TREE. SO, WHILE I HANG OUT, LET'S CHECK OUT THE HISTORY OF FRUIT GROWING.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
In a video clip, Brody stands in front of a painting of the hanging gardens of Babylon. He holds up seven fingers.
Akeylah narrates, THE FIRST FARMED FRUIT PLANTS WERE PLANTED IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF BABYLON. THE HANGING GARDENS WERE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.
In front of a black-and-white photograph of a farm, Brody holds a rake and wipes his brow.
Akeylah narrates, THE NINETEENTH CENTURY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF COMMERCIAL FRUIT CULTIVATION FOR MOST FRUIT CROPS. IT WAS AFTER 1825 WHEN MOST OF THESE WILD PLANTS WERE DOMESTICATED.
Brody stands in front of a black-and-white photograph of a ship with refrigerated shipping crates. He eats an apple.
Akeylah narrates, OVER THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE INVENTION OF THE REFRIGERATED RAILROAD CAR CREATED AN EXPLOSION IN COMMERCIAL FRUIT PRODUCTION. NOW, FRUIT WOULDN'T GO BAD DURING TRAVEL.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a video clip, Brody points to Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario on a map.
Akeylah narrates, ONTARIO'S POSITION NEAR LAKES HURON, ERIE AND ONTARIO, COUPLED WITH SUITABLE SOILS, MEANS ONTARIO IS A SPECIAL SPOT TO GROW DELICIOUS FRUIT.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the orchard, Susan and Akeylah leave the dirt road and walk to the trees.
Akeylah narrates, AFTER A DAY OF TRADES TRAINING, IT WAS TIME TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOUR, SO WE HARVESTED SOME APPLES.
[Branches rustling]
Akeylah picks an apple off a branch and puts it in a bag. Susan throws an apple to Akeylah.
Susan says, HEY AKEYLAH, CATCH!
[Upbeat music continues]
They walk along rows of trees and pick more apples.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
In the skill space, Akeylah and Brody stand behind their work table.
Akeylah says, ALRIGHT, WE'VE GOT RAKES FOR RAKING, TRAPS FOR THOSE PESKY PESTS, AND PRUNING TOOLS.
[Thumping]
Brody and Akeylah pick up the pruning shears and return them to the table.
Brody says, AND THANKS TO THE SKILLED TRADES, WE HAVE THE PROPER KNOW-HOW TO MAKE OUR FRUIT TREE GROW NOW.
Akeylah says, IT'S TOO BAD WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT GROWING SEASON FOR THEM TO BLOSSOM.
Brody says, THAT'S TRUE. UNLESS WE FAST FORWARD.
[Clicking, fast-forward whirring]
Brody clicks a remote control. He and Akeylah rush in and out of the skills space. Akeylah returns carrying a basket of apples.
They both say, IT WORKED.
Akeylah says, AND MAYBE FRUIT GROWING WILL WORK FOR YOU.
Brody says, BUT EVEN IF IT DOESN'T, YOU CAN STILL PLANT THE SEED OF ANOTHER SKILLED TRADE, AND IT WILL HELP YOU CLIMB THE LADDER TO A FUN CAREER.
Both say, GOODBYE!
[Background chattering]
They each take an apple out of the basket.
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Tradesperson: Susan Poizner. Written and directed by Johnny Mitchell. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Apple Springs Orchards, Kyle Ardiel, Shane Ardiel. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
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