Small Family CSA Farm

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Worker Shares
Worker Shares
worker_shareWorker Shares stand-up hoeing kohlrabi. Worker Share Information:

Worker Shares are an optional share.  It is a wonderful way for local community members to develop a closer relationship to where their food comes from, learn about everthing that it takes to bring the food to the table, and maintain an active relationship with thier CSA farm.  However, work on the farm is hard.  We work in ALL weather conditions.  The work can be heavy and repetative and we may have to work when it is very hot, humid, windy, cold and in the pouring rain early in the morning.  

Shifts:

We offer two shifts per day on Mon, Tuesday, Thurs and Friday.
Monday, Thursday, Thursday and Friday the shifts are:
8:00am-11:15pm and 1:00-4:15.
Tuesday afternoon Packing Shift:  2pm-5:15pm
Saturday:  8:45am-12:00pm

You are welcome to choose one shift and stick to that shift every week of the summer for the full 20 weeks of the CSA Program. 

The work on the farm can be challenging.  We expect the worker shares to show up rain or shine.  It can be cold, hot or wet.  There is always work to be done on the farm no matter the weather and the work must get done!  It can be hot or cold outside and we expect the workers to show up with the hats, pants, shirts and garments required to work in the weather that is forecasted for the day.

No children under the age of 12 that need supervision are allowed to come during your work shift.

No dogs.

You must be in good physical condition to work on the farm.  Although you may think that you are in good physical condition, after a days work on the farm you may find that you have used muscles that you didn't know you had.  You may need to lift up to 40 lbs.  We do repetitive motions and it can be monotonous.  We squat, stoop, bend and kneel and these actions can be hard on the body.

Please note that the Worker Share Program is a 20-Week Commitment.  There are 52 weeks in one calendar year, so this means that the program runs almost half of one year.  It is a real commitment and the farmers need you to keep your commitment to the farm the same as the paying members keep their commitment to the farm.  Our farm reaches our membership goals before the start of the CSA deliveries, and often times we turn away paying members to keep a share slot for our working members.  If the working members decide that after the month of July that they are tired and don't want to work for their share any more, it costs the farm money.  Please carefuly consider the 20 Week Commitment before agreeing to become a worker share.  

We want you to find the worker share experience fun and fulfilling.  At the end of a season, you are sure to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is wholy fulfilling.  We look forward to sharing that wonderful feeling and experience with you.  
 
Worker Share FAQ's
worker_sharesWorker Shares working their final shift on a Monday morning of Week 20. Yeee Haw!What kind of work do we do?
You will have a chance to become involved in all aspects of vegetable harvest and post harvest handling including washing, bagging, bunching, weighing, counting and sorting vegetables.  You may weed, trellis, transplant, mulch.  Some jobs you may only do one time and some jobs you may do several times thru the summer.

I’ve never done farm work before.  How will I know what to do?
We will be working with you and each job will be taught to you.  You need to be able to listen, follow directions and work hard. Working hard means keeping your hands moving, not stopping and chatting with the person working next to you. (This doesn’t mean you can’t talk, you just have to keep working).

Can I share the responsibility with my spouse, partner, housemate, etc.?
It is best if one person in a household makes the commitment, but if you need a sub you can certainly send another household member to work your shift.

Is there a difference between the morning and afternoon shifts?
Yes, morning shifts are spent primarily in the fields harvesting (but sometimes there is work in the packing shed).  Afternoon shifts are spent primarily in the packing shed working with the vegetables that were harvested in the morning (but often there are outside jobs as well).

Can two of us come each week for 1 and a half hours?
No.  Leaving in the middle of a shift is not very satisfying for you and not as helpful for the farm.

When does the worker share begin?
The work begins the first week of June and continues through the second week of October. It coincides with the vegetable delivery season; this is when we need the most hands.

Can I work half of my Summer Share?
We prefer that you commit to the whole summer.  We sometimes make exceptions for teachers and students who simply cannot work once school begins in the fall.    

Can I bring my children or one child along?
No, children under the age of 12 that need supervision are not allowed to come as they can distract you from your shift.  We are working during our shifts. 

Can I bring my dog out with me?kale_harvestWorker Shares harvesting Kale early in the mornin'!
No, we have two dogs on the farm already and we know how much attention dogs require.

What if I need to miss a shift because of vacation, illness or other conflict?
You can make up your shift.  You can do this by working a double shift or two shifts in one week.  We will work out the details.

Can I work evenings or weekends?
No.  We do the farm work during the day, during the week.  We do have a morning shift available on Saturdays from 8:45-12:00.

What if my schedule changes mid season?
If you know your schedule will be changing mid season we can talk about it and plan accordingly.  If your schedule changes unexpectedly mid season, we will work with it.  In either case you will be able to switch to another shift that fits your schedule.

I am a teacher/student and can only work during summer vacation, is this possible?
Yes, we can work out a schedule so that you can come to work two shifts in one week for part of the summer, or start earlier so that you can end earlier.  Contact Jillian to work something out.  

Please do not bring your cell phones and talk on the phone during your shift.  You can leave your cell phone in your car and talk to whoever needs attention at the end of your shift.
 

Okay, I've read everything above and I want to do a worker share, what now?
Call the farm and ask for Jillian.  We will discuss what shift works best for you and talk about any other details.
 

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