A "work share" is an option for people who would like to pay for their vegetables with labor instead of money. We've had lots of interest in our work shares this year, which is terrific. More hands for harvesting and weeding! Allow me to clarify some frequent points of confusion.
When?
You can come any day from Monday to Saturday. Weekdays we're now beginning at 7:30am and working until 3:30pm (I say that, but it never ends that early...). Weekends the work shares are in a strict 4-hour window from 9am-1pm. It is most convenient for us to have your help on Tuesday (you can show up as late as 11am) and Saturday mornings when we're harvesting, because we need the help, it's easy to incorporate new-comers into the harvest, and your share will be ready right when it's time for you to leave. If you'd like to come other days, it helps (but is not necessary) to call in advance so you will know where to find us on the farm. There's lots of work all the time, so don't be shy.
Your Reward
In return for four hours of your labor, you get one "share" of that week's harvest. It's generally about a grocery-bag full, which tends to feed between 2-4 adults for a week. If two adults work, you get two shares. You also get the priveledge of harvesting whatever you'd like from our you-pick list. In fact, our regular work sharers tend to get better shares because they become familiar with the farm and they know where to retrieve the delicious morsels that tend to be discarded or left behind in the fields (without, of course taking what we are saving for the future harvests). Also, work sharers and volunteers get special preference when it's time to hire our paid staff the following spring. Some of my best co-workers began as work sharers (and vice versa).
Your Physique
We appreciate your efforts regardless of your brute strength. If you're not sure if you're up to the job, give it a try--you might be surprised. It's hard work in the hot sun, but a little enthusiasm means a lot. Be clear with us if you have any health issues, and please do not do any work that might harm you. We will ask that you sign a liability release form, and you are NOT covered by workers' compensation as a volunteer, so be sure you are adequately covered by health insurance.
No Commitment
We're keeping a list of names with phone numbers and e-mails of interested individuals so we can contact you if there's a change of plans or if we are especially in need of help. But you don't need to sign up in advance or commit to certain days. We'll be happy if we see you, we'll survive if we don't.
Getting Here
Call or e-mail us for directions if you plan to get here by car. Also, the farm is accessible by bus from the Addison Road metro (the Blue line) on weekdays. On Saturdays, we are usually happy to pick you up at the Suitland metro station at 8:45am if you make arrangements with us in advance.
What to Bring
The most important thing to remember is your water bottle. We have lots of delicious, potable water to refill your bottle, but it's not available while we're in the field. Dress for the weather, and be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if it might be sunny. Be prepared to get VERY DIRTY and VERY HOT. We work rain or shine, and if it's a harvest day, we work in the rain in the muddy fields. If it's not a harvest, we can work under cover. We have tools and gloves for you to use, but if you have a pocket knife, it can be handy. Also, if you have gloves you prefer, you might want to bring your own (our box of spare gloves does not offer a terrific selection).
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