Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: Working share advice

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Shari Sirkin <sasfarm AT hevanet.com>
  • To: market farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Working share advice
  • Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 20:19:54 -0800 (PST)


I've had forms of working shares for 3 years now. Members got a 25%
discount in exchange for 14 or 25 hours on the farm (depending if they
were getting whole or half shares). It has worked excellently,
to fairly OK, to not well at all (ie, more hassle than work received).

I'd say a key to success is not just knowing the person, but
having had experience *working* with them, on the farm, to ascertain if
they really can do the physical tasks necessary to actually be of help.
We had it mentioned in the brochure that work shares were
available, and to call for more information. If it was someone who had
volunteered the prior year, and I knew they could work, they were in. If I
hadn't worked with them before, I asked them to come out and work with us
for a few hours, like a "working interview", to see how they would work
out. One woman realized after a few hours it woudn't have worked after
all... for another guy, it worked out fantastically. Don't feel bad about
asking them to come out so you can see how they work; ultimately, they're
getting an excellent deal.

Working members paid up front like the others, just less according to our
agreement.

Overall, I think it is an invaluable way to have members get that much
more involved with the farm. Also, most working members put in far more
hours than was agreed to.

Shari Sirkin
Grinning Goat & Dancin' Roots Farm
Portland, OR





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page