Worker Share information
LotFotL Community Farm
www.lotfotl.com262-951-0794
2010 Worker Share Information
Information and FAQ
The worker share program is the backbone of LotFotL's CSA. We enlist members of the CSA to work with us in the fields, at farmer's markets, on delivery routes, or in other capacities. In exchange for this season long commitment, we exchange a commensurate amount of produce, a weekly CSA share for a 4 hour weekly work commitment. Your produce will be ready for pick-up upon completion of your work shift. All work options are detailed below.
Not only is the worker share program a great opportunity for us, it is for you also. The work brings out the best in people, challenges them physically and mentally, and introduces you to some of the finest folks out there, many of whom share your values, your concerns, and mostly your love for high quality, certified organic produce, and small farms to boot. You will get a backstage pass to how food is grown in a medium scale operation, and get to know the farmer's too.
Tasks that worker shares can expect to work at, while varying due to abilities, seasonal need, or the shift you take, are those needing the most hands. Worker shares in 2009 have helped us harvest large crops like onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, assisting with weeding, and chipped in on post harvest cooling, sorting, and cleaning of produce, as well as plastic mulch retrieval, and some transplanting. We basically see what is the most pressing, most daunting task for the week, and seek out worker share help in completing these tasks. Worker shares typically work as their own unit engaged one monolithic task. This isn't always the case though. This work is done with direct supervision and guidance from LotFotL employees, or at the very least with clear instruction.
This is farm work, typically of medium intensity. Appropriate candidates will be of good health, capable of lifting 80lb, able to work in the sun, sleet, or cold outdoor weather that life in Wisconsin mandates. You will bend, stoop, lift, pull, and use your body in many ways that terrestrial life in the postmodern age does not typically call upon. This is a positive or negative side of working on a farm, depending on you. It is though most definitely a reality of the worker share program. We have some ability to find work for those who are not quite as durable, or have some need for indoor-type work, but this too is not office work. Worker shares are covered by LotFotL's work comp. policy, and are classified as employees.
-We discourage the use of cell phones during your shift.
-We will try to not have you standing around waiting for us to come up with things for you to do. We expect in return not to be standing around waiting for you to arrive for your shift. If you cannot be prompt, at least call so we know to expect you. 3 late showings for your shift may result in a cancellation of your membership.
-Children may or may not be allowed to come along with you during your shift, depending on your confidence level that your child will not be in the way of you working hard during your shift. We have many pot lucks and events during the year that are child-friendly.
-Pets of yours are not allowed on the farm, especially not during your work shift.
-We expect you to work one consistent shift throughout the year, every Tuesday from 8-noon, for example. If your availability changes, we will work with you to put you into a different shift. If you are a teacher, or involved in a career that does not allow you to be available for the duration of the season (mid may-November), we can come up with a plan of how to condense your hours.
-We discourage people from working ½ shifts.
-All farm work is done during the weekdays, and cannot be made up on the weekend.
-You may partner up with a friend or family member to work through your hours more swiftly, if desired.
-If you fail to meet your commitment to make your work shift, your share for the week will be forfeited, unless you've made prior arrangements with us.
-Worker share spaces are reserved for last year's crew first. We will have openings for new members nonetheless.
Select which of the below shifts you'd be interested in working
Work Shifts-tentative
- Tuesday 8am-noon
- Tuesday 1-5pm
- Friday 8-noon
- Friday 1-5pm
- Market shift (very limited/not available) Saturdays, 8-noon
- Delivery shift (very limited) Wednesday, noon-5pm
- Farm Stand shift (tentative) Monday-Saturday 10-6pm, June 21-Oct. 25th
Types of Shares associated with amount of work
- Full Worker "Free"-26 week CSA share for 26 weeks of work (4hours/wk)
- MEOW (member every other week) worker $60- 13 shifts every other week (4 hours/ every other week) for 13 every other week CSA share
- 50/50 worker $350-13 flexible shifts (4 hours) for a 26 week CSA share
Other arrangements than these can be made. Let us know if you can contribute in another way. To sign up or for more information, call or email Tim@lotfotl.com, or give a call. 262-951-0794. Thanks for reading!
