Colchester Farm Community Supported Agriculture Page 3
2006 Annual Report
Who grows and picks all those vegetables?
In 2006, we had a great crew who worked hard to provide CSA members with a fresh variety of vegetables and a positive and educational experience. This was a year of transition with new CSA manager, Theresa Mycek, taking over for Andy Andrews. With her previous experience as assistant manager and a great team, she was able to make the transition a smooth one. Sharon Bidaure, coming from a background of computer software testing, but desiring a change in lifestyle, worked hard and learned lots while interning at the farm from May through October. We also had a student of St. John’s College, Eleanor Mathis, intern for 6 weeks during her summer break. She helped out in all aspects of the operation and enjoyed selling our produce at the Chestertown Farmers’ Market.
Hope Clark and Shannon Holste worked part-time helping us harvest, wash, and package vegetables for CSA pick-ups. Ivey Mask drove from Dover, DE to the farm to help harvest and then to pick up produce for herself and nine others. It was a bonus when her husband Jeff would accompany her and help us out. We also had a group of three families who chose to do our Work Share Program: the Ginn, Strause, and Lloyd families. They would come once a week, often with their children, to help harvest and wash vegetables. In exchange they received a share of produce each week.
Internships Available
For our fifth season, Colchester Farm is looking for a team of 4 full-time interns who will work closely with the CSA manager in all aspects of our farm operation. We are offering one 7-month position (May-October) and three 3-month positions (end of May to end of August) This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainable vegetable production, marketing, Community Supported Agriculture, and educational programs.
Interns learn the most by doing. Most of an intern’s time is spent producing vegetables alongside the CSA manager who will instruct them in a wide range of activities including soil preparation, transplant production, greenhouse management, planting, weeding, insect and disease control, compost preparation, irrigation, harvesting, packaging, CSA marketing and distribution.
Interns will also have the chance to participate in discussions and on-farm seminars with topics such as non-profit organization, the organic certification program, crop rotation, insect and weed management, and the history of agriculture. We also announce opportunities for, and encourage visits to, other farms and participation in workshops and informational meetings.
Interns enjoy comfortable on-farm housing, plentiful vegetables, and a bi-weekly stipend of $300-$400 depending upon experience and skills.
