Colchester Farm Community Supported Agriculture                                                               Page 2
2007 Annual Report

Mission Statement CFCSA is a community-based organization that grows pesticide-free vegetables, provides wholesome food, and offers education on sustainable agriculture to its members and surrounding communities. It strives to be an alternative model of farming, dedicated to maintaining the agricultural heritage of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Vision CFCSA will lead and inspire a broad movement of people who eat and live in close relationship with their communities and the land. CFCSA will be economically and environmentally self-sustaining and will be recognized as an alternative model of sustainable agriculture by the people of the Eastern Shore. Values The work of CFCSA is driven by a core set of values: Land Stewardship — Farming has been a defining characteristic of the Eastern Shore heritage for hundreds of years. We must preserve farmland and farming if we are to pass on that heritage intact into the future. Community — People thrive in communities which bond them together and provide them support. We will be active participants in a vibrant Eastern Shore community, drawing our support from our neighbors and returning that support through all our activities. Support for Our Workers — The mission of CFCSA is achieved only through the efforts of its employees and volunteers. All work on behalf of the CSA will be highly valued and those who work for pay will have a sustainable livelihood. Accessibility — We will work to make our food and education programs available to all members of our community, regardless of income. Approved by CSA Board 12/6/07

Who grows and picks all those vegetables? In 2007, we had a great crew who worked hard to provide CSA members with a fresh variety of vegetables and a positive and educational experience. Theresa Mycek returned for her second year as CSA manager. She was joined by John Arbuckle, bringing his enthusiasm and love of the outdoors, Christina Bell and Emily Richardson, both recent graduates of Washington College with Environmental Studies interest as well as Natalie Comfort and Shannon Holste who all chose to spend their summer learning about sustainable agriculture. They worked hard helping us plant, weed, harvest, and distribute vegetables for our CSA members. We also were joined by the Betleys, a wonderful family who chose to do our Work Share Program. Christine and her children, Seth, Bryan, Maya and Audrey, would come once and sometimes twice a week to help harvest and wash vegetables in exchange for a fun, learning experience and a share of produce each week. Ivey Mask volunteered as a neighborhood representative from Dover, DE coordinating the pick up and delivery of produce for herself and nine others. We couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you.

Internships Available For our sixth 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. The length of an internship ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 months (April to November). 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 responsibilities 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 housing, plentiful vegetables, and a bi-weekly stipend of $300-$400 depending upon experience and skills.