Work Share Information
To sign up for Work Shares, click on RFFR Forms, download CSA Brochure, print, fill out sign up sheet, and mail in sheet.
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Thank you for your interest in our Work Share Program! This program is not designed as a supplemental income but as an internship/apprenticeship with benefits. We hope our program meets a variety of your needs. We invite you to use the farm as a resource to gain knowledge, improve skills, participate in the production of your food, build community relationships, strengthen self reliance, as well as physical exercise and mental therapy. In turn, the Work Shares provide our farm with needed help, making small acreage agriculture more sustainable. By participating as a Work Share you build a farm account that can be used to purchase farm produce. It is a win-win cooperative effort. Let's talk about the How, When and What of this program.
The Work Share Commitment
How Many Work Hours
Full Share = 5 adult hours a week for 20 weeks (100 hours during the season)
Half Share = 3 adult hours a week for 20 weeks (60 hours during the season)
When Do I Work
Standard Work Share Season: Last full week of May through first full week of October (20 weeks)
Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm -- Tuesday - Friday (schedule assigned/worked out with us)
Work Share hours are most needed during the gardening season, but opportunities to begin building you Ongoing Flexible CSA account begin in February and possibilities to put in time may be available throughout the year. If you are in need of flexibility with your Work Share hours outside of the Standard Work Share season please let us know.
As we plan the work schedule please let us know if there are days of the week that work best for you. We will accommodate your needs as best we can. After the schedule is made we will be counting on your help the day you are scheduled. We know that there are times that conflicts arise. We will need to know ASAP if there is a problem.
Mornings are definitely the best time to be out in the garden for most of the summer. We do have some flexibility. However, our normal work share hours will be from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Work shares are invited to join us for a light lunch at 12:30. Potluck items are welcome but not required.
You should expect to be doing many things to help with the success of the gardens i.e. planting, weeding, hoeing, harvesting and cleaning of produce. We know that some will have physical limitations. We are willing to align tasks for individual needs. We will be providing tools and will have them in the general you will be working that day. If you wish you may bring your own gloves as we do not provide them. Plan for one of us to be out working with you. If you have any questions please ask. We see this as an opportunity to learn and grow together.
Family is one of our highest values. Your children are welcome and we try to create a friendly environment where children can work and play. However, children will be the responsibility of the work share parent while on the farm. If time becomes divided between work and children, we expect the work share member to adjust his/her work hours to fulfill the commitment. Some may wish to have their children work with them, which can create some great learning opportunities. We acknowledge that working with family is one of the reason that motivated us to choose farming as a lifestyle. Feel free to use the farm as a tool to teach your children. However, children’s hours should not be counted toward the adult hour commitment.
What Are The Benefits
Along with knowledge, skills, relationships, and improved health, Work Shares get a farm account to purchase farm products.
Accounts build by the hour, 1 hour of work equals $5 of farm products. A Full Share = $500 and a Half Share = $300 of farm products per season. Extra hours will be rewarded at the same rate and there is no limit to the hours you wish to accumulate.
We look forward to our association with each of our work shares. We have found the hard work to be very rewarding and we enjoy the bond of friendship that comes from working together. These associations have become priceless to us. We appreciate those who have shared a little of their lives with us.
If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected] or (307) 880-RFFR (7337). Thanks again from all of us at Robinson Family Farm and Ranch!