Information for Working Members

We invite members to work on our farm.  This is an optional opportunity for you to see the farm, learn about vegetable growing, get some firsthand experience, and help us out.  We enjoy getting to know you better through this experience as well!  Working members receive a rebate on their membership fee.  Workers perform important work that needs to be done in a timely fashion.  You will need to arrive on time, follow instructions, and work carefully.

●Schedule: Members work only during scheduled 4 hour long work shifts.  Our member work schedule below shows the times available.  The schedule will also be on our website where we will update it regularly.  AM shifts are from 8-12pm.  PM shifts are from 1-5pm.  Members choose to work as many shifts as they like.

●Work: Member workers may plant seeds, transplant, hand weed, harvest, clean produce, and pack boxes.  This work is physical, requiring light lifting, repetitive motions, bending, kneeling, and squatting.  We will train you in the work.  You don’t need prior experience; you do need to follow our instructions carefully.  We work in all weather except dangerous lightening or hail. 

●Children: Children age 11 or older are welcome to come along as volunteer helpers, but we only count the time of the primary working member (it is best if we know in advance so that we are able to plan projects). Children 10 and younger of working members are welcome only if a second adult comes along who will be available to supervise them at all times.  Hazards exist on the farm such as machinery, electric fences, fuel/oil, etc.  

●Scheduling Your Work Shifts: We have several members interested in working.  It’s important to us to organize the process of scheduling work shifts so it does not take an enormous amount of our time and detract from our ability to raise vegetables and maintain other farm entities.  If you would like to work, please follow these steps to schedule your shifts:

1. Check the member work schedule on the back of this sheet or on our webpage to find shifts that are convenient for you www.smithgardensfarm.com/workingmember.html 
2. On your membership signup form, list the shifts which you would like to work.  If you have already mailed us your signup form and you wish to schedule a work shift, email or call with the date(s) you wish to work, the number of working adults who will attend, and the number and ages of children who will attend.
3. We will confirm your shifts within 48 hrs of receiving your signup form, call, or email. 
4. Please take your commitment seriously and arrive on time for your scheduled shift.  If you need to cancel a shift, please do so 2 weeks in advance, unless there’s an emergency.  You can reschedule a cancelled shift if there’s another shift open later in the year.

●Rebate: We offer a $20 rebate on the cost of membership for each shift worked by an adult.  E.g.: if two adults work a shift together, the rebate is $40.  If you schedule your shifts when you sign up, you can deduct your rebate from the cost of your membership.  If you schedule your shift later, then we will mail you your rebate after you work your shift.  You are only entitled to a rebate if you arrive for your shift on time, complete the entire shift, and make a good faith effort to work carefully.  If you don’t meet these criteria, you agree to refund us the rebate which you deducted from your membership fee.

●Work Shift Preparation: Bring a water bottle for the field, sunscreen or protective clothing, rain gear, a hat, and gloves.  Wear shoes that can get wet/muddy.  Dress in layers to accommodate the weather and warming up while working.  Bring a change of clothes or a towel to sit on if case you get really dirty and don’t want to get your car dirty.  Bring snacks if needed. Please do not bring pets.