What is a Working Share?
This program is intended to offer an opportunity to receive a Harvest Share in exchange for working on the farm, in the farm store, or at our Toronto pickup location. Rather than paying for your share with money, working share members commit to working with us 1 day per week from mid-June through to the end of October and receive a share of the harvest in exchange. Like regular shareholders, working shareholders will not be expected to work the weeks they will be away.
How Many Hours per Week?
The number of hours you work with us each week will determine the size of share you receive. For those who only want a small share, we will only expect 4 hours of work each week; to receive a medium share, you would work with us for 6 hours; for a large share, you would work 9 hours, and for an extra large share, you would work with us for a full day.
Weekly Schedule
We ask that working shares choose a regular weekly shift at the beginning of the season and stick to it for the season so that they can become experts in their activities. We are able to offer the following shift options:
In the field: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning or afternoon shifts
In the farm store: Thursday afternoon/evening or Saturday morning shifts
At the Toronto pickup location: Tuesday afternoon/evening shifts
What’s it Like?
The working share is designed to help realize Everdale’s educational mandate and to develop our connections within the community. Farming is energetic and rewarding work. Whether you are in the field, the store, or at the Toronto pickup, working shares are for those who enjoy physical work. You will work alongside our farm staff and interns, learning how we grow and sell our produce. You will be trained and become proficient at your tasks, and become an integral part of the farm.
Becoming a Working Shareholder
If you would like to participate in this program, please contact carl@everdale.org or (519) 855-4859 ext. 106 before registering for your Harvest Share. Then, when you do register, indicate “Working Share” in the “Payment” section of the Registration Form.
Later in the spring, we will be hosting an information session on the working share program which you will be required to attend to get a better sense of what it means to be a working share at Everdale and to confirm the arrangement in writing. If at that point you change your mind, you can simply ask to become a regular shareholder and pay for your produce, or you can decide to cancel your share. Similarly, if you decide the program’s not right for you after a few days working with us as a working share, you can simply ask to become a regular shareholder and pay for your produce for the rest of the season, or cancel your share.
Contact
If you are interested in applying to be a working shareholder, please contact me.
Thank you for your interest!
Carl Leslie
Farm Manager
Everdale Organic Farm
(519) 855-4859 ext. 106
