Exchange Share
For 2025 we have a variety of opportunities to volunteer their time on the farm in exchange for a Farm Share. It’s a great way to be directly involved in the farm, and really get to know your farmers. Your time on the farm is really important to us. We do all the farm labor and during the week we need an extra set of hands to make the work go faster!
We have three Exchange Share options:
Full Season Exchange Share 20 Week CSA season June - October.
Summer Season Exchange Share Mid-June thru End of August.
Early Season Exchange Share - April & May (10 shifts towards a share)
Market Share Exchange. Shifts towards market share & market credit (Spring Green market)
4 hour shifts are 8am-Noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays or 1pm-5pm Wed. & Fridays
3 hour shifts are available in the mornings and Friday afternoons. The shorter shifts are usually credited towards online ordering or market credit. But can also be put towards a farm share.
Other ways to help - Everyone has skills to help out! There’s always something to do :)
Lawn mowing - & edging around buildings.
Babysitting - especially summer time. Either filling in when we are short, or specific days.
House cleaning, freezing / canning. etc.
Meals for farmers & staff
These are separate shifts from helping with farm tasks, so credit towards a share or farmers market.
Occasional shifts - we update help needs through shift sign ups.
Please read through the frequently asked questions
Please realize this is not easy work! And expectations are high. We work in all weather, hot, cold, rain, bugs etc. Exchange Share members need to be able to easily lift 30 lbs repeatedly, and be comfortable in kneeling, bending, lifting or standing for periods of time. Even if you think you are in decent physical shape please realize farming is a different more demanding experience than going to the gym or weeding your flower beds. This is also a commitment, we need folks that can commit to come for the entire season. We plan our weeks with the expectation that you’ll be there for your shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I be doing?
Each shift / day will have its own routine, though activities vary depending on the season. You’ll be involved in weeding, harvesting, washing or packing, and some transplanting. Examples: Wednesdays tend to be focused on wash/harvest/pack for share deliveries. Fridays we harvest for farmers market and also work on tasks not finished during the week. April - July we do a lot of transplanting & weeding, August - October focus moves to big harvests while continuing weeding and transplant maintenance. April & May work is a mixture of transplanting in the field or greenhouse work.
I’ve never worked on a farm, how will I know what to do?
Each job will be explained. We’ve spent a lot of time training people. You need to be able to listen carefully, follow directions and work hard. Working hard means keeping your hands moving, not stopping and chatting with the person working next you. (This doesn’t mean you can’t talk, you just have to keep working).
Can I share the responsibility/shifts with friend / spouse / housemate, etc?
It’s best that just one person per household makes a commitment per Exchange Share.
Can I be a worker share for a smaller share?
Yes, see the early season or mid-season work-share option. We also have options to work towards credit for online ordering or farmers market. We appreciate all help, but some consistency for planning is helpful for us.
Can I bring my child with me?
No, this is not geared for children.
Honestly the folks that have the best time doing this are parents that come solo who enjoy 3-4 hours doing something really different from their usual routine.
Can I bring my dog with me?
No. (We have a sweet old lab who’s arthritis doesn’t need the stress of another dog.)
What if I need to miss a shift due to illness, travel, or work?
You can make up a shift at a later time. The sooner we know the better so we can make arrangements. We try to work with folks schedules as much as we can. Though if you expect to consistently miss shifts during the season this may not be a good fit for working towards a share as it starts to get tricky to do make up shifts.
Can I work weekends?
No, most of our work is during the week. While your farmers do work weekends, we do tasks that are not as structured for volunteers.
What if my schedule changes mid season?
Please let us know as soon as possible. We may be able to work out a different schedule for you on the farm.
I’m a Teacher / Student and can only work during vacation?
We offer the Summer Season Exchange share Mid-June thru August. Start & End Dates TBD.
Orientation
Ideally we would like to have you come to the farm before your commitment begins to meet us and see what it’s like here. The plant sale in May is a good opportunity for this. This isn’t required, but can be a good time to ask questions and be familiar with the farm layout.
Still Interested? Send us an email with answers to these questions:
What about working on the farm sparked your interest?
What do you do? (employment, hobbies, volunteer work, etc)
What physical activities are part of your life?
What do see as your possible weak point?
Which shift would you like to work? Please list two or three possibilities, in order of preference. If only one shift will work for you, let me know.
Send us an email at farmers@steadfast-acres.com
