TL;DR

We harvested bok choy, sunflowers, summer squash, cucumbers, lettuce, and eggplants, then packed the van for CSA pickups in Essex.

Also, the pigs and chickens are healthy, well-fed, and well-watered.

School Is Soon Back in Session

The crew was small today because there are a few folks who help us during the summer that have jobs in the local school systems. In preparation for the new school year, these folks generally have to start about a week or two before, so they are no longer available for farm work.

So where we sometimes had upwards of eight people planting and harvesting together a month ago, today it was four (myself, Jamie, and two others). This is just the normal labor variability a small farm has to deal with.

A Short Post Today

I have to make it a short writing morning. There are numerous things now slowing down the actual writing process, rather than speeding them up as I hoped. There was a parent-teacher thing at the high school last night…yes we have a high schooler now.

There were a few notable things today, namely:

• as I watered the chickens, I thought up an semi-automated watering system much like the drip irrigation in my back deck container garden
• the pollen in the eggplants was so heavy that it induced a minor sneezing fit
• the row cover on the bok choy still didn’t keep the flea beetle out completely
• the deer are ignoring the fence to get to our lettuces in the top field

In short, it was a busy day with a lot of work to do, but also some interesting ideas and observations. And I get to do it again today and tomorrow. :)

Consolidated Summary

Main Themes

1. Farm Operations: Harvesting crops (sunflowers, bok choy, eggplants, etc.), animal care (chickens, pigs), and logistical tasks (CSA pickups, equipment maintenance).
2. Seasonal Labor: Temporary staff turnover linked to school schedules, reliance on seasonal workforce, and staffing challenges.
3. Logistics & Coordination: Transporting produce, managing CSA schedules, and maintaining farm equipment (gator, electric fence).
4. Water Management: Ensuring proper water distribution for animals and addressing leaks from tilted water jugs.
5. Staffing & Sustainability: Limited staff during peak seasons, need for recruitment or partnerships, and seasonal workforce planning.

Key Activities

• Harvesting & Processing: Sunflowers, bok choy, eggplants, cucumbers, and squash were harvested and prepared for packing. Lettuce was washed, cut, and refrigerated.
• Animal Care: Watering and feeding chickens and pigs, ensuring water jugs were level to prevent leaks.
• Equipment Use: Ridden a gator for feed transport, maintained the electric fence, and closed the gate.
• Coordination: Worked with Jamie and a guest volunteer, managed CSA logistics, and ensured timely pickups.

New Observations

• Guest Volunteer: A temporary addition to the crew, increasing team size.
• CSA Logistics: Transporting lettuce to a specific pickup location, highlighting coordination needs.
• Equipment Use: Familiarity with the gator and electric fence, which are critical for farm operations.
• Water Management Issue: Leaks from tilted water jugs, prompting a need for adjustments.

Questions for Future Research

1. How can the farm optimize water usage to reduce waste?
2. What strategies can address seasonal labor shortages and staff turnover?
3. How to align harvest schedules with CSA pickup times for perishable crops?
4. What maintenance protocols ensure the gator and electric fence function year-round?
5. How to improve staff retention or recruitment during peak seasons?

Action Suggestions

1. Track Water Jugs: Document leak patterns to implement fixes (e.g., leveling jugs or alternative systems).
2. Optimize CSA Scheduling: Coordinate with the CSA to ensure timely pickups for perishables.
3. Train Staff on Equipment: Ensure all workers understand maintenance and operation of the gator and electric fence.
4. Develop a Staffing Plan: Plan for seasonal labor needs, possibly through partnerships or recruitment strategies.
5. Monitor Workforce Trends: Track staff turnover and adjust staffing strategies to meet demand.

This summary integrates key themes, activities, and actionable insights to streamline farm operations and address challenges effectively.

Part 1

Main Themes

1. Farm Operations: Harvesting, crop management, and animal care.
2. Seasonal Labor: Temporary staff and seasonal workforce dynamics.
3. Logistics and Coordination: Transporting produce, CSA pickups, and equipment maintenance.
4. Water Management: Ensuring proper water distribution for chickens and pigs.
5. Staffing Challenges: Limited staff due to school preparations and seasonal turnover.

Activities Performed by the Intern

1. Arrival and Preparation:
   • Arrived at 8:30 AM due to a delay.
   • Washed lettuce while waiting for Jamie.
2. Harvesting:
   • Harvested sunflowers, bok choy, eggplants (Italian and Japanese), cucumbers, and squash.
   • Stripped sunflowers and placed them in cold water.
3. Processing and Packing:
   • Washed, packed, and refrigerated lettuce.
   • Cut additional lettuce and packed it for the CSA.
4. Animal Care:
   • Watered chickens and pigs (30 gallons in the morning and evening).
   • Fed chickens and pigs.
   • Ensured water jugs were level to prevent leaks.
5. Equipment and Maintenance:
   • Ridden a gator to transport feed.
   • Closed the gate and turned on the electric fence for Jamie.
6. Coordination:
   • Collaborated with Jamie and a guest volunteer.
   • Handled CSA logistics (pickup location for lettuce).

New Things Encountered

1. Special Guest Volunteer: A regular crew member’s cousin, increasing the team size temporarily.
2. CSA Pickup Logistics: Transporting lettuce to a specific location for the CSA.
3. Electric Fence and Gator Usage: Managing equipment for farm operations.
4. Water Jugs and Leaks: Addressing water management issues in animal care.

Questions and Future Research

1. Seasonal Labor Trends: How does the farm manage staff turnover as school starts?
2. Water Efficiency: Can adjusting water jug placement or using alternative systems reduce waste?
3. CSA Coordination: How can the farm better align harvest schedules with CSA pickup times?
4. Equipment Maintenance: What steps can be taken to ensure the gator and electric fence are functional for all seasons?
5. Staffing Challenges: How can the farm recruit or retain workers during peak seasons?

Suggestions for Action

1. Document Water Management Issues: Track instances of water jug leaks to identify patterns or solutions.
2. Optimize CSA Scheduling: Coordinate with the CSA to ensure timely pickups, especially for perishable crops.
3. Train Staff on Equipment Use: Ensure all workers understand how to maintain and operate the gator and electric fence.
4. Develop a Staffing Plan: Plan for seasonal labor needs, including recruitment or partnerships with local farms.
5. Monitor Seasonal Workforce Trends: Track staff turnover and adjust staffing strategies to meet demand.