We’ve had many farm crews throughout our of years of farming. All of our farm crews were great for where we were with the farm and what we were striving to grow at that time.
We had full-time, full-season (May – November) farm crews made up of college students and young people interested in developing careers sustainable agriculture and farms of their own. We had farm crews of all part-time staff of career changers with new members being added in each season (early summer, late summer, fall and winter). We had summer only high school student farm crews who joined us to learn the basics of hard work at their first job.
For the time and place of the farm’s evolution right now, our H2A farm crew is just the right fit. What makes us say this?
Dedication. We’ve worked with our current farm crew for three years and they live on the farm with us. They arrived in Chicago in mid-March and will be heading home to Mexico in mid-November. They are taking time away their family and friends back home to help us grow food.
This 8-month commitment to growing food in the Midwest means they are taking on the challenge of growing in a different environment and they are dedicated to ongoing learning. While here, the team works along us on everything from vegetable production field work to educational garden set up to regenerative farmland management to re-starting an animal husbandry program.
Creativity. Our team’s willingness to experiment and develop new ideas with Jeff means that together, we’ve found clever solutions to challenges. This team-based approach to problem solving is fun, inspiring and gives everyone a chance to contribute towards what will work best for all.
Care. We acknowledge that we’re lucky to have such caring people on our team. David, Cleto, Anacleto and Miguel’s experiences from Mexico and their last several years of farming experience with us means everyone can contribute.
Often, Jeff refers to Cleto and David to quickly remember details on our organic crop rotations. These two are on the constant lookout for crop readiness to help with harvest planning and help to identify potential pest pressures before they happen.
Miguel helps to remember all of the harvest counts. Anacleto, Jeff and I often all come running from our houses when we hear a strange sound coming from the animals.
Willingness to Change. As we’ve transitions towards caring for more on the farm, our systems, daily decisions and year-long work plans are shifting. This means, we plans are not always perfect and we all needs to stay flexible. That said, we and our team all share a level of care and pride in our newest endeavors and projects. We’re hopeful in the coming months, you’ll have a chance to see the changes in person at an upcoming event.
Thanks to our farm team’s dedication, creativity, care and willingness to change, Jeff and I are reassured knowing we’re all caring for the farm together.
Your farming team,
~Jeff, Jen, David, Cleto, Anacleto and Miguel