Worker Share Program

Folks who work at the farm develop a special relationship with the way their food is raised, the farm that raises it and the people who work there. Organic vegetable production is labor-intensive and nature-friendly. We believe it produces food with a higher nutritional value and better flavor.

In exchange for their choice of fresh, delicious, healthy vegetables, herbs and fruit, Worker Shares agree to work 3-4 hours per week for approximately 18 weeks.

Some Field Worker Shares help with the many and varied jobs in the fields.  These include weeding, watering, cultivating, transplanting, laying drip tape, installing row cover, etc. etc. and occasionally bending, squatting or even crawling around on your hands and knees, depending on the amount of work, time of year and weather conditions. Field Worker Shares start in late June or July and stop in late October/early November.

Other Field Worker Shares work outside, picking, bunching, sorting, etc. for that week's farmer's market.

Barn Worker Shares operate primarily in the barn, washing, sorting, weighing, portioning, packaging and boxing produce for that week's farmer's market..

For all Worker Share positions, prior experience is not necessary, willingness to learn is. We will train you in the various jobs you will be required to do, and the most efficient way of doing them. We expect you to work hard, keep moving, finish the jobs assigned and ask questions as needed. Preferably, Worker Shares will be at least 18 years old and have their own transportation.

Barn and Field Worker Share shifts are 3-4 hours long, once a week. They run approximately 18 weeks, until the end of October.

Worker Shares take their produce home with them at the end of their shift.  Picking and washing takes place after a shift is finished.

We have a number of Worker Share positions available:

• 1 barn position on Thursday afternoon, 1-5pm, to start early to mid August. 

• 2 field positions on Friday morning, 8am to noon.
        - 1 position to start late June and end Oct. 30, 2026.
        - 1 position to start late July and end Oct. 30, 2026.

• 2 barn positions on Friday afternoon, 1-5pm, starts late June and ends Oct. 30, 2026.

• 1 farmer’s market position on Saturday morning in West Bend, 7 to 11:30am, starts mid July.

• 1 House Garden position starting in late April or early May with flexible hours, usually ends by Labor Day--a great choice for teachers 
      

You can also DESIGN A WORKER SHARE POSITION to fit your schedule, or ask us for suggestions. Chuck and I are flexible on days and hours as long as your work takes place on weekdays, not weekends.  We've had folks work in our orchard, or weed in the fields after work, and these have been very useful to the farm. 

The Thursday afternoon Barn Worker Share prepares vegetables for Saturday’s West Bend Farmer’s Market. Their duties involve washing, bunching, weighing, bagging, portioning and boxing some of the produce we’ll take to the market. This position starts early to mid August.

Friday morning Field Worker Shares harvest produce for Saturday’s West Bend Farmer’s Market. Their duties involve digging, picking, sorting, bunching, counting, boxing, etc., as well as a fair amount of bending, squatting or even crawling around on their hands and knees, moving heavy boxes (up to 40 lbs.) from the field to the truck, then into the barn. Friday morning field Worker Shares start on a staggered basis. 

Friday afternoon Barn Worker Shares prepare the vegetables for Saturday’s West Bend Farmer’s Market. Their duties involve washing, bunching, weighing, bagging, portioning and boxing the produce we’ll take to the market. Friday afternoon barn Worker Shares have a staggered start and end on Oct. 30, 2026.

The Saturday morning Market Worker Share helps us at our stand at the West Bend Farmer’s Market. Duties include setting up and taking down the stand, stocking, selling, waiting on customers, adding up purchases and making correct change. Excellent math and people skills are a must. The Saturday morning market Worker Share starts at 7am and ends at 11:30am, a 4 ½ hour shift. Their first day is Saturday July 11, 2026 and their last day is Oct. 31, 2026.

The House Garden Worker Share helps plant, weed and maintain the flower and herb beds in the House Garden. The House Garden Worker Share also helps to pot up extra plants from the Garden for sale at the West Bend Farmer’s Market, turns the compost heap, and cuts the grass on the paths and around the edges. Benefits of this position are the flexible hours, permission to cut bouquets and receipt of extra plants and bulbs. The House Garden WS starts in early May weeding, preparing and planting the beds, dividing and repotting plants, and ends around Labor Day.

Whichever Worker Share position you choose, remember that farm work is physical. It helps to be in reasonable shape because of the bending and lifting involved.

Both field and barn Worker Shares need proper clothing to handle wet, dry, hot and cold weather. Rain gear and rubber boots are recommended for both positions (you would be surprised how wet you can get washing vegetables inside the barn). Field workers will also need hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and water bottle. Footwear can be boots or tennis shoes, but never sandals or flip flops.

How it works:

1.  Sign up for one of the shifts above by filling out a Worker Share Application.

2.  Record your arrival and departure times on your Worker Share timesheet.  

3.  At the end of your shift, choose which produce you want to take home with you.  Fill out a Produce Sheet with the amount and price.  If you need to, you can wash your produce at the facilities provided in the basement of our barn.  Pack your vegetables into your own container, or use the bags and wax boxes we have available.

Worker Shares earn a $10 credit for every hour they work on the farm.  Terry will enter your credits and purchases regularly on a separate sheet so you can track it.

In addition, Worker Shares receive free produce. Whether it’s oddly shaped, slightly damaged or just more than we need, we think edible food should be consumed, not composted.

If you work more than the hours required to pay for your produce, you can use your credit to purchase vegetables throughout November and possibly December.  Or, we will write you a check for the balance.

If you find you are not able to work off the cost of your purchases by the end of the season, you simply pay the remainder. If you start as a Worker Share and find you must stop, we will add up the hours you've worked and figure out whether you owe us or we owe you.  

Chuck and I understand that our Worker Shares will be gone for a shift or 2 during the season for vacation or other prior commitments, and we can handle your absence. Let us know as far in advance as you can when you’ll be gone so we can schedule other folks to fill in.

Although we love children and animals, please make other arrangements for them when you’re at work on the farm.

A Worker Share position is a serious commitment to work. We rely on your efforts to complete vital tasks. If someone simply fails to show up, another person has to try to fit those duties into their already full schedule, throwing a major wrench into the farm works.

Shortly after you sign up as a Worker Share, please download a Worker Share Application here, fill it out online (it's a .doc, so can be changed) and return it to us as an attachment at: fullharvestfarm@gmail.com . We will download it and print a copy. Or, you can print it out and snail mail it to the address below.

We are especially grateful for Worker Shares who come back to the farm for another season. Their experience helps the tasks go faster, allows us to pair them with new Worker Shares for training, and gives us a chance to enjoy their company for another year. Returning Worker Shares have 1st choice of shifts. They should fill out a new application, but do not need to supply references.

Chuck and I would love to work with you this season!