The concept of the Farm Share Program is relatively simple but there are some requirements (below) that participants must meet to qualify for the program.
First, ask yourself this question. "Would I like to save at least $1440 on my grocery bill each year?" If the answer is "Yes", Check out these figures.
If you are maximizing your space and using square foot
gardening techniques you can produce an average of between $4 and $6 per square
foot per year in your organic garden. That’s $1600 to $2400 per year in organic
produce in a 400 square foot (20X20’) garden. If you are maintaining your soil
health, continuously planting, watering and managing garden pests properly,
your garden cost is going to average between $ .40 and $ .75 per square foot
which means you can expect to pay between $160 and $300 per year in total
garden maintenance costs. That’s a net gain of roughly at least $1440 per year
in savings. These cost figures can be reduced radically if almost not entirely
by using self-sustaining gardening techniques.
The Purpose Of The Farm Share Program
The Farm Share Program has two primary goals. First to assist individuals and families who can use the assistance in putting food on their tables. The second goal is to help individuals and families become more self-sufficient in the area of putting healthy and wholesome food on their tables. These two primary goals are accomplished through a combination of on-hands training, workshops and other educational classes. We want folks to be able to grow their own food but in order to do so, they need the knowledge and some experience to be successful at it.
Although not required by any program participant, we will encourage and assist any individual or family who would like to start up their own gardens. All this will be explained to those who participate in the program.
Required Educational Classes & Workshops
Program participants are required to attend a series of workshops and educational classes to provide them with the knowledge they will need to successfully grow their own produce in the future. Below is a list of the Educational Classes & Workshops. The location of these classes and workshops may be at different farms and there may even be some held at participating members locations if they are putting in a garden of their own.
The exact dates the Educational Classes and Workshops are held will be provided to program members. All the classes will be held on Saturday mornings.
- Ed Class Program Introduction & Overview - Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Designing & Layout Of Your Garden -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Basics Of Food Self-Sufficiency -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Raised Beds -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Ground/Soil Preparation & Cultivation - Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Appropriate Plant & Seed Selection - Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - The Business Side Of Gardening - Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Growing In Containers -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Controling Weeds & Insects Naturally (Companion Planting -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- ED Class: - Irrigation -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: Garden Maintenance -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: - Harvesting Techniques -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
- Ed Class: How To Preserve Your Harvest (Canning) -Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Location: At The Farm
How the Farm Share Program Works
Each week during the growing season, each family or individual volunteers some time working on either one of the farms or gardens the Farm Share Program has. During the harvest time, each individual or family shares in a portion of the harvest. Each week they will receive a given number of pounds of the produce for themselves and their family. The types of produce available each week will vary based on the produce available and ready to be harvested that week. Since we grow a wide variety of crops, there is always a good selection to choose from. There is a limit as to the amount of any one specific vegetable that can be taken.
The amount or produce an individual or family receives is generally based on their family size as is the number of hours participating members are asked to volunteer. In most instances, it will range from between 2 and 4 hours a week.
Program Participation Requirements
- Participants must be legal residents of Arizona
- Participants must reside in either Chino Valley, Paulden, Prescott, Williamson Valley, Dewey or Mayer.
- Participating individuals or families must meet Income Level requirements (these will vary depending upon the family size and family situation)
- Participants must be capable of physically working on one of the farms and/or gardens in the program. Where possible, we endeavor to have those participating working on farms or gardens close to them but this isn't always possible.
- Participants must be able to work at least one (1) day a week at either the farm or garden they are assigned to. The number of hours a week required various depending upon the family size. In most instances it is between 2 and 4 hours a week.
- Participants are required to attend a series of Educational Classes and Workshops the program provides to enable the program participants to successfully have their own gardens.
- Participants are required to sign a Liability Waiver before they may participate in the program. Working on a farm carries a certain degree of risk. Participants will not be operating equipment but even hand tools can pose a risk if not used properly.
- Participants must agree to follow all instructions given them.
There are some other requirements which will be provided to those participating in the program.
If you wish to register for the Farm Share Program, please fill out the Registration Form and we will be contacting you.
