Dear KCSA community,
Next week is the first pick-up for our Full, Box and Partial share Group A members.
It has been a crazy year so far, and that ain’t going to change as we head into the harvest season. Luckily, we have a new pick-up protocol that will hopefully see us through these uncertain times. Usually, we judge a good year on yields, productivity, and whether we manage to meet our budget. This season will be deemed successful if we all remain fit, healthy and virus free!
We have been informing you of our changes to pick-up/u-pick protocol since the middle of March. All 2020 members have been put on our newsletter mailing list and the newsletters have been subsequently uploaded to our blog. These weekly newsletters have been keeping you updated as our protocol has evolved. Further, all 2020 members have been sent an introduction package to the email address they used to sign up with, which describes what to expect whilst picking up your share. The majority of our members have read this and signed up for their pick-up/u-pick window. Thank you! If you haven't gotten to this, please make it a priority.
Here is a quick and final refresher for everyone.
Every share will be boxed for a quick pick up. All members should wear a mask at all times and should keep the recommended social distancing of 6ft (2m) whilst on the farm. We are only allowing one member per share to pick-up/u-pick at your designated time until further notice. The farm will be closed at all other times. No exceptions. The pick-up/u-pick time slots are as follows:
1pm-4pm Tuesday
4pm-7pm Tuesday
1pm-4pm Friday
4pm-7pm Friday
9am-12pm Saturday
Members will have access around the front of the shed, the member designated porta potty, hand wash station, and designated u-pick areas. To ensure everyone's safety and follow state and federal guidelines, access beyond these areas will be prohibited. This includes the water spickets.
Members need to bring their own sanitizer and drinking water if these are desired. U-pickers need to bring their own harvest tools and containers. The u-pick map, availability and quantities will be visually accessible to all members outside the shed. U-pick crops will also have signs. Any questions should be directed to either Frank or myself—whoever is in the shed during your designated pick-up window. Please do not approach other staff members.
There are approximately 9-10 parking spots on the farm—no idling please! Be courteous as you enter and exit the parking lot. More mobile and able bodied full and partial share members who opt to do their weekly u-pick are encouraged to park at the Kimberton Waldorf School High School and walk over. Under no circumstances should members park their vehicles outside the fence on Seven Stars Farm property. You’ll likely be towed away by a tractor! All full and partial share members are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes to u-pick.
There will be a designated area beside the shed for members to return their wax boxes. We will sanitize and reuse them. Members are encouraged to transfer the contents of their box to their own containers before they leave the premises or return the empty wax boxes at their next pick up. Wax boxes only! Please do not attempt to leave rubber bands, containers, bags or any trash.
Those members designated by their household to pick-up/u-pick are highly encouraged to take their temperature at least once a day. If you have a fever, cough, or have trouble breathing, please do not come to the farm. You should self-isolate for at least 7 days and consult a doctor. If you are ill, you can designate a healthy friend or alternate non-exposed family member to come pick up for you.
We appreciate that these are big adjustments for our returning members! And, we appreciate your compliance. As I have stated before, these are temporary measures. Please be sensible and be safe.
Cheers,
Andrew
