re-establishing collectivity in farming.

how to plug in

 
 

Collective Volunteer.

4-8 hours/Month

This is the option for folks who want a casual participation level. This tier is built for those who would like to drop in and out without a weekly commitment. This is a great way to get out for some fresh air, break a sweat, and pick up a skill or two as the season goes on. No prior farming experience is required.

Folks in this tier would have the opportunity to come participate as we host larger scale events. The workdays are hosted at our main site on Creighton Rd. They are announced via our various social media, so follow us there and be on the look out throughout the season.

This crew will:

  • Be ready to plug in to whatever tasks we have planned for the day

  • Wear closed toe shoes no matter the weather (gloves and water will always be provided)

  • Be ready to sign our volunteer waiver form

  • Stay for the duration of the work-day (folks leaving early can really throw off the tasks for the day!)

 

Seasonal Workforce.

5 hours/week

This is the option for folks who would like to make a commitment to seasonal participation. If you would like to learn more of the skills around farming, are available on a slightly more consistent basis, or would like to see if you are interested in collective farming without making too large of a commitment, this is the tier for you. No prior farming experience is required.

Folks in this tier would make a 15 week commitment to coming to our site once a week for a 4 hour shift in exchange for a share of fresh produce each week and to share in a meal prepared by our cooking team (more details below). Tasks for this group will be slightly more advanced but training in whatever that may be will be provided.

The Seasonal Workforce will have different responsibilities based on individual applications. These could include:

  • Regular site maintenance (weeding, mulching, etc.)

  • Harvesting

  • Regular crop care (pruning, trellising, hand watering, etc.)

  • Transplanting

  • Compost processing

  • Worm management

  • Data collection

 

remember our roots.

For thousands of years, people have walked the Earth and participated, knowingly and unknowingly, in the cultivation of food and the stewardship of the land. Tribes and clans of people would use methods of controlled fire and location-specific replanting to manage what are now referred to as “food forests”. Coastal peoples would spread clams and oysters into the shallow areas of rivers and estuaries to assist in healthy population growth. Maize would be planted in monocrops (yes, monocrops) for hundreds of acres and managed collectively, in accordance with the seasons. Folks would revere concepts around the “hunt” which served as de facto population management of herding animals, trade seeds and grains between cultures and maybe even spread a few simply by answering nature’s call. At RealRoots, we are in deep acknowledgement of this reality and want those that participate in the seasonal workforce to understand this as the source of our mission.

a modern look.

At RealRoots, it is part of our mission to increase participation in our modern food system. We are attempting to re-establish the connection between people and they way their food is grown, and do it in a way that centers methods of alternative exchange and personal autonomy. We are experimenting with different mechanisms for the people of the Richmond area to do that in as large a capacity as possible. For now, this looks like two tiers of “participation” that one can choose from based on level of commitment. It is important to note that for these roles, no prior farming experience is necessary! We are trying to give people from all walks of life creative and flexible ways to plug-in.

eat what we grow

In addition to the fresh food you leave with each week, we also make sure you leave fed. We have a team dedicated to preparing a large meal for all participants each week, using the food we grow on site. We have meals made with seasonality and cultural relevance in mind, and we never end the day without this meal. The goal is to reconnect with our food. What better way than to prepare, cook and share that meal with the people you worked with to grow it!