It may seem incongruous to have a small CSA farm that implements manual, labor-intensive organic practices using an automated online signup and payment system. I often worry that you might think that automation stretches to our farming and distribution methods as well. Many of you have experienced the vagaries of our web-based system...enough that you still believe that there are very human hands behind the scenes.
I monitor our email account for signup confirmations and transfer the info to an Excel spreadsheet from which the routes are manually generated; this leaves plenty of opportunities for that, ahem, human-ness to shine through. With a gratifying influx of new and returning customers for our Spring Season, this first week has tested all of our systems--human, natural, and digital.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our Thursday customers--many of whom were receiving their first-ever box--adjusting to a change in delivery day due to the weather circumstances. Our delivery crew did a great job despite encountering road closures at every turn a full day after the height of the storm.
Chris (at the farm) and I (coordinating in Chicago) are blessed to be joined in our efforts by a great team of farm workers, delivery drivers, and farmers market sellers. While it's an ever-evolving group, we'd like to let you know who is currently on the scene.
At the farm: Scott, Christa, Corky, Abel, Brian, Kurt, Dan, John, Kevin, Erich, Tanya, Andrew
On the road: Sean, Sheila, Meg, VJ, Cara, Barbara, Stuart, Natalie
At the markets: Sean, Sheila, Cara, Natalie, Stuart
There is simply no substitute for the many "human resources" that get your boxes to you!
-- Robin
