Need input on an idea...

[Joy in Eastern WA]

Well, this family farm is working towards becoming a small CSA, but it's a lot of work for the two or three of us that are doing the groundwork. Raising meat birds, eggs, pigs, and sheep as well as a large garden and orchard proves to be very time consuming and exhausting. We also hay some of the ground and a few acres of wheat that's subcontracted out.
So, here's my thoughts. I would like to invite folks who are like minded, who are struggling to make ends meet, to come and live on the farm and take responsibility for a "division" of the crops/stock. They could live on the place here free of charge and be fed as well. Maybe two to four people would be what we would be looking for.
Since the economy is tumbling, I would think there would be some who have lost their jobs and are looking for a new direction in life, might find something like this entertaining. I know many CSA's take on internships, so maybe this is something along those lines.
Thoughts, suggestions?

[Darren]

It could be a blessing or a nightmare depending on the individuals you select. About the only thing I can suggest is checking people out very carefully if you don't already know them. Even if you know them, the new circumstances might cause a surprise. As an example, I never took a resume at face value. Nor did I pay much attention to the references provided. What I did do is develop my own references for the individual. Usually that involved finding a contact in the previous company, not human resources BTW, to talk to about the person.

A local garage owner has had all sorts of problems hiring help. What I've seen is he didn't talk to anyone who really knew the person before he made the hire.

[sheepish]

I can't comment on your situation, but I would say that it is an absolutemust to have a written contract that spells out your and their responsibilities and benefits, including what happens if it goes sour. Can you evict them if they do no work? Can they complain to a labour board if you take advantage of them? What if they have to leave before the end of the harvest? What if the harvest is really bad? Can they stay between harvest years? etc.

[rambler]

Whew.

That can work, if you have housing for them, and food available, and you find like-minded, hard working folk.

If you don't find the right people:

How are taxes handled? Who pays SS, health insurance, Medicare? Maybe you want to do it under the table, but they walk into an emergency room with a broken arm, and suddenly your 'arrangement' is out there in the open.... This tax issue, with employees, is a thorny one, and with no cash passing hands, valuing & classifying what each of you is supposed to be taking care of tax-wise is going to be a nightmare, you need a good CPA to keep track of all this.

What happens if one is unable to work (health), will you carry them for free? For how long?

Farming typically takes a year or more for the crop to become cash. Are you able to provide a living for 2-4 more people for the next year, until you start getting cash from sales? What happens if the crop fails, can you carry their incomes for a 2nd year?

What arrangement is there for terminating this deal - comes to harvest time & they walk out - they got to live & eat there, you are left with rotting crops you can't get to harvesting.

It sounds like a rewarding combination of talents, but there are many pitfalls you need to avoid to make this work!

It's a business deal, and you need to treat is as such, and make sure all your paperwork and safeguards are in place.

The problem is, they will want a cell phone, cable TV, etc. They will need cast to pay for those things. You are offering a roof & a meal. They can get a roof & meal from the govt these days, for doing nothing. They will tire of the work, with no way to pay for the cell phone, and wonder off again, leaving you sit.

--->Paul

[Maura]

I think you would be better served hiring people outright and paying them. You can also hire a firm that writes paychecks and will handle the taxes and SS for you. If you will end up paying under a certain amount ($500?), you can handle it with cash. If most of your help is needed during the summer, you can hire teenagers. The ones you want would be those who show responsibility and have chores at home. It will be your job to train them well.

[Cotton Picker]

Hi Joy,

Perhaps you could get some ideas here....

WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

http://www.wwoof.org/

[kabri]

Heck, can we bring our 2 horses, 9 sheep, pet tom and his 3 hens, our small flock of chickens and our old, retired herding dogs? Building our own homestead is really delayed due to economy, and we're still hoping to build a small ADU to accommodate someone like you are talking about to help us out too. I think it's a great idea, but finding the right people willing to do the work will be tricky. I'm hoping I can find someone near our new place once we move that I can apprentice with to learn dairy goat care & cheese making from in exchange for my help. In this economy, I would think there would be people like me wanting to add more to their skill sets.

[billooo2]

You may want to check this out........apprentices in Washington

http://www.tilthproducers.org/placement.asp