New Americans Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP)

Training Farm Site Guidelines2012: Packard Littlefield Farm

All participating members of the New Americans Sustainable Agriculture Project are asked to read or listen to these site guidelines and then sign them to signify they are in agreement. Individuals who are not in agreement will not participate in the program.

  • Cooperative Spirit: Farmers should cooperate with one another while working at the farm. Farmers will share parking, wash station, irrigation systems, and other NASAP-provided resources. If any problems arise that farmers are not able to mediate on their own, please contact NASAP staff and ask for assistance resolving the disagreement.
  • Plot Assignments: Farmers will have individual plots and may enter another farmers’ plot only if s/he has permission. Final determination for plots rests with NASAP staff.
  • Day/Time: Farmers have use of the site seven days a week during daylight hours only.
  • Parking: Anyone driving on site must have a valid driver’s license. Parking is limited to the edges of the Town Farm Road field, the edges of the New Field, and the parking by the greenhouse. There is NO parking alongside the greenhouse field or the back fields. There is NO parking alongside Littlefield Road. Use ONLY established roads to access fields. Do NOT access fields through the farmhouse driveway or through hay fields.
  • Tools: Farmers must supply and take care of their own tools. Use of any small engine machinery provided by NASAP must be used with staff approval and after completion of required training.
  • Storage: NASAP has a small shed for storage of NASAP tools and supplies. All personal tools and equipment are the responsibility of the owner. They should be clearly marked if they are stored in the shed.
  • Sanitation: Port-o-potties will be made available to the farmers. Potable wash water is also available from the well. You are REQUIRED to wash your hands after using the restroom.
  • Trash: Farmers must remove their trash from the farm on a daily basis. Keeping the farm clean is a priority. Farmers may be assessed a fine if trash is found in their fields.
  • Water: NASAP has a well and a wash station for post harvest handling. The wash station must be cleaned after use. The wash station has its own set of guidelines for proper use which MUST be followed, and access is only permissible after a required training. NASAP reserves the right to deny the privilege of using the space to any farmer or assess a fee for misuse.
  • Garden Maintenance: Each farmer is responsible for the maintenance of his/her own plot. If a plot has gone untended and is affecting other farmers’ fields (weed seeds, insect pests, etc), a member of the NASAP staff will contact the farmer. NASAP will reserve the right to mow down an unattended field or a portion of the field.
  • Growing Organically: NASAP uses organic practices. No chemicals of any kind can be used in the gardens including pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or other synthetic chemicals. NASAP staff will be available to help farmers determine the best organic practices for pest management and crop fertilization.
  • Children: Children should always be accompanied and supervised by a parent. Children are not allowed in the shed, near the pond or river, or in other farmers’ fields.
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed on site.
  • Alcohol: Drinking of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on the site.
  • Fires: Open flames and fires in the field are not allowed. The use of sterno or other enclosed cooking fires is permitted.
  • Corn: Farmers fields shall not be more than 50% corn because corn is a major drain on soil fertility. Farmers who plant more than 50% corn may be assessed a fine or be reconsidered as community gardeners for the following year.
  • End of Season: A cover crop shall be planted by mid October, with a final date to be determined. Each participant will be responsible for cleaning up his or her plot by that date. This includes removing all farm supplies, trellises, and plant materials from the plot.
  • Fees: NASAP reserves the right to assess fines to farmers found to violated above rules. Access to land the following year may be contingent upon payment of these fines.

I have read or heard the above guidelines in a language that I can understand, and I agree to abide by the requests made in these guidelines:

______

Participating Farmer NameSignature