Narrow Bridge Farm
Core Group

        The Core Group is a steering committee of volunteer members responsible for much of what happens beyond the garden gates of the CSA; distribution, treasury, member recruitment, community events, work requirements, etc.  This leaves time for the farmers to concentrate on growing.  Together, the members of the Core Group will help determine our yearly budget, set fee policy, discuss long term plans for the farm, and make sure our common goals are being met.  Core Group members fulfill their work hour requirement through their time spent on meetings and projects.

        A quote from the Genesee Valley CSA really sums up why the Core Group is an integral part of the workings of our farm:  "We can build a strong community, a responsive organization, just as farmers can.  Our farm will only be as good as the effort we put into it.  Each one of us is the organization, is the community.  If we distribute the work, then it rests happily and securely on everyone's shoulders.  Please consider joining the Core Group.  In this way, we can build a CSA as sustaining as the soil in which the food is planted."

        Communications with the Core Group members is encouraged.  If you want to send an e-mail to everyone in the Core Group, click HERE.  If you want to send an e-mail to a particular Core Group member, click on their name below.

The Core Group for 2002 consists of:

Work Coordinator - Jane Kennedy The Work Coordinator sets up the weekly schedule for members to work their required number of hours, monitors "superworkers" hours worked, keeps track of member hours worked, sends out notices regarding special work days.  This position involves about two hours per week from April through August and monthly Core Group meetings.

Financial Coordinator - Bernard Brennan The Financial Coordinator collects fees, pays farmers, keeps books, and maintains the bank account.  Computer and database skills are needed.  This position involves about three to four hours per month during enrollment (March, April, May), one-half to one hour per month the rest of the year, and monthly Core Group meetings.

Core Group Coordinator - John Jaquette The Core Group Coordinator convenes and facilitates the monthly meetings, speaks with the farmers and all other Core Group members on a regular basis to ensure that the broad goals of the farm and community are being met and uses the information to create the agenda for the monthly meetings.  This position involves about one hour per week, year round, and monthly Core Group meetings.

Secretary - Emmy Morrison The Secretary takes minutes during the monthly meeting, types up the minutes, and distributes them.  This position involves about one hour per month and monthly Core Group meetings.

Community Events Coordinator - Jessica Mitchell The Community Events Coordinator sets dates for 5 potluck dinners, coordinates a special event for each one, coordinates reminder phone calls, and writes a reminder e-mail for each potluck.  This position involves about one hour per week during the season and monthly Core Group meetings.

Communications - Stu Berg The Communications position sets up and maintains the farm website, creates the member directory, and creates and maintains listserves as needed.  This position initially involves many hours, then about two hours per month and monthly Core Group meetings.

Outreach - Susan Jaquette The Outreach position initiates contact with low income families, works with the Fundraiser, organizes rides, and helps families to join the farm.  They also organize and monitor the donation of leftover produce.  This position involves about one hour per month all year and monthly Core Group meetings.

Member Recruitment - Pat Ober The Member Recruitment position handles publicity including media, word-of-mouth, gatherings, and open houses.  They also hang up flyers, distribute brochures, and canvas as needed.  This position involves about two hours per week during winter/spring and monthly Core Group meetings.

Farm Chef - Leslie Ackerman The Farm Chef creates and edits recipes for the weekly newsletter, maintains the recipe page on the website, conducts special food preparation gatherings, and posts food news at the farm.

Newsletter Editor - Susan Jaquette The Newsletter Editor coordinates the compilation of the weekly farm newsletter.

Also part of the Core Group:

	The Farmers - Tali and Yoni

The Farm Owners - Suzy and Marty Hatch