Farm Crew
By Callie Godfrey ‘26Phil's mission is to create more small farms.
Step 1. Start a farm.
Step 2. Run a successful farm business.
Step 3. Help others do the same.
The end result? More small farms producing good food to feed their communities.
My major task was preparing for the CSA in Portland and Portsmouth by planting, harvesting, and washing the vegetables. Other projects consisted of building a hoop house, Greenhouse seeding, Side-dressing tomatoes with fertilizer, Moving irrigation, Setting up drip lines , Hoeing and weeding, Killing Colorado Potato Beetles, Setting up and taking down trellises, Suckering the tomatoes
I learned that I really enjoy being in an outdoor work environment and being physical. I also learned that I am capable of figuring things out and problem solving. I never thought I would drive a box truck, but I did and can even now back it up into a space. I also would work the CSA stands alone and that was a big responsibility and learned that I can come up handle things by myself. I had a lot of time during the workday to reflect, especially when I was harvesting peas (it is truly meditative), and during that time I thought about my career and what I wanted out of life.
I truly think I could see myself working on a farm again, or even potentially running my own someday. I do want to continue to be outside and work with agriculture. In addition to learning about my own career aspirations, I learned a lot about sustainable agriculture and the troubles that are faced. Many farms in Maine have to have their land and water sources checked for “forever chemicals,” which are polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were in fertilizers and sludge that farmers used to spread on their land. While Phil’s farm tested negative for PFAS, the hassle and fear of having it tested was still prominent. This is an added struggle for small organic farms that are already combatting larger enterprises.
Some skills I added to my tool belt were driving machinery, using tools to build structures such as a hoop house and trellises, as well as a knowledge about how to care for vegetables and what they need to become a success crop.
My favorite parts were harvesting the root vegetables and working the CSA stands. I enjoyed getting to interact with the people who ate the vegetables we produced and hearing how much they enjoyed it. I learned a few new recipes, as well as a variety of ways you can cook turnips (who knew!)
Funding provided by the Richard G. D'Auteuil '82 and Kimberly A. Labbe '82 Internship Fund.