Safety and other concerns while volunteering or visiting at Heirloom Harvest.
1. When visiting the farm to work, please keep foremost in your mind that the volunteer experience should not be a grueling or unusually demanding or difficult experience. Exert yourself moderately, but please don’t overdo it. Farm workers may spend hours every day working in the fields—but you don’t—so take a break, stand up and stretch, walk around. Heirloom Harvest’s goal for your volunteer experience is that your time on the farm should be as safe, pleasant and educational as possible.
2. A portable toilet structure has been installed behind the pole barn near the horse corrals for bathroom facilities. Community gardeners are also welcome to use this facility. If you take a bathroom break while harvesting vegetables, please rinse and wash your hands at either the greenhouse or the community gardens outlets before returning to work. Biodegradable soap has been provided for this purpose.
3. The farm’s first aid kit is located in the pole barn. Please report any injuries to the farm staff.
4. Please check the weather before you volunteer at the farm, and bring appropriate clothing. Vital clothing on the farm includes a hat and good work shoes (no sandals). Please wear sunscreen and/or a hat when working for extended periods in the sun.
5. Volunteers should drink water the night before a working visit to the farm in order to ensure proper hydration. There is no water supply in the fields, but there is water from a facet near the community gardens. Bring a personal water container. We suggest you bring plain water, or electrolyte containing fluids if you perspire heavily, not sweetened beverages.
6. Children are especially vulnerable to sunstroke and dehydration. Be sure that children drink lots of fluids and use sunscreen and repellents. Farm staff may ask you or your children not to participate in activities for health reasons.
7. Children should never walk on trails in the Great Cedar Swamp or within 10 feet of the irrigation pond without being accompanied by an adult. All should keep at least a 40-foot distance from the honeybee hives that are kept on the site.
8. Mosquitoes and ticks are always present. Anticipate the need for appropriate clothing and repellents. When harvesting or handling vegetables that are not your own, please refrain from using chemical insect repellents or perfume which may transfer to the vegetables (chemical sensitivities). Chemical-free repellents are available, but these too should not be placed on skin surfaces that will come in contact with harvested vegetables.
9. The speed limit when driving on the dirt access road from the cemetery is 5 mph. Please park in areas adjacent to the dirt access road, never on the cemetery lanes and never within 10 feet of the horse corrals. Please do not block the dirt road with your parked car. It is encouraged that members park vehicles behind the cemetery adjacent to the community gardens to avoid getting parked in.
10. Dogs should be on leases at all times. Dogs should never be allowed to roam in the farm fields, on or off leash.
11. The Westborough CSA distribution will remain open during rain or snow, but will be canceled during electrical storms for safety reasons.
12. Harvested vegetables usually are rinsed before distribution, but shareholders should wash all vegetables and fruit before eating.
13. Farm tractors and equipment can be dangerous. Always maintain a safe distance when farm equipment is moving or in operation around the farm.
14. Please do not pet, feed or otherwise attempt to approach or interact with the horses in the horse corrals. Please keep at least a 10 foot distance from the horse corrals. Thank you.
