Devon Point Farm Camp is designed for campers of varying ages. The morning sessions are for campers ranging from ages 4-6, and the afternoon sessions for ages 7-9. Our campers have the opportunity to see how our farm works and learn by pitching in with farm chores and getting their hands dirty.  In addition, every session includes activities focused on a specific theme. Campers will get the opportunity to get closer to the food they eat and the natural cycles of the community they live in.  

Campers will learn about where their food comes from, the basic principles of healthy eating, natural cycles found on a farm, the history of farming, and farm animals, in addition to participating in farm chores such as harvesting vegetables, starting seeds, making compost, and collecting eggs.

DATES FOR 2012 TO BE ANNOUNCED!

About Devon Point Farm:

Devon Point Farm is a 93-acre, family-run farm located in Woodstock, Connecticut, and is owned by Erick & Patty Taylor. Specializing in rare, heritage and endangered American Milking Devon Cattle, Devon Point Farm raises cattle for grassfed beef, and has a naturally-grown vegetable & flower CSA farm share program. Devon Point Farm uses a mix of traditional and modern farming methods to promote sustainable and local agriculture

1. Agricultural Internship / Apprenticeship

2. Farm Education Manager

3. Nanny Position (Part-time Feb/Mar & Full-time Apr-Oct)

1. Agricultural Internship/Apprenticeship Opportunity at Devon Point Farm, Woodstock, Connecticut

An Organic Vegetable & Flower CSA Farm Share Program & Grassfed Beef Cattle Farm

Our Internship/Apprenticeship Opportunity: Devon Point Farm offers an honest, accurate on-farm learning experience. For the right intern we provide a beautiful, clean, safe, healthy setting to work hard, play hard, and learn valuable real-life skills. You can get in great physical shape while learning all the basic components that you need to strategically plan, operate, promote and manage your own profitable, sustainable and rewarding farm business.

The work teaches about sustainable farming practices, economics of making a farm profitable, marketing, raising cattle, growing crops organically for profit, constructing a timber frame barn, customer relations, and what it's like to work hard for a healthy lifestyle and successful future.

About Devon Point Farm: Devon Point Farm has a 175-member organic vegetable and flower share “CSA” share program, CSA stand for “Community Supported Agriculture” – a simple idea in which a CSA member buys a “share” of a farmer’s harvest at the beginning of growing season and then come to the farm on a weekly basis to pick it up. We also have a herd of rare heritage breed North Devon Cattle, which are sold for breeding stock and grassfed beef. The entire farm is farmed organically and we also raise heritage breed chickens for eggs and meat.

Devon Point Farm is owned and Operated by Patty and Erick Taylor. The farm is located in Woodstock, Connecticut, an area is known for its rural countryside and classic New England setting. The farm is located 30 minutes from Worcester, 1 hour from Providence and Hartford, 1 1/2 hours from Boston and slightly over 3 hours from New York City.

The daily farm routine: The daily routine is Monday - Friday, up at 5:30 a.m. a hearty breakfast and then outside by 6:30 a.m. Saturdays are a lighter work day or possibly a farmers market day. On a daily basis, there's routine chores like caring for chickens, moving cattle through rotational grazing pastures, and all the components of running the CSA like starting seeds, planting, weeding, harvesting, setting up produce displays for the share members, cutting flowers and making bouquets. We like to do the field work from 6 to noon and the if it's hot take an afternoon siesta or run off to a nearby pond for a swim, then finish up with any evening chores and a great meal.

Special learning components for interns: Interns get a special learning opportunity about all the “behind-the-scenes” aspects of farm business management – all aspects of running a profitable and sustainable farm business including but not limited to understanding the farm’s bookkeeping, financial planning and management, grant writing, and the holistic approach animal and crop production planning. Also cattle herd management, our breeding philosophy, grassfed beef production, marketing and processing, grazing rotation planning, as well as overall herd health management. Also all aspects of the business management of organic vegetable and flower farm operations will be shared including field crop planning, equipment and supply decisions, product marketing and promotion, customer relationship management, as well as day-to-day operations management.

Housing available: For the right intern, we have room and board available. We have a brand-new house with very nice accommodations - a big room upstairs with a great view of a pond frequented by ducks and geese and the cows grazing in the fields beyond. A private bathroom shared only with other interns. Your "off time" (typically Sundays) would be your own and we would encourage you to explore the area and can set up other farm visits to round out your experience. We also have a boat and like to go weekly to the ocean for fishing and beach time - interns would be welcome to join us on the boat or get dropped off on a beach or at a scenic coastal town like Mystic for a day of shopping and sightseeing.

Stipend: We do not pay interns for their work as this is a volunteer learning experience, but we do provide $800 per month for living expenses plus room and board.

The right candidate: We are only looking for dedicated, honest, hard working, down-to-earth, positive, teachable, fun-loving, clean-cut appearance, non-smoking and English-speaking, applicants. Like any experience, you will get out of it what you put into it. Our season runs from April to October. Limited transportation may be arranged. Length of stay is negotiable depending on the circumstances.

To Apply: Interested applicants may e-mail us at devonpointfarm@gmail.com with a brief description of yourself, a photo of yourself, a resume, what interests you about our farm business, what you would like to get out of your stay, how long you would like to stay with us, your related experience/background/education.

Contact us: Website: www.devonpointfarm. Phone: 860-974-9004. Email: devonpointfarm@gmail.com

2. Farm Education Program Manager Wanted

 Educator/Teacher Wanted to Run Summer Farm Education Program for Kids

Teacher, Education Major, Recent Graduate with Teaching Degree, or Retired Teacher: Devon Point Farm is looking for an enthusiastic individual, to help us create on-farm summer day-long or week-long programs and learning experiences for children ages 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9. The right candidate will be able to work with farm owners to create an interactive, fun, and farm-oriented learning program using curriculum we have or by creating your own. This is a great opportunity for student or recent graduates to build their resume and gain valuable experience creating a new educational program from the ground up. It would also be a great opportunity for a teacher or retired teacher to stay active in teaching with a part-time summer position.

Farm owners will be responsible to marketing the program and filling seats, while the Education Program Manager will be responsible for implementing curriculum, working with program assistants, working with farm owners to develop a budget for the program with a business-minded focus on profitability, determining what supplies are needed for the program, and overall, are responsible for delivering a fantastic and fun farm learning experience to all children who participate. We have a beautiful brand-new post-and-beam barn with windows and high ceilings for use as a classroom, as well as 93 acres of sustainable pastures, vegetable fields, cattle, chickens, woods and a pond for exploration and use as an outdoor classroom.

Duration of Project: The length of the project is negotiable and depends on how the Education Program takes shape. We envision various programs depending on the age group of the children, from a one-week long summer day camp scenario to one-day programs, or even programs that are a few hours long for younger children. We would be targeting July and August. Ample pre-season (part-time) preparation time in April, May and June must be included for curriculum, budget and program development, and collaborating on marketing concepts with farm owners. In addition, time would be required for classroom setup, and selecting and training assistants the week(s) prior to the program’s start date.

About Devon Point Farm: Devon Point Farm, owned and operated by Erick and Patty Taylor, is located in Woodstock, Connecticut, an area is known for its rural countryside and classic New England setting. The farm has a 100-member organic vegetable and flower share “CSA” share program (CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture” – a simple idea in which a CSA member buys a “share” of a farmer’s harvest at the beginning of growing season and then come to the farm on a weekly basis to pick it up). We also have a herd of rare heritage breed American Milking Devon Cattle, which are raised for breeding stock and grass-fed beef. The entire farm is farmed organically and we also raise heritage breed chickens for eggs and meat.

The farm is located 30 minutes from Worcester, 1 hour from Providence and Hartford, 1 1/2 hours from Boston and slightly over 3 hours from New York City. For pictures and more information on our farm you can go to our website: www.devonpointfarm.com

Housing available: For the right candidate, we have room and board available. We have a brand-new house with very nice accommodations - a big room with a great view of a pond frequented by ducks and geese and the cows grazing in the fields beyond. A private bathroom shared only with other farm apprentices.

Stipend/Wages: A stipend/wages are available for this position and are based on the profitability of the summer camp itself and is commensurate with experience.

The right candidate: We are looking for dedicated, honest, hard working, down-to-earth, positive, fun-loving, clean-cut appearance, non-smoking and English-speaking applicants. Like any experience, you will get out of it what you put into it. Candidates should be energetic, enthusiastic and physically fit. It goes without saying, candidates must be great with children, interested in farming and agriculture, and passionate about teaching children where their food comes from. In addition, candidates must enjoy getting ‘down and dirty’ with children in activities like examining worms, starting seeds, making compost, hatching chicks, and more outdoor farm related type activities.

To Apply: Interested applicants may e-mail (devonpointfarm@gmail.com) us with a brief description of yourself, a photo of yourself, a resume, references, what interests you about teaching children in a farm setting and your related experience, background, and education; or contact us via phone at 860-974-9004.

3. Part-time Nanny Position February and March • Weekdays 9a-noon

I am looking for a nanny for our 3-year-old daughter, weekdays from 9 to noon for February and March, then longer hours in April. If I find the right person, it could lead to a full-time position for the entire summer for both our daughters (the older one is age 6 and is in school until June).

I work from home and need a part-time nanny to care for our daughter, feed her snacks, teach her basics like her colors, ABC's and 123's while I work in our home office. Light housework, like vacuuming and putting dishes in dishwasher is part of the job. No smokers, no visible tattoos. Must have experience with children, references and be youthful enough to get down on the floor and play. 

We expect the nanny to be a part of the hard-working team that keeps this household and this farm running smoothly. We are only looking for dedicated, honest, hard working, down-to-earth, positive, fun-loving, clean-cut appearance, non-smoking and English-speaking applicants.  To apply, please email (devonpointfarm@gmail.com) with cover letter, resume, a photo of yourself, references or phone us at 860-974-9004.

4. Full-time Nanny Position Available (April - September)

Full Time Nanny Position Available April to October, for two children (girls) age 6 and 3. Experience with children a must. Education or teaching background a plus. Position includes light housework: vacuuming, loading and unloading dishwasher, keeping house free of kid's clutter as well as other needed cleaning projects when kids are napping or otherwise engaged. We own a farm and are in and out of the house frequently.

We expect the nanny to be a part of the hard-working team that keeps this household and this farm running smoothly. We are only looking for dedicated, honest, hard working, down-to-earth, positive, fun-loving, clean-cut appearance, non-smoking and English-speaking applicants.  To apply, please email (devonpointfarm@gmail.com) with cover letter, resume, a photo of yourself, references or phone us at 860-974-9004.

The enrollment forms (below) also contain all the CSA Farm Share details and pricing that is listed on our website. Shares are reserved with a completed enrollment form and deposit check.

For WOODSTOCK, CT farm pickup, please use this form:

WOODSTOCK CSA ENROLLMENT FORM

For STONINGTON, CT DELIVERY area & Westerly, RI area residents, and NEW LONDON, CT DELIVERY please use this form:

STONINGTON - NEW LONDON CSA ENROLLMENT FORM

For FISHERS ISLAND, NY DELIVERY, please use this form:

FISHERS ISLAND CSA ENROLLMENT FORM

For ELLINGTON-STAFFORD area, for the CRYSTAL LAKE DELIVERY, please use this form:

ELLINGTON CSA ENROLLMENT FORM

What is a CSA Farm Share?

A “Farm Share” is a simple idea (very much like buying a magazine subscription) in which a “Member” buys a “Share” of a farmer’s harvest at the beginning of the growing season, and then comes to the farm each week to pick up their “Share” of the farm’s vegetable harvest or that share is bagged or boxed and delivered to the shareholder. Many farm share programs are called “CSA” which stands for “Community Supported Agriculture.”

What A Farm Share Program Is All About:

A Farm Share Program is both an investment and a risk for the farmer and the family who joins. Together we are sharing in the risks and rewards of farming. We have to understand that we are growing in New England, with unpredictable weather, using only natural growing methods for fertility, and against insects, fungi and bacteria – methods that meet or exceed the federal government’s organically-grown standards. By choosing this approach we understand that it inherently decreases our potential yield and chance for success. We take this approach because we believe the potential risks associated with chemicals, fungicides and commercial fertilizers outweigh the benefits.

There are significant differences between joining a local CSA and purchasing from a Whole Foods, Price Chopper or even a Farmers Market. Joining a CSA does not mean that you can select from 17 farmer vendors who will bring only those crops that were successful that week to the Farmers Market. It does not mean that you select from hundreds of international farmer vendors that Whole Foods has brought together for you under one roof. What joining a CSA means is that you share in one local farm’s harvest. You share in the risks and rewards of farming, with one farmer, not 17 farmers. When purchasing from Whole Foods or a Farmers Market, at the end of the day, you don’t truly know how those vegetables have been grown, where they’ve been grown or how they’ve been handled. When you join our CSA, you gain the ability to walk through the fields of crops and see your food being grown. And, you get to know your farmers on a first name basis.

When you share in one farm’s harvest, you are sharing in seasonal crops... some crops like it hot and some like it cool. Our tomatoes for example, are field grown, not hot-house grown. You will see tomatoes at farm stands long before ours are ripe. But a little patience and understanding on your part will result in amazing field-grown, vine-ripened tomatoes in your share (provided mother nature cooperates)!

Reasons families invest in a share of our harvest:

• Many folks just want to experience truly fresh food and have an appetite for a variety not available at the supermarket
• Many join for their health. Simply visiting the farm can be a stress reliever, eating food that is natural and clean has to be right.
• The concept of supporting local farms is important to the community’s rural character
• To some families it’s about interacting with nature, visiting the farm and experiencing life on the farm and helping children learn how their food is grown
• For some it’s about reducing the amount of food miles your food travels, and the amount of fossil fuels that is used to transport your food, (your average vegetable travels over 1500 miles before it’s consumed).
• Many of our families enjoy the community environment where like-minded people share recipes, ideas and experiences, as well as sharing the vegetables!

Please be sure you fully understand what a CSA Farm Share is truly about before you join!

Our CSA Shares Sell Out Quickly...
To join our CSA Farm Share Program, please fill out an enrollment form today.

• either Tuesdays OR Fridays 3pm - 7pm; you must select a pickup day

2012 Share Pricing:

VEGETABLE SHARES:
18 weeks of fresh, naturally-grown seasonal vegetables!

• Full Share • $636 cash/check, or $654 paypal/credit card
• Half Share • $375 cash/check, or $387 paypal/credit card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FLOWER SHARES:
10 weeks starting in late June/early July 
• Cut Flower Share • $180 cash/check, or $186 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

STONINGTON Delivery

• 9 a.m. Thursdays, at the Coastal Masonic Lodge Parking Lot, 637 Pequot Trail

*Prices include our additional costs in time and materials to hand-pack and deliver your share.

VEGETABLE SHARES:
18 weeks of fresh, naturally-grown seasonal vegetables!

Full Share • $670 cash/check or $690 PayPal/Credit Card 

Half Share • $410 cash/check or $422 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FLOWER SHARES:
10 weeks starting in late June/early July 

Cut Flower Share • $210 cash/check or $217 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

NEW LONDON Delivery

• 8:30 a.m. Thursdays, at Conn College visitor parking lot off Rt. 32, New London

*Prices include our additional costs in time and materials to hand-pack and deliver your share.

VEGETABLE SHARES:
18 weeks of fresh, naturally-grown seasonal vegetables!

Full Share • $670 cash/check or $690 PayPal/Credit Card 

Half Share • $410 cash/check or $422 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FLOWER SHARES:
10 weeks starting in late June/early July 

Cut Flower Share • $210 cash/check or $217 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15
   

ELLINGTON/STAFFORD (Crystal Lake) Delivery

• 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, to Crystal Lake: 24 Private Grounds Road, Ellington, CT

*Prices include our additional costs in time and materials to hand-pack and deliver your share. and a $25 fundraiser donation to Crystal Lake Association to help remove invasive milfoil!

VEGETABLE SHARES:
18 weeks of fresh, naturally-grown seasonal vegetables!

• Full Share • $680 cash/check, or $700 paypal/credit card

• Half Share • $415 cash/check, or $428 paypal/credit card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FLOWER SHARES:
10 weeks starting in late June/early July 

• Cut Flower Share • $205 cash/check, or $212 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FISHERS ISLAND Delivery

Fishers Island Ferry Terminal, 12:15 p.m. Thursdays

*Prices include our additional costs in time and materials to hand-pack and deliver your share. **Any additional Ferry costs will be divided evenly among members, and will be determined before final payment is due based on 2011 Ferry fees (as soon as they let us know what they will be).

VEGETABLE SHARES:
18 weeks of fresh, naturally-grown seasonal vegetables!

Full Share • $738 cash/check or $760 PayPal/Credit Card 

Half Share • $478 cash/check or $492 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

FLOWER SHARES:
10 weeks starting in late June/early July  

Cut Flower Share • $250 cash/check or $258 PayPal/Credit Card

Pay half now, and final balance on March 15

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) announces its 30th Annual Winter Conference, an important focal point about the future of our food system.  Geared not only toward farmers, but also gardeners, locavores, homesteaders and anyone interested in a sustainable lifestyle, the conference features workshops, internationally-celebrated speakers, and the renowned potluck.

The CT NOFA 30th Annual Winter Conference will be held March 3, 2012 at Manchester Community College, on Great Path Rd in Manchester, CT, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $50 for NOFA members, $60 for non-members ($35 for students or seniors).  There is a $5 discount for early registration (before  February 18th) and an additional $10 discount for those interested in volunteering.  For more information and registration online, visit  www.ctnofa.org,  or call the office at 203-888-5146. 

2011 Results:  We have attached our 2011 survey results as an Excel document, without any editing except the deletion of any member names. The results include anecdotal responses from 60 members and are both positive and negative.

Click here to download our
2011 CSA Farm Share End-Of-Season Customer Survey Results
as an Excel Document

2010 Results: We have attached our 2010 survey results as an Excel document, without any editing except the deletion of any member names. The results include anecdotal responses from 60 members and are both positive and negative. In 2010 we scored a 4.6 out of 5, with 5 being 'excellent'.

Click here to download our 2010 CSA Customer Survey Results as an Excel Document

Here is my favorite unsolicited customer response, sent via email last March, in addition to her survey response (used with permission):

What did you like most about Devon Point Farm's CSA?:

"Too much to list, but I'll try: Seeing Patty's award winning smile, driving down the long driveway and seeing bucolic fields and beautiful animals grazing, walking into your garage with anticipation of the goodies that lay within, including gorgeous flowers, friendly conversation, the smile of an adorable little barefoot toddler, and I haven't even gotten to the produce yet. The vegetables that you lovingly and tirelessly grow are compared to none! I love the variety and look forward to each share. Thanks to you many of us have expanded our "vegetable horizons" and have eaten and fallen in love with vegetables we never would have had the opportunity to enjoy, in addition to sharing our “share” with friends and family! Also, the weekly email, with recipes and ideas and patty's personal suggestions, and the photos, are all fabulous!! The hard work that you and your family put into this endeavor is beyond admirable! I truly feel privileged to have the opportunity to take part in this Woodstock treasure!!" -- from 2010 & 2011 member, Lynn Souza

It is interesting to note that everyone's invidividual vegetable consumption is wildly different... some people love greens and want more of them, while others want less. Some folks didn't get enough kale, while others disliked it. The same goes for just about each and every vegetable. As a farmer, we know full well that we won't be able to match everyone's individual eating preferences, so we aim to provide a wide variety of vegetables, with a balance between greens, 'staple' items, and unusual treats.

All of our cattle are registered American Milking Devons.

We sell heifers, bull calves for use as herd sires, and steers for use as oxen.

Our calves are born in Spring and are able to go to their new homes in September or Early October at six months of age. Calves are reserved with a non-refundable 50% deposit. Reservations for calves are taken and filled in the order deposits are received.

We have a limited number of calves each year. We are sold out for our 2011 calf crop. We are accepting reservations for our 2012 calf crop. For calf reservations we are unable to fill in 2012, those customers will move to the top of the waiting list for the 2013 calf crop.

We welcome anyone interested in purchasing a calf, to visit us to see our breedstock for yourself. Please call for an appointment and updates on stock availability.

Excerpts from the article (see full article link below):

"The worst drought in Texas’ history has led to the largest-ever one-year decline in the leading cattle-state’s cow herd, raising the likelihood of increased beef prices as the number of animals decline and demand remains strong."

“Consumers are going to pay more because we’re going to have less beef,” Anderson said. “Fewer cows, calves, less beef production and increasing exports.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that beef prices will increase up to 5.5 in 2012, in part because the number of cattle has declined. That follows a 9 percent increase in beef prices in the past year.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/12/16/texas-drought-takes-cow-numbers-down-by-600k/

One more good reason to buy Devon Point Farm's gourmet grassfed beef, great quality at an excellent price!