Stories from the ground: The face of the Farm Stand

"The last couple weeks have been really awesome," Colleen Hotchkiss declares, referring to the opening weeks of the 2013 CSA program at Veggielution.  Colleen is part of Veggielution’s Farm Crew and is responsible for running both the CSA program, the Saturday Farm Stand, and our booth at the San Pedro Square farmers’ market on Fridays. This is an extremely busy time of year for her, this year especially so because of Veggielution’s recent expansion, but she is clearly in her element and excited about the results of her hard work.

Colleen started at Veggielution in 2012 as a Farm Crew member, one of the positions offered through the Silicon Valley HealthCorps.  Her duties have evolved over the time she has been here, morphing into the more specific role of managing harvesting and distribution.  It made lots of sense for her to take on this role, as she has worked on CSA programs and at farmers markets in the past.  Farm work is still part of her responsibilities, however, which she feels is beneficial to her efforts at the Farm Stand and with the CSA program.  "It's cool to have that crossover," she says.  "When I'm at the farmer's market, and people are asking about the vegetables, [I can say] 'Oh yeah, I transplanted that and weeded it, and harvested it, and now I'm here selling it to you.  That's cool to have that."  

Although her current HealthCorps term will come to an end in September, Colleen has decided to stay on for the 2013-2014 term.  Her devotion to Veggielution and its goals is apparent as she explains that she wanted to see the CSA program through until its end in November; leaving in September would mean that she would not be able to fulfill this ambition.  She adds that her experience at Veggielution will help with her future goals, which include someday running a similar organization.  

You can find Colleen at the San Pedro farmers' market on Fridays from 10:00am - 2:00pm, at the Veggielution Farm Stand on Saturdays from 10:00am - 2:00pm, or when you pick up your CSA box at the Veggielution farm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.