2026 Work Trade Program
New for 2026!
We’re thrilled to launch our very first Work-Trade Program at Blue Heron Farm! This is your chance to be part of something brand new — a program that connects you directly to the orchard, the soil, and the food you’ll take home each week.
Work on the farm in exchange for fresh food!
Gain experience in regenerative, small-scale farming in the high desert. Enjoy the fresh air, get your hands in the soil, and build community while supporting a local food system.
Why Join?
This is our first year running the program, and we’re looking for a dedicated group of folks to join us on the ground floor. Our work-trade members are people who want a deeper connection with their food, farmers, and community. They enjoy working hard, getting dirty, and being part of a team that keeps the orchard and gardens thriving.
When you join, you’ll receive training and support to ensure you feel confident in the work you’re doing. Whether it’s pruning trees, weeding, thinning fruit, or learning orchard care, we’ll show you how to do the task safely and effectively.
This is the very first season of the program — you’ll help shape how it grows in the years to come.
What to Expect
Shifts: Fridays, 9 AM–12 PM (3 hours).
Start times will adjusted by season — for example, beginning earlier during the heat of summer, and later in winter.
Commitment: One shift per week for a 12-week seasonal session (Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall).
Work-traders must attend at least 10 of the 12 shifts to remain enrolled. Missed shifts without notice will result in immediate removal from the program.
We depend on our work-traders, so reliability is key. Please only apply if you can commit to showing up regularly, on time, and ready to work.
Seasonal Blocks: The year is divided into (4) 3-month duration seasonal blocks
(Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall).
You’re welcome to sign up for a single block or commit to multiple blocks if you’d like to stay involved longer.
Some more details…
Orientation: All participants begin with a short orientation covering farm layout, tool use, and safety protocols.
Weather: Shifts continue in all weather except in rare cases of extreme conditions when the farm deems it unsafe.
Physicality: All participants must be prepared for physical tasks such as bending, kneeling, squatting, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
Working Interview: All applicants will complete an extensive working interview to ensure the program is the right fit for both you and the farm before placement is confirmed.
Seasonal Blocks
Winter
January 10 – March 28
Example tasks: pruning, orchard prep
Spring
April 4 – June 20
Example tasks: pruning, thinning fruit, weeding, windfall pickup
Summer
July 11 – Sept 26
Example tasks: weeding, windfall pickup, light harvest support
Fall
Oct 3 – Dec 19
Example tasks: weeding, orchard cleanup, windfall collection
You’re welcome to sign up for a single seasonal block — or commit to multiple blocks throughout the year. Space in the program is very limited, and once all spots are filled, enrollment will close until next year.
If you’re excited to join the very first Blue Heron Farm Work-Trade crew, don’t wait — apply today!
Compensation
Hourly credit: $16.50/hr
Weekly credit for 3 hours: $49.50
How it works: All credits are loaded onto a Blue Heron Farm gift card. You can use your balance in two ways:
1. At our farm stand - good for any produce or products sold as well as u-pick.
2. At our farmers market booth
This is not a volunteer role —
it’s a fair exchange:
your time and energy for food.
Communication & Work Culture
We depend on our work-traders, so reliability is key. Please only apply if you can commit to showing up regularly, on time, and ready to work.
Training will be provided for every task.
Let us know at least 2 weeks ahead of time if you’ll miss a shift.
Ask questions if something isn’t clear — we want you to succeed.
Work while you talk; limit phone use during shifts.
When a task is finished, check in about what’s next.
Put away tools and tidy work areas before leaving.
Stay hydrated and pace yourself — farming is physical, but it should be enjoyable.
Respect the land, your fellow crew members, and the farm team — kindness and teamwork matter here.
Farm Guidelines
No guests, no kids, and no pets are permitted during shifts.
Tools & Gear: The farm provides tools, but participants should bring their own gloves, water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and weather-appropriate gear.
Smoking/Tobacco: No smoking on the farm.
Health & Food Safety: Do not come if you are sick, though you will need to let us know.
Fit & Continuation: We reserve the right to end a participant’s placement in the program at any time if attendance, safety, communication, or work standards are not met.
Liability: Work-traders participate at their own risk. Blue Heron Farm is not responsible for injuries or accidents.
