Tuesday, September 1, 2020

This week...and beyond (Updated below)

 


 

For the summer students, we will not have any more work this week. Our production has dropped off, and now you are all free to make alternative long weekend plans.

We are very grateful for your contribution to growing season! Thank you so much!

Your final paychecks are ready. You can pick them up, or Tanya can mail them out...let us know.

For the 3 people who have asked to continue in the fall, I will text each one of you with an update.  


UPDATE: Some feedback is that some schools are not starting immediately after labour day, per usual, and as a result, some students are available for a week or two after labour day. That is good to know if we get swamped.

Monday, August 31, 2020

Tuesday: No Packing

 As expected, Monday was extremely light.  Nothing overnight. 

Thanks Pete

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Monday: No Packing

 We do not have anything to start with Monday morning, it was all completed Saturday night to fulfill and out going order.

I am not anticipating a large harvest day on Monday.

Thanks, Pete

Friday, August 28, 2020

Saturday : Limited Packing 8:00am

 Elisa, Fran, Josh, Seth, Matthew, Sarah, Sara.

If it is a big harvest, it will be all day, if it is a limited harvest, it could be till noon-ish.  We have 2 large orders to fill on Saturday.


Thanks, Pete

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Friday : No Packing

 We had to pack all the bunching wagons to fulfill and order going out Thursday night.

I am hoping Saturday is a bigger day of harvest.

Thanks, Pete

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Wednesday Packing 7:00am

 Elisa, Fran, Josh, Matthew, SarahX2, Seth, Jillian

Smaller crew. Maybe a shorter day.

Thanks, Pete

Monday, August 24, 2020

Tuesday 7:00am Packing

 7:00am

Elisa, Fran, Josh, Sara D, Seth, Amos, Gracie, Gaige, Matthew Sarah L

 

 

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Monday: Packing 8:00am

 I cannot find the employee schedule on the farm hard drive. I will have to ask Zach if he moved it on Monday.

I don't know if who asked for time off, so I will wing it. I will ask for one group on Monday, and the rest of the people the next. 

Monday 8:00am Elisa, Fran, Seth, Matthew, Sara(h)x3, Josh




Friday, August 21, 2020

Saturday and next week

 We are in a bit of a slow time.

Saturday, no packing.

Next week, we should be picking up. We have lots of orders, and the new field should be starting. Weather is warm and favorable, would not mind a spot of rain.

Check in Sunday evening.

Pete

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Friday: No packing

 Light harvest day.


Thanks

Pete

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Thursday: Packing 9:00am Limited crew

 9:00am Elisa, Fran, Josh, Matthew, Seth, Sara, Sarah

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Wednesday: Day Off

 Extremely light harvest day.

Enjoy the day off.

Pete



Monday, August 17, 2020

Tuesday 8:00am

 Smaller Crew

8:00am Elisa, Fran, Matthew, Seth, Sarah, Sara, Josh

Tuesday: Packing ...check in a bit later...

 We will have to see how the packing finishes out on Monday, and how much is left over to start with Tuesday morning. Check in after 8:30pm, please.

Tuesday should be a reasonably good harvest, but Wednesday a bit less. Thursday we start a new field. 


Pete


Sunday, August 16, 2020

Monday Packing

 8:00am  Elisa, Sarah D, Josh, Sara N, Seth, Matthew, Jillian, Amos, Jaxon, Gracie, Gaige



Thanks

Pete

Friday, August 14, 2020

Saturday, and the next two weeks.

 Saturday:  Day off!

The next two weeks... With transplanting over, we now have slightly more than a full packing line of people. It would look like that in the next two weeks, it will be average or slightly below, so we will not be needing two lines at once. So as a result, we will not be needing every person, every day. 

So, if you were thinking of taking some time off, the next two weeks are a good time to do so.

I have asked Zach to create a template of employee rotation, set for each weekday, in which we will draw upon it to make the next day's schedule. 

Some days will be a full line, some days a part line, or occasionally, a day off. It all comes down to amount of harvest volume vs orders going out, and the timelines associated with each. 

We appreciate the contributions of everyone so far this season.

Pete



Thursday, August 13, 2020

Friday Packing 7:00am

 Packing at 7:00am on Friday Aug 14 for the following:

Elisa, Fran, Matt, Seth, Sara N, Sarah D, Jillian, Jaxon

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Thursday: Transplanting is completed, it is all about the packing, from here on in...

 

With transplanting done, ...thanks to all..., but we now have more than one line of locals to pack each day. 

On busy days, I will have everybody in.

On average days, I will have one line of people

Average Day Thursday 

7:00am Elisa, Fran, AJ, Matthew, Seth, Josh, Sarah D, Sara N, 

 

Thanks 

Pete

 

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Wednesday: Transplanting and Packing

 

 

Transplanting Leave 6:20am Start 6:30am at Riddell

Normal crew, plus AJ

There are 5 racks of a "good" plants gh, left. The last gh, however, is a real challenge.We will see how it goes.

Almost done!

Also, Gilberto is too nice sometimes. He didn't tell me that some people on the local crew, while walking, were not bending over and fixing plants with their hands, but were ineffectively attempting to use their feet instead. I would NOT have tolerated that for one SECOND!!! That is why we add more walkers when the plants are a challenge. On other years, we used ONE walker only. This year has been a challenge, and we have been using two, and three when it is really bad.  If the plants are not planted properly, they will die. If some plants die, our yields go down, and we are essentially wasting time and money.  I am paying you all for a service, I want the service to be done properly and effectively.  Kudos to those who have been doing it right all along. Thanks. 

Packing 7:00am, everyone else


Pete


Monday, August 10, 2020

Tuesday: No transplanting, everyone in at 7am

 Transplanting: It is still a bit too wet to go. Aiming for Wednesday.  The priority is harvesting and packing anyway...


Packing: 7:00am for everyone, please.

 

 


Sunday, August 9, 2020

Monday: No Transplanting, Limited Packing at 9:00am (With Correction)

 Transplanting:  We have 3 wagons left to do. We received 2.5 inches of rain this morning, the fields are soaked, and it impossible to plant.  We will go as soon as possible, Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Packing: On Saturday, we finished packing the wagons to compete the outgoing orders, so there is not stored broccoli to start with. We will have to wait until they harvest some, and bring it home. 

9:00am start Elisa,  Fran, Matthew, Seth, Sara(h)x3, Josh, Gracie, Gaige.


Friday, August 7, 2020

Saturday - Packing Only

No transplanting Saturday, packing only.  Transplanting will be finished next week at some point.  


Packing at 7:00am

Fran, Elisa, Sarah D, Sara N, Sarah L, Matt, Seth, Jaxon, Amos

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Friday Transplant and Packing

Transplant
Leave 6:10am, 6:30am start
Plus Fran and AJ, for the extra walker, everyone else the same.
Friday will be be the last day this week of transplanting, and we should finish the second last gh. Yah!
Tough sledding today, appreciate that everyone put the extra effort in.
Basically, you are planting October's harvest field.

Packing 7:00am Everyone else.
Lots of trucks going out in the next few days, thanks for your contribution to make that happen.

Thanks
Pete

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Thursday Transplant and Packing

Transplant, leave 6:10 start 6:30 Munn
Minus Fran, Plus AJ
\
Packing 7:00am

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Wednesday: Transplanting and Packing

Transplanting: 6:15am leave for 6:30am start
Regular transplanting crew. You will be coming back to the farm, once the field is finished, to pack for a little, while the transplanter is switching to the next field. 

Packing: 7:00am
Seth, Jaxon, Amos and Jillian

Monday, August 3, 2020

Tuesday: Transplanting is rained out. Packing is minimal



We got close to 3 inches of rain in 2 days, which is completely awesome.
We should be transplanting again by Wednesday.  8 wagon left,  4 big days and change.

Packing is minimal, I will just have the full season workers in, Elisa and Fran, 7:00am

Thanks
Pete

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Monday: Day Off for Transplanting and Packing




Transplanting

Nice rain...
We got 1.7 inches so far, more forecasted for today and tomorrow.
Take Monday off.

Packing
Not a big day.
Take Monday off.

Thanks
Pete



Friday, July 31, 2020

Saturday Transplanting and Packing






For summer students, it is the half way point.
For the harvest season people, it is the quarter way point.
For the full season people, it is the half way point.

Transplanting
6:00am Leave Canngreb, the goal is 2 irrigation runs.
Same people as Friday

Packing
7:00am, everyone else.

Thanks
Pete

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Friday

Transplanting
Same time and place, same people.
First off, thanks for another big day.
I did not intend to have that big of day, my apologies. I brought an extra rack out so that the round could be completed, but then I got busy and lost track of your progress.
Harvest is slowing down some, so I will be replacing the transplant crew between 2-4 each day, if I want to go later.
We are on a timeline of pressure to plant everything before Aug 6-10.
Please note that your long days have been greatly appreciated.
Also, I do not cultivating the field when it dry for a variety of reasons, one of which is the dry powder it creates.
Much apologies, thanks for hanging in there, all.

Packing
Last week I said that there would be less pressure to stay till 5 pm each night, and so far it has not happened.
Thanks for all who are hanging in there and are contributing to our daily outgoing orders.
Due to the long days, Friday is optional.
7:00am for the willing.

Thanks
Pete

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Thursday Transplanting and Packing

It is getting to be a pattern...

Transplanting leave 6:05am start 6:15am Riddell
Same people

Packing Starting at 7:00am

Thanks
Pete



Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Wed Transplanting and Packing

Wednesday

Transplanting
Same as Tuesday. Riddell, leave 6:05am start 6:15am
We stopped a bit early Tuesday, to make sure we could irrigate well.
Hoping for a fuller day Wednesday.

Packing 7:00am We have a major truck going out everyday, thanks for your contributions to make that happen.

Pete

Monday, July 27, 2020

Tuesday Transplanting and Packing

Transplanting
Leave 6:05am start 6:15 Riddell.
We are starting on the other side of field, enter field from Dashwood RD, west treeline.
Where we were today, there are irrigation pipes and it is blocked to vehicles.

Packing 7:00am We had a big harvest Monday, and it should continue Tuesday and Wed.

Pete

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Monday Transplanting leave 6:05 start 6:15am Packing 7:00am

Transplanting leave 6:05 start 6:15am
Riddell Farm, enter Clayton South along the ditch. We are doing the rows parallel and on the other side of the trees. For Clayton, we did the "house" side. Monday is the opposite side.
There are 19 wagons left.
I walked Clayton field, and looked at the recent planting. I was pleased to see the walkers doing a good job, there were few misses. Good work, keep that up.
If it rains substantially Monday, we will pack up and move to Munn farm on Tuesday. Day by day.

Packing 7:00am
We should have good harvest Monday.
Packing people, we have been at this three week now.
Each person's speed should be up to 5-6 standard proper sized bunches per minute, and 3-4 "14's" proper sized bunches per minute.
Anything that distracts one from doing so, should be self regulating.
We are paying for your productivity, and nothing else.

Pete

Friday, July 24, 2020

Saturday: Lighter Day, part group 8:00am

8:00am   Elisa, Fran, Sara(h)s X3, Matt, Seth, Jaxin, Amos, Jillian

Transplanting Update

I think we have 21 wagons left to plant, and about 2.5 weeks to do it.

We will be going full blast to get them in weather permitting.

Thanks
Pete

Quick Update Note....

Today, we will start having 3 harvest crews, instead of 2.
As a result, the harvest crews should be completing the daily harvest sooner, and returning home sooner.

Up until now, the locals have been working from 7-5pm on average, as to complete the outgoing order shipping that evening.
I have much gratitude for you all, staying all day. We are meeting our shipping goals each day. Thank you all!

Going forward, however, unless there is an emergency order going out, the locals will be released earlier, when all three harvest crews return, around 3pm or so.
We complete the daily harvest when we have accumulated the sufficient amount to complete the orders.
With 3 harvest crews, we will reach that goal sooner, than with 2 harvest crews.

Thanks
Pete


Thursday, July 23, 2020

Friday Starting time


I only have one wagon to start

7:00am Transplanter team people, Zurich group carload, including Jillian
9:00am Everyone else

Pete

Friday is a packing day, no transplanting.

The start time will be determined by what happens on the farm tonight, as far as what get packed, what orders are completed, and if there will be stored broccoli over night.

I will update later this evening.

Pete

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Thursday: Transplanting and Packing

Transplant at 6:00am leave 5:55am Same crew

Packing 7:00am everyone else, please

Pete

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Wednesday

Transplanting 5:55am leave 6am start. 
Same people and place

Packing 7:00am everyone else. 

Thanks
Pete

Monday, July 20, 2020

Tuesday

Transplanting 5:55am leave. 6:00am start 
Thanks for the enormous day on Monday, that was great. We have 1 more Gh to seed, and those racks and trays will be used to do it. 
Tuesday and Wednesday are big packing days, you may be asked to pack in the early afternoon. 

Packing
7:00am.  We had a full truck going out tonight, and you all helped make that happen, much appreciated. 
We have a 3 trucks coming in 2 days, one Tuesday, one Wednesday morning, one Wednesday night. Most of packing has to be done Tuesday. 
That is where you all come in.
Come in at 7am....

Thanks, 
Pete

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Monday

Transplanting leave 5:55am 6am start
Usual suspects.
Be prepared to pack when transplanting is complete. Big order going out Monday night...

Packing 7:00am everyone else.

We have had a power failure since 11am, just got the password for the blog, so I could post by phone. 
That is why I am late posting this. 

Friday, July 17, 2020

Saturday : Packing 8:00am Everyone

Few things..

First off, with your contributions, we are fulfilling our daily outgoing orders to our customers. Much appreciated.

It takes much effort to focus, all day, and to be highly productive, all day. For those whom this is your first place of employment, you are learning the meaning of endurance and character in the workplace. Great tools for anyone to have.

Tomorrow we are working on a 25 pallet order, and another 10 pallet order on top of that, to be shipped Sunday evening and Monday morning.

See you all at 8am.

Next week we start transplanting again, hopefully Monday.

Pete



Thursday, July 16, 2020

Friday Packing 9:00am Everyone SETH 8:00am

Thanks to all for helping getting today's order ready.

Tomorrow, we have another big one.
9:00am Packing

Seth, please come in at 8:00am 

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Thursday Start Time Change: 8:00am instead of 7:00am

I don't have a way to contact you all quickly

Thursday: Packing 7:00am

We have two big orders going out Thursday and Friday.
The priority is packing.
Thursday: 7:00am, everyone in.


Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Wednesday: Transplanting 5:55am leave No harvest, no packing

Transplanting:
Same crew, leave at 5:55am, 6:00am start, Clayton South.
Thanks Elisa for driving every day.


Packing:
We are not packing, as we are not harvesting Wednesday.
Back at it Thursday.

Pete


Monday, July 13, 2020

Transplanting and Packing



Transplanting
Same people as Monday,
Leave 5:45am Start 6am
  • Finish the 7 passes at CannGreb...
  • Then go home to pack for short period of time...
  • Then go back out to transplant at Clayton South.
  • Finish at a similar time as Monday
As the forecasted heat increases as the week goes on, we are trying to have a bigger front half in planting.

Packing
Everyone else, 7:00am
I received some good news from Zach today. I asked him to measure your times in the afternoon.
Every single person improved by 40%+  compared to the morning session... Great Work!
I appreciate that effort, very much.


Saturday, July 11, 2020

Monday: Transplanting and Packing





Monday
Transplanting
Leave farm at 5:45am Start at 6:00am
CannGreb Farm
Elisa = Drive Van
with...Fran, Josh, Sarah, Sara, Matthew, Sarah

Please bring appropriate food and drink, as breaks and Lunch will be in the field, and perhaps sunblock.
Mosquito repellent is provided.
"Normal days are 6am until 2-4pm, (We start early to minimize the heat of the day) with six people sitting on the transplanter, inserting plants into the rotating cups, with one or two people taking turns walking behind, making sure the plants are planted properly.
Every 1.5 hours, the transplanter needs to be loaded with plants and water, which everyone participates in completing this task.  

Packing
Everyone else, please come in and be prepared to work at 9:00am

Our harvest amounts will increase as different fields begin to be harvested.
Soon, the regular time for starting to pack will be 7:00am, beginning with a wagon that had been harvested and cooled the day before.

Pete



Friday, July 10, 2020

Saturday 8am Packing

Hello everyone.

Thank you for all your hard work today! For tomorrow, Saturday July 11, the following are in to bunch at 8:00am

Seth, Matthew, Josh, Fran, Elisa, Sara N, Sarah L, Sarah D and Kailee

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Friday, 8am Packing- Everyone.





First Day!

First days are filled with instruction and learning, with the aim to quickly adjust to the appropriate size of bunches and  speed.


Remember to bring a mask, please.

Pete


Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Thursday and Friday: Friday is the first packing day for locals



We did not harvest today (Wednesday).
We have no broccoli in the wagons to pack for Thursday morning.

But...starting Thursday, we should be harvesting every day.

Friday will be the first packing day for the locals.

I will post the starting Thursday night, for Friday morning, when I know the quantity of broccoli that needs to be packed.

Pete


Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Wednesday

On Monday and Tuesday, we had a small harvest.
We are bound to get more Thursday.

I will post Wednesday night.

Pete

Monday, July 6, 2020

Tuesday

We started harvest 2020 Monday night, 6pm. The guys are still out there. Not an overwhelming volume, but that is somewhat normal for the first day.
The goal is to get the locals in to pack this week, hopefully.... Thursday.
I will update you all each evening. 
Thanks
Pete

Sunday, July 5, 2020

This coming week... Update

Pete here.

We hope to start harvest Monday evening, and continue into Tuesday.
I usually get the people who cut the first harvest to pack it themselves, as the new guys see the results firsthand of how they cut.. (stock cut too long or too short, quality, maturity), and with this knowledge, they quickly learn the ropes.
As soon as we harvest in more quantity, I will call in local help to pack the product.

2020 brought with it 3 unusual events that have greatly impacted our season so far.
In April, we had below normal temps, and we had severe -5C freezing a few nights in a row. As are result, what we had planted had suffered and delayed, and we had to take a 10 day break in planting (first time ever taking a break).
The results of this is that we, for the first ever, started harvest in July instead of late June.
Also, we are not starting off with large volumes
We are not having a normal start to our year.

Second, with the Virus, 40% of our staff have not arrived yet, and when they do, they will be in quarantine for 2 weeks.
We will only have 2 harvest crews instead of 3, for July. That will impact our daily volume uptake.
But it will create an opportunity for the locals to take a larger roll in packing.

And thirdly, if that is a word, we are seeing unusually high temps forecasted for this week.
We have seen 30C forecasted for periods of time, but not 34C for a full week.
This will have a huge impact on how we transplant, harvest and pack.
High temps and heat warnings directly impact our field workers, and we will attempt to limit field work to morning and evening. This will change how we traditionally do things.

I will try and update daily, thanks for your patience, and your willingness to contribute to bringing fresh market vegetable to the people of Ontario.

Friday, July 3, 2020

2020 Harvest Season

Check this blog in the evenings to see if you are scheduled to work the next day. Harvest season will be beginning very soon, and we will need your help! Check regularly for updates