Each year from March to November, our field crew is hard at work preparing fields, planting crops, and harvesting yields. They are an integral part of what makes Bartlett’s Bartlett’s and without them we wouldn’t have all the plentiful crops we offer here at the Market!
The field crew left in early November to head back home to Jamaica where they will spend the next few months with friends and family before coming back to Nantucket for another busy growing season.
Before their departure, I had a chance to talk with the guys about their experience here at Bartlett’s. All 13 of them have nicknames that they are affectionately referred to as. We’ve got Tall Man, Short Man, and Pants. Preacher, D-9, Cutter, and Baby Face (just to name a few). Some of these nicknames refer to their appearance, how they talk, or how they eat. Pants is called that because he is notoriously known for wearing skinny pants. Cutter is called that because he likes to cut up his food into small pieces before eating it.
Head Farmer, Dave Bartlett has been a mentor and worked alongside the guys throughout the season, teaching them new skills and helping them to produce the best crops they can. Khade (Biggles) says, “Dave treats us like family. Even when we make mistakes he’s understanding.” Although there is a strong sense of camaraderie, the team agreed that they still have their ups and down. They’re human so there are disagreements but they know they can always be worked out.
Working the fields is no easy task and takes grit, hard-work, and dedication. Mickroy (Elder Roy) has come back three years in a row. “I learn more every year! This year I learned how to operate the forklift, and we planted string beans, carrots, organic kale, and scallions,” he explained. Owen (Preacher) loves, “the experience of working outside of Jamaica and the process of learning so many new things.”
He also added, “I want to work for Bartlett’s Farm as long as there is a Bartlett’s Farm. This has changed my life. It let me get my own car and expand my farm at home. I’m going to implement some techniques I learned at home.” For Desmond (Rusty), it was his first year as part of the field crew. He said that “coming here was like getting paid for vacation. I loved it so much. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wish I could stay forever.”
We wish you could all too.
-written by Isabelle Nicolas, Farm Stand Concierge