Background

Shakefork Community Farm is a 6-acre, oxen-powered regenerative farm in Humboldt County, California, managed by Farmer Melanie and her husband Kevin since 2011. Their CSA, which started with just 15 members, has grown to over 130 members with a waitlist, thanks to their commitment to quality produce and strong community connections. Despite their success, by their 13th season, Melanie found that spreadsheets were holding them back.

"I was aligning my work to my spreadsheet, limiting the number of memberships and pickup locations based on how my spreadsheet could make it work,” Melanie explained. “Once you try adding in special orders and individual requests, it becomes very error-prone. I was starting to make a lot of mistakes.”

Recognizing the need for growth and efficiency, Melanie turned to Farmhand. After a live demo with Ari, the founder, she knew it was the right choice for her and her members.
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“I was using Excel, but that limits you, and I was always making mistakes. Farmhand has upleveled us to grow by introducing more pickup sites." - Melanie, Farmer at Shakefork Community Farm

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Starting Fresh with Farmhand

Within days of connecting, Farmhand delivered a new website for Shakefork—a project Melanie had been delaying for years—along with a custom email newsletter template, CSA member handbook, and an eCommerce shop for retail add-ons and flash sales.

“I knew what our website needed, but didn't have the tech skills or time to make SquareSpace do what I wanted it to do. Within two weeks, Farmhand took the website to a place I had been struggling to get to for 2 years,” said Melanie.

By partnering with Farmhand, Shakefork easily migrated existing members and opened enrollment for their 13th season earlier than planned. The new system's automated sign-ups, payment processing, and member communications allowed Melanie to finally retire her spreadsheet.
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“Before Farmhand, I would get text messages, Facebook/Instagram messages, emails from customers, all coming in from different channels. Farmhand has directed those small details and requests to one place. This is the first year I wasn’t answering all those little questions—it’s a huge mental timesaver!”

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Streamlined Fulfillment and Communications

On fulfillment day, custom reports, sign-in sheets, pack lists, and labels ensure minimal errors and faster packing. Self-service pickup sites have become more scalable, complete with sign-out sheets and customized pickup instructions sent to members on fulfillment day.
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“We always have our phones, so the SMS messages have been great for ordering/pickup alerts.” - Kya & Jill, members since 2011

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Future-Focused on Relationship Building

With Farmhand handling communications, support, billing, and order reports, Melanie has reclaimed valuable time to focus on engaging her community—something she’s always been passionate about and wanted more time to do. 
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“I know how much personal attention matters in a CSA. We average a 90% member retention rate, but that number is closer to 100% at the pickup sites where Kevin and I have a presence. Now, I can take that time to write custom notes, and just check in.”
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Overall, Farmhand has given Melanie not just time, but a renewed love for farming. “I love being accountable to my members. They make me want to be a better farmer, and I am because I get to know the faces and families I’m growing for. That gives meaning back to what we do each and every day.”

Kya & Jill, Members since 2011: “Our favorite part of being a member is the local connection and getting to hear about the behind-the-scenes at the farm. Farmhand has enabled Melanie to do that, and the communication and engagement with us members has really improved. That’s the best part.”

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Since transitioning to Farmhand, Shakefork Community Farm has streamlined operations and saved over 10 hours weekly, allowing Melanie to engage more with her community—achieving a 90-100% member retention rate, well above the industry average of 45%.