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How to Become Part of a Crop Mob

Crop Mobs are a new movement that I suspect will spread like wildfire. If you’re a small-scale, sustainable farmer they can be a lifesaver.

And if you’re without ample land they’ll rescue you from growers lust and put you in touch with the source of your food. :)Anyone can participate.

Photo Caption: Photo by David La Spina for the New York Times

It’s not charity. The premise is that people who want to farm sustainably band together in a Crop Mob. When one of the members needs help on a farm, a work day is scheduled. Major tasks that would take a farmer and a few farmhands weeks can be knocked out in mere hours.

If you don’t work, you don’t get help. It’s that simple. No money is exchanged and the mobbers socialize and eat together after the labor is accomplished. The “landless” get to trade information with experienced farmers. True farm community spirit!

The first official Crop Mob was started in the Triangle area in North Carolina. Check out their website for more details or subscribe to their blog for updates. You can also read about them in the New York Times.

Spin-off groups have already started. If you’d like to get involved the Crop Mob website recommends these guidelines:

  • No money is exchanged.
  • Work is done on small-scale, sustainable farms and gardens.
  • A meal is shared, often provided by the host.
  • This is not a charity. We crop mob for crop mobbers.

I’m hoping someone starts a crop mob near me soon, I’ll be there!

*Edit* By late morning on 2/25/2010 I am considering starting a Crop Mob group in our area. Also, check out this post on the Cricket Bread blog… so glad to find it!

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Eliza Lord

I'm a Greenville, SC native (the Appalachian foothills) who wears the hats of Greenville Master Gardener & Upstate Master Naturalist. I love to write about food and sustainability.

17 thoughts on “How to Become Part of a Crop Mob”

  1. Trace - February 25, 2010 9:54 am

    If you are interested in starting your own, we can offer some start up support just to get things going. We have some pretty detailed documents that we wrote up for a presentation oat the last CFSA conference.

    Trace
    Crop Mob

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 25, 2010 10:36 am

      Thanks! I’ll consider it, I may not have the time at the moment but I’ll at least look around for someone who does. :)

      Appreciate you dropping in to let us know!

      1. Sustainahillbilly
        Twitter: appalachianfeet
        - February 25, 2010 10:47 am

        Actually, I’ve about decided I do have time for it. I’m probably ideal since I have lots of local farm connections and I already run Green Drinks. I’d love to have the documents!

  2. KDilley - February 25, 2010 11:15 am

    Yes! I love this! And—-I love your blog too, what a great resource!

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 25, 2010 11:36 am

      Thanks! :)

  3. Liza - February 25, 2010 12:50 pm

    Awesome post, awesomer idea – I had no idea crop mobs existed, but damn, I am glad they do! Thanks for the post.

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 25, 2010 6:05 pm

      I’m so excited about it!

  4. Sandra - February 25, 2010 6:15 pm

    Great idea and hope it does catch on; probably will, especially in urban-ish areas.
    Got your e-mail, will respond next week; am off the farm now.
    Do you know about this –
    http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=14469696
    Monsanto and it’s quest to rule the world’s food supply.

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 25, 2010 10:18 pm

      Yeah, sadly. Monsanto is terrible. :(

      Looking forward to the email!

  5. Anna - February 25, 2010 7:02 pm

    I’ve wanted to do exactly this, but didn’t know it had a name! I’ve been pondering doing it on a smaller scale with just a farming friend or two, though. I may have to get my act together and start organizing…

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 25, 2010 10:18 pm

      Awesome!

  6. tina - February 26, 2010 8:51 am

    Sounds like a great idea!

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 26, 2010 8:55 am

      :)

  7. Donna Putney - February 26, 2010 9:32 am

    Sounds very good. We will also support it and publicise on Upstate Locally Grown. I already know one grower who is putting up a greenhouse and could use some help.

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 26, 2010 1:44 pm

      Thanks Donna! I’ll let you know when I have a plan in place.

  8. Tatyana - February 26, 2010 3:12 pm

    What a great idea! I like the name too!

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 26, 2010 3:15 pm

      Yeah, the name is really funny. :)

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