Phil Larson of Jamestown spent a recent sunny Saturday morning volunteering at the Community Farm. New volunteers are always welcome. Photo by Caitlin Downing This summer’s wet, cool weather may have some farmers wringing their hands, but not Bob Sutton. As manager of the Jamestown Community Farm, he knows that a nice stretch of good weather is all it takes to get things back on track.

“The ground is wet, and the cold and the amount of rain have retarded some growth,” Sutton said. “But vegetables are hardy things. They want to live.”

That relaxed attitude has served Sutton well in his role at the Community Farm, especially when working with new volunteers. No gardening expertise is required to volunteer, he said, nor is any knowledge that “can’t be taught in the first five minutes.”

Approximately eight to 10 volunteers typically come out to work during the farm’s hours, Sutton said. “It’s not always the same people,” he said. “We do good with kids looking to earn community service hours.”

Volunteers are needed to plant, weed and harvest the farm’s crops, which include tomatoes, beans, beets, squash and cucumbers, as well as other vegetables. All of the food grown is donated to area organizations and food pantries, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, the Poverello Center in Providence, the Church of God in Peacedale and Pemberton apartments in Jamestown, according to Sutton.

“We also run a vegetable stand here at the farm on Saturday mornings,” he said. “That money is used for the following year, for seed and fuel. It takes about $3,000 a year [to run the farm].”

What the money is not used for is herbicides, pesticides and irrigation, Sutton said, adding that the community farm uses none of those things. “We try to grow without changing anything,” he said. “Whatever the world gives it, that’s what it is.”

Crops are planted on approximately 3.5 acres within a deer fence on property owned by Peter and Jan Ceppi, who donate the use of the land located at the corner of East Shore Road and Eldred Avenue to the farm.

The farm, part of the Conanicut Island Land Trust, was organized to “allow volunteers in the community and the state the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables and other agricultural products and distributes this produce at no charge to organizations responsible for feeding the poor,” according to the Conanicut Island Land Trust website.

Harvesting is a constant activity, Sutton said, adding that the farm produces between 14,000 and 15,000 pounds of vegetables per year.

The farm has good soil for planting, according to Sutton. “We grow good tomatoes,” he said. “We produced two tons last year from more than 300 plants.”

As for this year’s crops, Sutton said the winter squash seem to have liked the wet weather the least. But he is not concerned.

“We take what we get,” he said. “We try to learn and make it better.”

New volunteers are always welcome at the Community Farm, which is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. No prior experience or gardening knowledge is necessary. Children younger than 13 are welcome to come with their parents, and students who need community service credits can sign the book in the office to track their hours.