Plot of Hope, Produce Production and Business Planning - Union Bridge Church of the Brethren

For more information contact Dwight Dotterer - Dwight.Dotterer@maryland.gov

Department or Agency Name: Union Bridge Church of the Brethren
Work Location/Address: 124 S Main St Union Bridge MD 21791
Phone Number: 410-775-2717
Website: https://www.ubcob.org/plot-of-hope
Name/Title of Immediate Supervisor: Dwight Dotterer/congregation member, local
farmer, Administrator of the Nutrient Management Program and MDA
Work Schedule: April-August (willing to work with expectations of program to
accommodate hours needed for completion)
Wages: Competitive hourly wage

Background of Program:
Two years ago, our congregation, alongside some neighbors, began a “fun project” to
provide vegetables to our neighbors. Union Bridge does not have a grocery store that
sells fresh produce, so we decided to use our land to offer something back to our
neighbors. After two years of working together with our neighbors a new vision for our 4
acres has developed. We would like to see our acreage move from a small plot of
vegetables and flowers to an urban farm. We are just starting this program, and our
acreage is currently 4 acres of hay. An intern will work with us to see this program grow
from ground zero. This Fall (2025) we are working on getting a well put on the property
to help with watering in Spring/Summer 2026. Depending on when the student begins,
they will assist from the beginning of putting the first shovel into the ground and move
towards networking with our neighbors.

Main Job Expectations:
1) Help develop a business plan for the program
2) Networking with neighbors to get people involved
3) Assist with distribution plan of produce
4) Work on the property overseeing produce growth and any areas of
concern/future development
a. Poor production of any crop and why
b. Offer suggestions of what is working and what isn’t
c. If necessary drive tractors or work tillers in areas that work is needed
d. If necessary water or weed any of the vegetable plots (we should have
volunteers lined up for this)

Hopeful skills of Student:
1) People skills – engaging conversations with strangers, making “cold calls” if
needed
2) Creative – brainstorming new ideas with the committee
3) Joy for urban farming – sharing the joy when networking with hopeful new
partners
4) Microsoft skills – writing letters, building excel sheets, creating power point
presentations if any of this is needed for the business plan development
5) Passion for serving those in need – this program is serving a need for the town of
Union Bridge, this work will hopefully empower our neighbors to be a part of
something purposeful
6) An understanding of the importance of distribution of produce and how to make
that happen
7) Experience with small machinery (or willing to learn)
8) Eager to offer manual labor alongside the logistics of the business plan

Machinery Used for the Program:
1) 30hp farm tractor,
2) tractor mounted 6' tiller,
3) rotary mower,
4) tractor mounted row cultivator,
5) walk behind tiller.