Farmer Spotlight: Tyler McCourt
Photo by Chelsea Dimyan, Chelsea Photography Design
If you happen to pop in to the Spade & Plow packing shed on any average Tuesday, you’re likely to hear a combination of all sorts of sounds... the wash-line processing hundreds of carrots, the sound of spinning wheels underneath the flow rack as boxes are passed from one person to the next, and, without fail, an unlikely combination of heavy metal, jazz, and The Beatles on our dusty shed speaker. Tyler makes the shed a lively place -playing DJ, navigating the pack-line, and assisting in any way he can.
“How can we best support the people who want to support us?”
Tyler supporting the weight of all the carrot lovers!
Photo by Chelsea Dimyan, Chelsea Photography Design
Reigning as a bay area native, Tyler studied Environmental Science at De Anza College. With passion for sustainable agriculture, Tyler came to us from Whole Foods Market where he and co-owner Sam first met. In between training and scheduling new team members, collaborating with different departments, and making the best apple displays Whole Foods ever saw, Tyler continued to grow as a leader. He strives to strengthen the community ties both within Spade & Plow and between customers and their food. Six years of Whole Foods experience later, and with a sprinkle of convincing from a friend starting a local farm, Tyler decided to hop over to San Martin to see what this “CSA” program was all about. Fortunately for us, he never turned back.
Tyler was hired on staff over two years ago as the CSA manager with a long list of systems to improve, grow, and bring passion to. Because of his curiosity and honesty, Tyler worked alongside the founders and owners of Spade and Plow to assist them in logistical needs of the CSA program as well as implementing services that are customer-centric. He constantly asks the question about our faithful CSA customers, “How can we best support the people who want to support us?”
Tyler admits to not even knowing what the term ‘CSA’ stood for when starting at Spade & Plow. Since then, he’s learned a lot including how to best carry 50 pound sacks of artichokes through the mud, help with endless CSA logistics, and finally decide on his favorite vegetable. Yes, Tyler has fully committed to potatoes being his life-long favorite vegetable (his weekly box feels the weight of this commitment).
The CSA Pack-Line
Photo by Chelsea Dimyan, Chelsea Photography Design
“The ultimate gift someone can give you is their time.”
Photo by Chelsea Dimyan, Chelsea Photography Design
It’s easy to say that we’re ‘just farming’ here at Spade & Plow. But culture influencers like Tyler show that each employee's role here goes far beyond the veggies. Tyler shares that at the shed and in the field, he’s learned a lot about patience, the importance of inclusivity, acting on feedback, and coming together for a common goal. His care for the Spade & Plow staff and customers is undoubtable. And all of the washing, clacking, and cart sounds from the shed are much louder and enjoyable because of the care he puts into every detail.