Community Shared Agriculture

WHAT IS A CSA???

Community shared agriculture or CSA is a unique arrangement between you the consumer and we, the farmer, in which you commit to paying a “share” or subscription fee at the first of the season for which you will be receive a “share” of the harvest throughout the growing season. This provides the farm with a stable early season income that helps to cover the cost of seed and supplies while providing you with peace of mind knowing you soon will be receiving weekly produce that is safe, wholesome, local and grown on land without the use of chemicals or synthetic pesticides.

The CSA model is aimed at consumers who want to develop a better relationship between themselves and the farmer to truly see where their food comes from and experience the weekly benefits of eating fresh and local organically produced food. The CSA model sets a high focus on eating locally and in season which means trying things that may be new and different.

A CSA membership includes:

• weekly newsletters which will highlight recipes and veggies storing tips
• farm stories including garden updates and upcoming harvests
• weekly recipies to help figure out what to do with all the veggies
• vegetable identifcation for those strange and unusual looking vegetables
• peace of mind knowing your food is local and organically grown
• open farm days to meet fellow CSA members and see where your veggies are actually grown
  

THE HARVEST

The size of the shares will be set up to be enough food for a family of four or two adults who truly enjoy cooking and entertaining. If there is enough interest, half shares will also be available for those who are not sure they could eat a full share. Because this is our first year, there may be some growing pains until we adjust the amount of food for the share which works for you.

We cannot predict exactly what will be in the boxes every week as that will depend on Mother Nature and what she has in store for us week to week. Its’ all part of the fun. Below is a sample of veggies that you can expect through the different seasons.

• Spring/early summer sample (late June –mid July): strawberries, lettuce heads, lettuce mix, spinach, radish, bok choi, summer turnip, Chinese cabbage, arugula, green onions, beet greens, swiss chard and mizuna

• Summer sample (mid July- end August): new potatoes, green, yellow and purple beans, lettuce mix, carrots, beets, green onions, summer onions, arugula, summer squash (zucchini), garlic, cabbage, cucumber, basil, cilantro, dill, broccoli, fennel, tomatoes, peppers, leeks, kale and cauliflower

• Fall sample (Sept - Oct) : potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnip, leeks, onions, pumpkins, gourds (for fall decorating), cabbage, beans, lettuce mix, spinach, broccoli, turnip, winter squash, peppers, tomatoes, rutabaga, shallots, garlic and kale

As our farm profile develops we will add more varieties of fruits to the shares including raspberries, high bush blueberries, apples and peaches. CSA membership also gives you discounted prices on our pasture raised chickens which will be available through the fall and winter (fresh when available and frozen)

FARM FUN

We look forward to hosting “welcome to the farm” events during the growing season so you and your family can get a hands on look at how we grow your food and see the good rich earth, which provides you with the beautiful fresh veggies every week. There will be opportunities to meet fellow CSA members, tour the farm and garden, meet farm animals, get your hands dirty by weeding, transplanting or thinning carrots or you can just sit, relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounding country-side views.

The price of the 2009 harvest share is $20/week, which is $320 for the growing season. Please ensure your shares are paid in full before April 30th to ensure your spot in the program is guaranteed.