|
What is CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture is a system that connects people to
an environmentally responsible source of food from a local farm.
CSA’s are instrumental in re-developing a local and regional supply
of healthy food and in supporting a strong local economy. Being an
owner in a CSA encourages land stewardship and a sense of community.
Community Supported Agriculture is a way to bring fresh, high
quality local produce and grass-fed meats from our farm to you on a
weekly basis. As a member in our farm subscription, you own a share
of the harvest and by doing so, participate in growing your own
food. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout
the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food
along with us. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship
between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown
and those who grow it. Shares can be picked up at several convenient
locations on the designated day and time. Home or work delivery may
also be an option - contact us for details on delivery.
Benefits:
1. You benefit by receiving a weekly box of organically grown,
freshly-picked produce (fruits, vegetables and herbs). If you are
purchasing a Meat CSA share, then you receive a monthly box of
grass-fed chicken, lamb, turkey and pork. You will also receive
recipes and tips on storage and preparation. We plant many heirloom
varieties producing the kind of flavor, quality and variety that you
rarely find in the supermarket. As a member, you experience first-
hand how your food is grown, and learn about the risks involved.
Both our Summer Produce CSA and our Meat CSA are a great value
versus what one would pay in an organic grocery store.
2. We benefit because members pay for their share up front, which
helps us determine how much to plant, and helps cover the costs of
planting, labor, equipment and supplies. It also ensures that we'll
have regular customers and therefore helps our farm survive into the
next generation.
3. The environment benefits because of the practices that we
incorporate into our farming system. Firstly, we don’t use synthetic
pesticides or herbicides, nor commercial fertilizers. Synthetic
fertilizers don’t contain the micronutrients that create healthy
soils. They contain only nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Fossil
fuels are used in the production of commercial fertilizers. The
nutrients, and micronutrients, one needs from our food have to come
from the soil. If they are not replenished, the soil and anything
that grows in it becomes deficient. We rotate the animals through
our garden in the off season, particularly the chickens. This helps
to fertilize the garden and to reduce insects and weeds. We
fertilize our garden with compost from our lambing barn and chicken
brooders. We mulch with straw grown on our own farm. By growing
plants that attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs and bees, and
also growing plants that discourage pests, we let nature do the
work. All of this works biodynamically to create healthy soils
thereby allowing us to produce foods that are higher in essential
vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients than what you find in the
grocery store. Our produce is picked when it is ready, so it is more
densely packed with nutrients. Our animals are all rotationally
grazed on pasture, therefore meat has higher nutrient values.
Because you are buying locally grown food you are helping to support
the re-birth of local food systems. You are also reducing the use of
fossil fuels whereas food that is bought in grocery stores travels
an average of 1500 miles before reaching the consumer.
Applications for our Summer Produce CSA are due. The number of CSA
subscriptions is limited and allocated on a first-come, first
-served basis so get your application and check in as soon as
possible!
Our Meat CSA has a rolling admissions policy and there are still
spots left!
Click the links below for more detailed information on the
Produce and Meat options:
2010 Produce CSA is full for the season but the Meat CSA has a
rolling admission.
2010 Meat CSA |
