|
 |
|
|
WHAT IS CSA????
Food is a basic human need but for most of us in the U.S., it is merely an inexpensive commodity that we take for granted. Questions such as how, where, or by whom it is grown are not generally the topic of conversation around the dinner table. Considering the current situation in agriculture, perhaps more people should be aware of what is occurring in our food distribution. Food travels an average of 1,300 miles from farm to supermarket. Almost every state in the U.S. buys 85% of its food from some place else. The nation’s best farmland is being lost to commercial and residential development at an accelerating rate. At the same time, the retirement of older farmers, increasing land and production costs, low food prices, competing land uses, the lack of incentive for young people to enter farming, and the fundamental restructuring of the national and global economy all combine to make farming and local food production in the U.S. an increasingly difficult task. CSA represents a viable alternative to the prevailing situation and long-distance relationship most of us have with the food we eat.
CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters, which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of 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 the farmer. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. 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. This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.
CSA involves responsibility on the customer’s part—to pay up front for the food, to pick up the products on assigned days, return baskets or other containers, and to accept some risk for failed crops. Often shares are not customized, and you must have an open mind about the type of produce you will receive and be willing to try new things. For us, the grower, we have a responsibility to grow your food in a responsible and harmonious way, assure a continuous supply of produce by successive planting, and provide the highest quality product by controlling pests using organic methods such as companion planting, row covers and non-chemical pest control. Several advantages to the direct marketing approach of CSA are the minimal loss and waste of harvested farm produce, little or reduced need for long-term storage, and a willingness by members to accept produce with natural cosmetic imperfections.
WHY JOIN A CSA?
THE SHAREHOLDERS
· Receive fresh, contamination-free vegetables and herbs on the day of harvest
· Pay close to supermarket prices for fresh, organic produce
· Know where and how their food is grown, who grows it, and have the opportunity to partake in the miracle of growing food
· Are provided with a structure through which they can support a viable local agriculture, preserve local farmland, and contribute to a healthy local economy
· Have the opportunity to gain knowledge of growing food and stewardship of the Earth
· Become more aware of their relation to the land, farm life, and processes that make our lives possible
THE FARMERS
· Are given the opportunity to make viable income by growing food in a responsible and harmonious way, directly supported by the consumer-no middleman
· Have the pleasure of knowing who their product is going to and consequently feel more care, responsibility, and reward in their work
· With a “guaranteed market” for their produce, farmers can invest their time in doing the best job they can producing food rather than marketing their products
THE FARMS
· Are preserved from development
· Are preserved from harmful farming practices
· Are nurtured into a fertile, bountiful land
THE GREATER COMMUNITY
· Benefits by the preservation of open spaces, and the maintenance of an important agricultural component that is rapidly being consumed by development and industry—by preserving this diversity the community becomes a more whole and satisfying place to live
· Is strengthened by the bringing together of people who share healthy concerns about our future
· Gets an economic boost when food dollars remain within the community rather than supporting out-of state corporations
After reviewing several CSA programs across the country, especially the few CSA’s in Kentucky, we have come up with our own program that we think will be fair in price and quantity to both the shareholder and to us. I highly recommend you go to Localharvest.org and narrow your search to CSA programs in Kentucky to compare the different CSA’s in our own state. Our program will run for 20 weeks beginning April 15 and running until the end of August. The cost will be $425 for a full share and $250 for a ½ share. This works out to be $21.25 a week for a full share and $12.50 per week for a half-share. We also will offer a fresh cut flower bouquet each week for an additional $6.00 per week. Most CSA’s ask for full payment up front, but we realize that might not be financially possible for everyone. We are more comfortable asking for ½ up front due February 28th with the second payment due June 2. We have spent hours working up worst-case/best-case scenarios along with tables on expected yields, seeding rates, etc. to make sure we can provide what we promise. Going into our third year, we feel we have learned a lot and have made changes to the program that we think will improve it over last year. We will have a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on February 11th at the Pella Window Store in Murray. If you were involved with the CSA last year you do not need to attend the meeting unless you want to or you have a new person you want to introduce to the concept of CSA’s. Those people who were members last year will have first chance at a share this year.
This shows a proposed week by week distribution of a full share of produce. Quantities are only estimates. Spring shares tend to be smaller but increase as we go into the Summer garden. Prices reflect what we have been charging for the last 3 years at the farm and Farmer’s Market. We do not fluctuate our prices like the grocery stores do. We try to charge what we think is a fair price and close to the going “organic prices” which we acquire from Growing For Market magazine on a monthly basis. As we are not certified organic, we feel we cannot charge as much as some of the producers especially those located in a large urban area.
April 15
1 head Romaine-$2.50
1 large bag Mesclun-$6.00
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
½ lb. Spring Greens-$.75
Total-$10.75
|
April 22
1 head Romaine-$2.50
1 large bag Mesclun-$6.00
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
½ lb. Snow Peas-$1.50
½ lb. Spring Greens-$.75
Total-$12.25
|
April 29
1 head Romaine-$2.50
1 large bag Mesclun-$6.00
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
1 lb. Spring greens-$1.50
½ lb. Snow Peas-$1.50
Total-$13.00
|
May 6
1 head Romaine-$2.50
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
1 lb. Spring greens-$1.50
1 large bag Mesclun-$6.00
Total-$11.50
|
May 13
1 head Romaine-$2.50
1/2 lb. Spring Greens-$.75
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
1 dozen eggs-$2.00
Total-$6.75
|
May 20
1/2 lb. Spring Greens-$.75
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
1 dozen eggs-$2.00
2 bunches Broccoli-$5.00
Total-$9.25
|
June 3
4 lb. Cabbage-$3.00
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 bunch Green onions-$1.50
2 bunches Broccoli-$5.00
1 quart Strawberries-$3.00
2 lbs. Summer squash-$3.00
Total-$16.75
|
June 10
4 lb. Cabbage-$3.00
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 quart Strawberries-$3.00
Total-$14.75
|
June 17
4 lb. Cabbage-$3.00
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 dozen Sweet corn-$3.00
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 quart Strawberries-$3.00
Total-$17.75
|
June 24
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 dozen Sweet corn-$3.00
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
1 pint Blackberries-$2.50
1 dozen eggs-$2.00
1 quart Strawberries-$3.00
Total-$26.75
|
July 1
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 dozen Sweet corn-$3.00
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
1 pint Blackberries-$2.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
Total-$27.75
|
July 8
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 pint Blackberries-$2.50
1 dozen Sweet Corn-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
Total-$27.75
|
July 15
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
2 lb. Purple Hull Peas-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
1 dozen Sweet Corn-$3.00
1 pint Blackberries-$2.50
Total-$32.25
|
July 22
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
2 lb. Purple Hull Peas-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
2 lb. Okra-$4.50
1 dozen Sweet Corn-$3.00
Total-$34.25
|
July 29
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
1 lb. Eggplant-$1.50
1 Watermelon-$2.00
2 lb. Purple Hull Peas-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
2 lb.Okra-$4.50
Total-$34.75
|
August 5
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
1 pint Salad Tomatoes-$2.00
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
1 lb. Eggplant-$1.50
1 Watermelon-$2.00
2 lb. Purple Hull Peas-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
2 lb. Okra-$4.50
Total-$34.75
|
August 12
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
1 lb. Cucumbers-$1.25
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
1 lb. Eggplant-$1.50
1 Watermelon-$2.00
2 lb. Purple Hull Peas-$3.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
2 lb. Okra-$4.50
Total-$32.75
|
August 19
2 lb. Green beans-$3.00
3 lb. Summer squash-$4.50
2 lb. Cucumbers-$2.50
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
¼ lb. Garlic-$1.50
1 Cantaloupe-$1.50
1 lb. Eggplant-$1.50
1 Watermelon-$2.00
1 lb. Sweet Peppers-$2.50
2 lb. Okra-$4.50
Total-$31.00
|
August 26
2 lb. Green Beans-$3.00
1 dozen Eggs-$2.00
2 lb. Cucumbers-$2.50
5 lb. Tomatoes-$7.50
2 lb. Okra-$4.50
Total-$19.50
|
|
|
1st 10 Weeks-$123.50
2nd 10 Weeks-$301.50
20 Week total-$425.00
CSA FULL SHARE 2008
BEANS, GREEN
24 LB. $1.50 LB. = $36.00
BLACKBERRIES
4 PINTS $2.50 PINT = $10.00
BROCCOLI
6 BUNCHES $2.50 BUNCH $15.00
CABBAGE
16 LB. $.75 LB. $12.00
CANTALOUPE
6 EACH $1.50 EACH $9.00
CORN
6 DOZEN $3.00 DOZEN $18.00
CUCUMBERS
16 LB. $1.25 LB. $20.00
EGGPLANT
4 LB. $1.50 LB. $6.00
EGGS
4 DOZEN $2.00 DOZEN $8.00
GARLIC
2 LB. $6.00 LB. $12.00
GREENS, SPRING
4 LB. $1.50 LB. $6.00
LETTUCE, ROMAINE
5 EACH $2.50 EACH $12.50
MESCLUN MIX
4 LARGE BAGS $6.00 EACH $24.00
OKRA
12 LB. $2.25 LB. $27.00
ONIONS, GREEN
8 BUNCHES $1.50 BUNCH $12.00
PEAS, PURPLE HULL
10 LB. $1.50 LB. $15.00
PEAS, SNOW
1 LB. $3.00 LB. $3.00
PEPPERS, SWEET
8 LB. $2.50 LB. $20.00
SQUASH, SUMMER
35 LB. $1.50 LB. $52.50
STRAWBERRIES
4 QUARTS $3.00 QUART $12.00
TOMATOES
50 LB. $1.50 LB. $75.00
TOMATOES, SALAD
6 PINTS $2.00 PINT $12.00
WATERMELON
4 EACH $2.00 EACH $8.00
TOTAL =$425.00
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ENCLOSED IN ATTACHMENTS BELOW CONCERNING HALF-SHARES, CONTRACT RATES, ETC.
What is CSA???
Printable Contract
Full Share Information
Full Share Weekly Distributions
Half Share Information
Half Share Weekly Distributions
|
|
|
|
