What kind of products are available?
a. Products that are safe, healthy, and ecological. We employ safe practices that forbid synthetic hormones, chemical fertilizers, and so forth. Our method is to develop and maintain an ecological system where nature’s life-giving processes are encouraged by proper management based on care for Creation as primary.
b. In-season vegetables. We choose varieties for taste and our shareholders affirm this value! According to the USDA, the eight most popular vegetables are carrots, lettuce, sweet corn, tomatoes, broccoli, green beans, onions, and potatoes. In addition to these, we grow radishes, various greens including arugula and spinach, peppers, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, wax beans, asparagus, some herbs, garlic, tall sunflowers, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and more. Click here to see a list of the garden crops we are growing this season. And we always experiment with a few new crops each year. Our vegetables are offered to CSA shareholders only, by two methods. Some shareholders choose you-pick, coming to the farm each week [Monday-Saturday] to harvest their own ripe vegetables from our 52 garden beds, which ensures freshness. We ask that there be no harvest on Sundays, a day of rest. Others pick up a picked-for-you box each week.
c. Pastured poultry/chicken. Our meat chickens are raised in pasture pens which are moved daily, providing a clean environment and varied diet for the birds, including clover, bugs, and natural grit as well as commercial corn & bean meal, fish meal, and a balanced mineral mix. The birds are processed by a small, family-owned-and-operated processor and are shrink-wrappedin plastic. Shareholders are asked to contribute to the proper handling of poultry by keeping the birds as cold as possible in transit and until use. We recommend cooking or freezing within 24-36 hours. The birds freeze well for many months. See www.eatwild.com for a description of the benefits of grassfed meats.
d. Pastured poultry/turkey. Like our meat chickens, our turkeys are raised on fresh pasture in a clean environment to produce exceptional meat. We offer two types of turkey: the more common large-breasted commercial “Broad Breasted White,” and the smaller, more flavorful Mixed Heritage breeds. Handling requirements for turkey is similar to that of chicken, detailed above.
e. Grassfed/grass-finished beef. Our calves are moved to fresh, natural pasture regularly. Our grassfed beef is different than commercial beef: we finish dairy breeds (typically Jersey and Jersey-cross) on pasture, butchering at 850-950 lbs, which means that the sides and cuts are smaller. The volume of a typical quarter is equivalent to what would fit in a laundry basket. Shareholders receive a “split side” that typically includes 1 arm roast, 2 chuck roasts, 1 sirloin tip roast, 1 rump roast, 1 pkg ribs, 2 pkgs round steak, 2 pkgs cube steak from round, 2 pkgs sirloin steak, 6 Delmonico steaks, 6 T-bone steaks, and 20-30 lbs lean burger. (Click here for information on cuts.) Indeed, the beef is much leaner and must be cooked “low (heat) and slow” to ensure flavor and tenderness.
f. Pastured pork. Our heritage breed Tamworth pigs eat pasture, garden scraps, and grain. We allow our pigs to get bigger than usual, providing large pork chops for your plate and tastier meat! Again, expect the volume of a laundry basket from a half-hog.
g. Experimental crops and “extras." We’d like to offer a wide variety of farm-fresh products, and so we continue experimenting with some new items each year, the harvest of which we will provide to our shareholders as part of their regular share. We plant a few flowers that shareholders cut to take home as they bloom—a bouquet to brighten your home! Last year some of our shareholders took home a few grapes from our vines and peaches and cherries from our tree.
h. Eggs. We have about 60 laying hens that live on the pasture. The egg yolks are dark orange—high in beta carotene—and they stand up tall, a sign of freshness. They taste great!
Can I pick and choose the types of “shares” I desire?
Only to a limited degree. We offer two options:
1. A “full harvest share” that includes weekly in-season vegetables, eggs, 20 meat chickens, a Thanksgiving turkey, a split side (quarter) of beef, and a half hog (pork) at a discount.
2. You can order “a la carte” from the order form with no discount.
Can I order any products without having to purchase a share?
Yes. Just use the order form to indicate the products you wish to buy. Or you can stop by our farm store.
When are products available?
Our focus is to provide fresh products seasonally. We also now keep a number of items on hand in our new farm store, including fresh eggs, raw-milk cheese from grassfed Jersey cows, local maple syrup and honey, frozen whole chickens and turkeys, ground “steakburger” beef in bulk and patties, beef cut, pork cuts, ham slices, pepperoni, and pulled pork. Check with us as this list is subject to change.
Can I afford it?
Sticker shock is a concern, in part because many of us don’t realize how much annually we spend for food. In 2007, the average American family spent $6133 for food, which is $118/week.
What payment methods for shares are available?
Payments can be made by cash, check, or by PayPal if an electronic transfer from a bank account or credit card is desired.
How is this a community-supported venture?
It is based on the true sharing of shareholders—sharing the benefits and the risks, sharing the bonuses and the limitations. As you can see, we ask you to be part of a community that shares by:
a. Making a commitment for the entire year, so we aren’t spending more time marketing than tending and tilling.
b. Dividing your own share (if you share with others), so that we are not overwhelmed trying to sort out who gets what each week.
c. Paying a significant portion up front, to keep costs lower and provide capital for seed, livestock, etc.
d. Allowing us to receive payment electronically through PayPal, so we aren’t spending more time on office work than on farm work.
e. Harvesting most of your own produce each week, so that we aren’t picking a day or two ahead, which means you get less-than-fresh vegetables.
f. Volunteering to work on the farm, especially during the more labor-intensive times of the year. While this is not a requirement of shareholders, those who are so inclined are welcome to help at specific times. We typically plan a number of workdays (probably Saturday mornings). Or you can set up a time to come out and work at your convenience!
g. Spreading the word, so that all may benefit from a stable business that keeps on providing good food for years to come.
h. Promoting local food, family farms, sustainable agriculture, care of the earth, the enjoyment of nature, and gratitude to the Creator—participating in the community of Creation!
How do I begin?
a. Follow the steps to complete the order form.
b. During on of your first visits to the farm, we will go with you to the gardens in order to orient you.
c. We send a weekly e-mail to inform shareholders what crops are ready to harvest and how much of each to take. This information is also posted at the farm.
d. Provide feedback so that we can continually learn from each other.
e. Eat with thought and gratitude!