Basically, a farmer offers "shares" of the bounty from the farm to the "member" (a.k.a. you). Some C.S.A's offer just vegetables, only meats, a combination of both, or some may even add in other things that are produced on the farm such as honey, eggs, or hand made items & preserves.
Usually, one share consists of a basket full of goodies provided on a weekly (Full-share) or bi-weekly (half-share) basis. Our C.S.A. Runs from May- October. In the earlier months you may see things such as salad greens, spring peas, radishes, and other quick growing crops that can handle our cool Wisconsin Springs. Through out the season the baskets/boxes will vary in size (usually between 4-25+ pounds).
The farmer is paid in advance before the season begins. This way the farmer will know how many shares to plan for, as well as how many seeds and supplies to purchase. This will also help pay for the feed, labor & repairs that will go into the farm.
There are so many benefits to a C.S.A. for both the farmer and the member.
- You get to meet new people & build new relationships with people who you most likely have a lot in common with.
- You become exposed to many new varieties of foods. Talk about variety. Most of the vegetables on this farm are the same foods our ancestors ate. Plus you learn to cook new things.
- You are eating seasonally, as well as locally, which is essentially saving the planet, because we don't have to ship the food we grow and use up our planet's precious resources.
- If you decide to join our Meat C.S.A. you will be enjoying heritage meats that are not commercially bred for production. These animals are slow growers and many of them are on the Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste list.
Red
Wattle Hog
Plymouth
Rock Chicken
Buckeye
Chicken (Coming Soon)
Please
check out our C.S.A. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for some of
the most commonly asked questions regarding Community Supported
Agriculture. They may be some of the same questions you may have.