Community Supported Agriculture

2013 CSA Program

Shares still available!

New location for 2013
261 Old Mount Tom Road
Bantam, CT 06750

Farmers Mark and Joanie are excited to announce the 2013 CSA. A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a program where we offer customers fresh-picked USDA certified organic produce by purchasing a share of the season’s harvest in advance. By participating in a CSA, customers become dedicated to sustaining the farm by supplying capital for start-up expenses, (farm labor, seeds, potting soil, utilities, greenhouse supplies, stakes, etc.) that need to be paid before the first crop is harvested. This year a share entitles our members to fresh produce, and vegetable, flower and herb plants. Members will be able to choose what’s in their share anytime the farm store (at our new location - days to be announced) is open from May-October and at the Litchfield Farmers’ Market (Saturdays 10-1)and the Collinsville Farmers’ Market (Sundays 10-1) from June-October. We strive for a wide variety of USDA certified organic produce throughout the season. A major benefit to this program is its flexibility. You select what you want when you want it!

We offer three different share levels to help you decide the share best suited to your needs.:

• With a payment of $340 you’ll receive a farm store voucher share for $400
  (15% discount–a savings of $60)

•With a payment of $630 you’ll receive a farm store voucher share for $740
  (15% discount–a savings of $110)

•A work share entails an obligation of 48 or 90 hours of farm work during the season. These shares are extremely limited and selected at the discretion of the farmers. Work share choices include field work (weeding, planting, harvesting); greenhouse work (preparing seed trays, seeding, watering); washing and bunching produce; farm store (cashier & restocking); helping at farmers’ markets. A work share is equivalent to $400(for 48 hours of work) or $740 (for 90 hours of work). Work shares are mostly needed in the Spring and late Summer-Fall.

Produce and items that you may choose to include in your shares:

Early Season - Vegetable, flower and herb plants; asparagus, lettuce, radishes, scallions, Napa cabbage, kale, bok choy, swiss chard, spinach, kohlrabi, garlic scapes, peas, salad mix, arugula, rhubarb, collards.

Mid Season - Lettuce, scallions, radishes, zucchini, yellow squash, cukes, green beans, fennel, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, watermelon, garlic, onions, shallots, salad mix, arugula, artichokes, beets, swiss chard, golden & red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, carrots.

Late Season - Lettuce, scallions, radishes, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, celeriac, carrots, beets, leeks, cabbage, winter squash, kale, brussel sprouts, turnips, parsnips, sunchokes, salad mix, arugula, husk cherries, red & golden raspberries, collards.

How does it work?

Come to the farm when the farm store is open from May through October or the weekend Farmers’ Markets. Select the products that you want. Tell the cashier you are a CSA member. The cashier will total your purchase and deduct it from your share balance. Any share balances remaining at the end of the season will be donated in produce to local Food Banks (see policy below*).

How do I sign up?

All 2012 CSA members will be given first priority for the 2013 sign up. To enroll click here to download and print the 2013 Harvest Agreement Form or Work Share Form, fill it out and send it in with your payment immediately as we sold out for 2012 quickly. No phone calls please – we offer our shares on a first come first served basis.

Like the Farmers, by participating in the CSA, customers not only reap the rewards but share the risks in agriculture. However, because of the large quantity of different crops we grow, what will be a difficult year for one item will be an exceptional year for another item. We also do multiple plantings of many crops. Please be aware before committing to the program that we do not refund shares due to any force major events, such as but not limited to weather damage or Mother Nature’s whims.

We are optimistic that this endeavor again will benefit both the customers and the farm and we look forward to sharing a wonderful season with you.

~ Farmers Mark & Joanie

*CSA POLICY FOR UNSPENT SHARE BALANCES AT THE END OF THE SEASON: Unspent share balances at the end of the season are donated in produce to local Food Banks. Each week CSA members are notified by e-mail detailing crops being harvested and available that week. The farmers go to great lengths to offer fresh produce in the farm store and at the Farmers’ Markets throughout the season and put any remaining produce on sale for two days each November.