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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ProgramFlower Shares and Egg Shares are sold out for 2013
Hello and thanks for looking into Allandale Farm’s CSA. We are now accepting members for the 2013 CSA season. If you are ready to join (or rejoin), please download a sign-up form [PDF] and agreement form [PDF] and return the two completed forms along with a check to us via mail or drop them off at the farm. Looking for more information? Please read on. Feel free to email us with any questions at csa@allandalefarm.com. 2012 CSA NewslettersCheck out a sample of last year's newsletters for a taste of our CSA season.
What is Community Supported Agriculture?CSA is a model that has been implemented by many small farms as a mutually beneficial partnership between the business and the consumer. The consumer purchases a share of the coming season's harvest. Typically, the share is paid for well in advance of the season. Consumers receive a good value for fresh, local vegetables and an enhanced relationship with their local farm. The farm receives income in the winter months when the seed, plant and supply bills are piling up and other farm income is minimal or non-existent. CSA also provides the farm an important avenue to supply product directly to the people eating it. What is a share?Vegetable CSA: One share of our CSA is one bushel of Allandale Farm grown produce per week. Half-shares, which are a half bushel in size, are also available. The cost is $670 for a full share and $390 for a half share. The 2013 CSA season will run for 20 weeks beginning early June. Shares are picked-up at the farm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 12 pm and 6:30 pm. In your box, you will find a full representation of the crops we are harvesting in season that week. See the crop list below for examples of what you might see in an Allandale Farm share. Egg CSA: One dozen eggs for 20 weeks. These eggs come from our pastured hens. Pick-up days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays beginning early June. The cost for our egg CSA is $120. Flower CSA: One bouquet a week for 8 weeks. The bouquets are made with our own fresh-cut flowers. You can expect a colorful mixed bouquet of flowers each week. Wednesday pick-up only beginning in July. The cost of our flower CSA is $110. What are your growing practices?We use organic growing methods, following the National Organic Program, the vast majority of the time. We follow best practices as we are dedicated to protecting the health of our employees, customers, the children involved in our Outdoor Summer Program and the land that we farm. At Allandale Farm, we choose not to pursue federal certification. While most of the pest and disease control we use is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute, at times we may opt to use controls that are similar but not certified. Often these are products that have previously been certified or are produced on equipment shared with conventional controls. We rotate our crops, ammend our fields with organic fertilizer and our own compost, and do not use herbicides or conventional fungicide. We are committed to building trust with our customers and are happy to share detailed growing and handling practices of the food that you can buy here. Feel free to email us with any questions. Are there any other benefits to being a CSA member?Yes. Our cashiers will have your name on file so that you can receive 10% off all in-store purchases on your weekly pick-up day. You will also receive a weekly CSA newsletter with crop and farm information, recipes and more. Join our email list to receive notification of CSA and other farm news. Sample Crop List
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