What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Community Supported Agriculture is a model that has benefits for both farmers and consumers. Members purchase a share in the farm at the beginning of the growing season, giving farmers much needed capital when they need it most, as well as assurance that they’ll have a market for their vegetables. In turn, CSA members receive a weekly share of exceptionally fresh and nutritious food throughout the season, grown in a sustainable fashion by a farmer that they know and trust.
What’s in a share?
Our share runs for 20 weeks, from early June through late October. Members pick up their shares on Wednesdays between 4 and 7pm at the farm OR at the North Adams Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. A share is designed to be enough vegetables to feed a family of four, or two vegetarians, and contents will vary throughout the season. Visit our vegetables page for photos and a list of our produce.
In a CSA, members share both the risks and the bounty of farming, meaning members will receive extra amounts of crops that do well, and less of crops that might struggle due to weather, woodchucks, or other adverse circumstances.
How much does it cost?
A share costs $500, which works out to $25 per week. At farmers’ market prices this year, a week’s share has been worth between $40 and $65, so this price represents an excellent value. It also is a big step towards the farm being a financially stable enterprise for us, so that we can keep doing what we love for years to come.
If you are unable to pay the full price of the share, we still want to have you as part of our community and we will find a way to make it work. Our partnership with Hoosac Harvest helps us make sure that we are able to do just that, so please don’t let financial constraints keep you from joining us. Please talk to Michael or Ashley at the farm, or contact Hoosac Harvest directly for more information.
How can I get a share?
Just fill out a CSA sign up form, mail a $50 deposit, and you’re good to go! The remaining $450 is due by April 1st. We will continue to take new members until we reach our limit. At that time, we’ll put names on a waiting list.
One week’s share in June 2010.
