CSA Details

CONTENTS: Just click on any of the topics listed directly below and go straight to that information

    Only Organic

    Heirloom Varieties

    How Big Is Share?

    What Vegetables Can I Expect To Receive?

    Weekly Newsletter

    Why Participate?

    Where Do I Pick Up My Share?

    How Much Does It Cost?

    How Can I Find Out More?

Only Organic:  A few years ago, the Federal Government stepped in to regulate who can use the term "organic" and how it is defined.  Quite honestly, many of us are trying to figure out the implications of the new standards that have been established.  As a member of our CSA, you can be assured that almost all of the produce we grow is organic from the start.  We start most of our vegetables from organic seed in our Hoop House, using organic mixes and compost as a medium to start the seeds in.  Unfortunately, not all varieties of vegetables are available as organic seed, but we strive to find organic seed and once the plant is started in our hoop house, it is grown organically, using no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.  Potatoes and other plants that we do not grow from seed are acquired from organic sources.  Growing organically can vary greatly from farm to farm.  To learn what  we mean by "organic" go to our page Organic Defined.

Heirloom Varieties
Many of the varieties that we grow happen to be what are known as heirloom varieties.  Heirloom  varieties are not hybrids, and their seed can be saved from year to year to produce the same plant each time.  Hybrid seeds are special crosses developed for certain traits and cannot reproduce themselves exactly.  We grow heirloom vegetables for their excellent  flavor.  The hybrids have been developed to capitalize on certain traits such as resistance to certain diseases, fruit uniformity, or longer storage capabilities.  Unfortunately, with this selection, some sacrifices in flavor are often made.  Because we don't have to worry about many of the problems that hybrids address, we can use the better flavored heirlooms instead.  We are not exaggerating when we say that you can really taste the difference.  Some of our members will comment that they have not tasted a tomato like ours since they were kids in their Grandparent's garden.

How Big Is a Share?
Potential members of our CSA always ask the important and obvious question, "How big is a share?".  This is a very difficult question to answer for the quantity of produce distributed will vary as the season progresses.  The initial boxes of the season typically contain less, since this is the start of the harvest and few things have reached picking size, but at the close of the season the boxes are filled to the brim.  In September and October the boxes are so full that we have difficulty getting them closed.  Another consideration is that people consume vegetables in varying quantities depending on their own personal tastes and life style.  Conservatively, a share will feed two non-vegetarians or one vegetarian for a week.  Once the season is underway in July, members can expect the equivalent of one paper grocery bag or more of produce.  At season's end, it may be closer to 2 paper sacks.  Distributions begin in late May and continue until the end of October.

What Vegetables Can I Expect To Receive?
For around $20 per week you will receive a box of delicious vegetables weekly.  Except for the stored crops such as garlic, onions, potatoes, and winter squashes, which we pick and store for distribution throughout the summer and fall, all of the vegetables are picked each week for placement in your box.  Members can expect 7 to 10 different kinds of produce each week except at the very beginning of the season.  The chart below shows most of the vegetables we grow with their expected dates of availability.  Of course, the actual dates and amounts will vary with the weather.  Each "X" denotes a possible week's distribution.  This doesn't mean that you will receive that vegetable each week, only that it is in season during that time.  Therefore, if the month of July has an "X" 4 times, you can assume that the vegetable is in season for the entire month of July.  Also, certain vegetables may include several varieties.  This is the case with vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, the squashes, and others.

  Weekly Newsletter
Each week we include a newsletter in each box.  The newsletter is the primary means by which we keep  in touch with our members.  Generally it will include important announcements and a listing of the vegetables included in that week's box, as well as what to expect in the next distribution.  We also talk a bit about what has been happening at the farm and what is anticipated for the coming week.  If a less commonly used vegetable is included or anticipated soon, the newsletter will contain general information about it, including cleaning, storing and cooking tips.  We also provide a weekly recipe.  Many of these recipes focus on that week's produce and have been submitted by our members.  You can view some of these recipes in the section of this website titled "recipes".


Why Participate In This CSA?

• By joining our CSA, you can be confident of receiving the freshest, most nutritious, organic produce possible. 
• You can be certain that your vegetables are grown without toxic chemical herbicides and pesticides.  
• You will receive varieties of vegetables through the season that are chosen for their excellent flavor and nutrition, instead of for their ease of harvest and shipping.
• You will be supporting a local farm that is operated in harmony with the environment.
• You can conveniently do a week's worth of vegetable shopping simply by picking up your share in one convenient stop.

Where Do I Pick Up My Share?
In 2007, we had 12 pick up sites in the Springfield / Miami Valley area.  Obviously one of these is our farm in Springfield. The others are in Yellow Springs, 2 in Dayton, Clayton (north Dayton), Bellbrook, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, Lebanon, Tipp City, and Urbana.  You can view maps to all of these pickup locations by visiting our Maps Page.   Pickups will all occur on Fridays.  Pickup times will vary from location to location and will be determined a bit later in the spring, but you can expect them to vary from late morning at some of our first drop offs to later in the afternoon at others.  If we have enough interest to develop a new site, we may do so, and members are welcome to change their pickups, if this is convenient to them, at any time during the season, provided we have one week's notice, and the pickup change is relatively permanent.  We are unable accommodate customers who would like to change pickup locations frequently due to the risk for errors.

  How Much Will It Cost?
The cost of a share for 2008 will be $440.00.  There is a $20 discount if you pay in full by May 1st. For an additional $10, you may also purchase a share using the following payment plan: $150.00 at the time of application as a deposit, $100.00 by June 15th, a third payment of $100.00 by August 1st, and a final payment of $100.00 by September 15th. We also accept Master Card and Visa credit cards, but we cannot use these for the payment program. Just visit our secure application page to sign up, but please remember to follow up your emailed application with a check or provide your credit card information to guarantee your share (no credit cards for the payment plan)! Remember we require a deposit to hold your share for you, and we operate on a first come, first serve basis. The increased awareness of CSAs and the value of buying locally is making CSA space limited.

  How Can I Find Out More?
Please feel free to contact us by phone, U.S. Postal Service, or e-mail.  We would be very happy to answer any questions you might have, or even refer you to some of our members.  Just click below for our contact information.

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