CSA Introduction

About Our Farm
We have owned Bluebird Hills Farm for almost 15 years and have been growing vegetables here since 1994.  We consider ourselves stewards of the land, and raise our produce  in a manner that we feel will best guarantee that the land will improve with each year's use.  We are committed to leaving a small place on earth to future generations, that is more balanced and environmentally sound, than when we were first entrusted with it.

Following these intentions, we choose to farm organically, and use various methods to improve our yields such as crop rotation, compost application, and utilization of cover crops.  We use absolutely no genetically engineered seed, bulbs or tubers, and do not use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.  It has been our observation that with each subsequent year, our yields improve and insect damage decreases.  We attribute many of these changes to the restoration of a more natural balance within the farm's ecosystem.

Up until 1999 we sold our produce from our farm stand and at farmers' markets.  It was frustrating to return from a market, or end a week, with produce wasted because not enough people came to buy.  We had been hearing about the CSA concept for several years at seminars and in articles, and finally decided to give the concept a try.  We are very glad we did!

  The CSA Concept
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and is a means by which folks can help support agriculture within their region, encourage sustainable farming practices, and, of course, enjoy a wide variety of fresh produce with no concerns about pesticides, herbicides, or genetically engineered foods.

As members of this joint effort, the shareholders receive a weekly distribution of our produce from late May or the first week of June, until the end of October.  In many CSAs, the commitment between farmer and consumer may include working a specified amount of time on the farm by assisting with planting, cultivating, harvest, cleaning, or packing.  Our CSA commitment is purely one of financial support for we do not require any member assistance on the farm.

Each week, our members pick up their boxes of produce at one of 11 different sites here in Southwest Ohio.  These locations include our farm in Springfield, and pick up locations in Yellow Springs, Dayton, Clayton, Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Lebanon, Kettering, Centerville, and Tipp City (see our maps page for actual locations).  We are always interested in expanding to other locations in this region, if there is a demand to do so.

We truly enjoy this arrangement for many reasons.  Most important of these is that we get to know who we are growing for.  The last six years have been much more rewarding for this reason.  We feel that we are growing for people, not for market, and though the distinction is subtle, it is very important to us.  It has been very helpful in planning each year's crops to know approximately how much is needed, since we know how many households we need to provide for.  The fact that so much less produce is going into the compost pile, or rotting in the field for lack of market, has made a tremendous difference as well.  A survey distributed at the end of each season is helping us keep on track, supplying our shareholders with what they want and need.  The opportunity to receive this kind of input and feedback is very rewarding.

  Sharing the Ups and Downs
Our farm does its best to supply our shareholders with fresh, organic vegetables throughout the growing season, but farming is very weather dependent.  One of the basic ideas of a CSA is that the members share the risk of a poor season due to bad weather.  To guard against dry weather, we have installed an irrigation system, eliminating most of the weather risk.  Shareholders should not worry about a poor season, because our experience has shown that no matter what the conditions, the  majority of our crops do well, with only one or two experiencing difficulties.  Each season seems to present its own challenges that we learn from, but the surveys that we ask our members to complete and return to us, have shown that everyone was very satisfied.  We see no reason why 2007 won't be even better as we continue to improve each year.

Our plan is to continue to grow in size over the years, and start to involve our children more as they get old enough to help.  We have left our previous careers to pursue farming and the lifestyle it can provide a family.  The wonder of God's world is before us daily in the miracle of a sprouting seed, the birth of an alpaca, or the beauty of the wildlife that share their home with us.  We are happy to share a bit of that miracle with our CSA members.