Our “Garden Gate” CSA Program
ALL CSA SHARES FOR 2012 ARE RESERVED. THANK YOU.
This year we’re introducing a new concept for our CSA farmer and family partnership: Families will have the opportunity to choose their vegetables and greens in a CSA that combines the idea of a farm market with the share box!
This is a “Bins and Baskets” approach to sharing the harvest straight from the garden gate.
You get your produce directly as it is field-sorted. As a member, you can fill your bins, boxes, baskets and bags yourself! The vegetables you pick will be fresh as the morning, right out of the ground, or minimally farm-washed. They will include all sizes – just as nature intended.
This is how the program works:
During the bountiful harvest season, Karbaumer Farm will hold CSA market days every Thursday. As the days grow shorter and the harvest becomes less plentiful, the market may not be held weekly. We’ll always let you know.
On CSA market days, members will be able to choose the harvested produce you want to take home. Quantities may be limited but you never have to take produce home that you know you won’t enjoy. The value of the produce you select is deducted from your share value and when that is depleted, you may purchase more of the harvest in $50 share increments, if you choose.
This CSA program model is not for everyone, but if you enjoy experiencing the changing seasons and the challenges of nature, you’ll be able to enjoy the successes of the harvest with this new program as well.
Finally, no farm work is required if you are a member of our CSA but, if you want to spend a few hours on the farm as a volunteer, you are always welcome! Before the season begins members must assure us they have read our 2012 “Garden Gate CSA” Guide.
To find out more, just read our “FAQ” section below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the advantages of this plan to the share member?
You choose what produce you want to pick up and how much. You will have less waste at home. You will have indicated in our survey what vegetables and greens your family enjoys and we will do our best to grow them for you. It will be like going to a farmers’ market but you will get to know your farmers, how we grow your food, and meet the soil and gardens up close. If you miss a week picking up produce, you have not lost that value; you just pick up more on your next visits.
What are the advantages for the farmers?
We will be doing much less packing and weighing—and using a lot less plastic. More of our time will be spent growing and harvesting. Having one share day also allows for more time caring for the farm, our
animals and the gardens. We will be growing what you will enjoy most, sharing in your enthusiasm for good food.
How much does it cost?
One share size for the entire growing season costs $350, sales tax included. If the amount of produce you get for that amount is not enough for you and your family, you have the option to extend your share at $50 increments. There is an administrative fee for the season of $10. A $50 deposit is required with the reservation of your share and full payment due by April 1st. You can propose a payment plan but partial and early payments are encouraged.
How do I reserve a share?
It’s easy! Simply send your application form (see below) with a $50 deposit to reserve a share. Reservations are accepted by postmark.
Can we split a share with someone?
Yes, but we don’t want to be involved with the split. You are responsible for sharing e-mails, dividing up the cost and dividing up the produce. Whoever you split your share with just tells us whose share their pick up is to be “charged” to.
Coming up with $350 all at once is difficult for our family. Is there a payment plan?
To reserve your share for the season, you must make a deposit of $50 before all the slots are filled. After that, you can make payments, as long as the remaining balance of $300 is paid by April 1st. The deposit is applied to your share amount. You can make your own payment plan.
How do we keep track of how much of our share value we’ve picked up?
We’re working on a system to tally the amount of share you take home each time you come out. You would have a copy and so would the farmer.
What if we can’t come out on Thursdays?
We chose this day because it is close to the weekend when families have more time to cook and yet not part of the weekend when many families are on vacation. We’re extending the pick up hours to accommodate mid-day pick ups and those who work late on Thursdays. You may be able to arrange to come later than the planned pick up time but you cannot come earlier and you cannot come on a different day.
What if we’re the last family to come for our produce on share day?
It doesn’t matter. We will divide the harvest and post limits so each member will have access to the same amount of produce. There may be a sign that says, “Potatoes, limit 5 pounds.” A member may take between 1 and 5 pounds of potatoes, or none at all. There will still be 5 pounds for each of the others who come later. Quality and sizes will be mixed up in bins or boxes you choose to empty in your bag. So the last arriving member will be getting the same quality and sizes as the first arriving member.
What if we’re on vacation and cannot come to the farm on share day?
No problem. Just pick up a little more produce the next time you come out. You do not lose part of your share as in other CSA plans.
What if we don’t pick up the total value of our share during the season? Is it forfeited?
Yes, it is. You will have a minimum of 24 weeks to come to the farm and get vegetables and greens available to you that were listed at the beginning of the season. The season will continue as long as there is produce to harvest.
What if we don’t like something, like mustard greens or lots of radishes?
You only take home what and how much you want to eat in a week, unlike other CSA programs. There will be other choices. That’s why the farmers’ survey at the beginning of the season is important; it communicates to the farmer what produce your family will like.
What if we use up our share value before the end of the season?
You will be able to purchase more share value in $50 or $100 increments so you can continue to get
produce as long as we are harvesting. This is not required.
Why is there only one share size?
The availability of only one share size is for simplicity in recordkeeping for the farmers. Former full share families may decide they want to buy more share value during the season. Former half share families may think this is too much produce. This
plan is for persons who want to eat more fresh, local, organically-grown produce in season. Do you want to spend around $14 or $15 a week of your grocery bill on vegetables? We will try to grow what you want to eat.
Do we bring bags and boxes?
Bring bags and boxes to take your produce home. We will supply the plastic bags you will fill from the bins of lettuces and other greens. Vegetables will be in boxes or baskets that you will empty into your own bags. If you don’t want your potatoes touching your bok choy, bring enough bags to separate them.
This seems to be a unique approach to the traditional CSA.
We are learning there are a few other CSA programs that combine choice with the share box. We designed this plan to create the advantages described above. We are open to suggestions for making it more efficient and adaptive for all of us. It is our hope that you will find it is indeed a great fit for your family’s produce needs.
To Apply
Complete Reservation Form; copy and return both the Reservation and the Survey.
“Bring Your Table Closer to the Farm”