FREEDOM, MAINE
Photo by Lily Piel
Community Supported Agriculture is a philosophy and a marketing form that connects consumers with local farms in a mutually beneficial relationship.
We, the farmers, commit to grow a full range of vegetables, herbs and flowers for our members. We benefit by knowing that our produce has a ready market and we receive income early in the season, when most farm expenses are incurred. The CSA model allows us to stay on the farm rather than attending farmer's markets. Everything we pick has already been sold.
There is a component of shared risk in CSA. 2009 brought record rainfall and though some crops underperformed due to the cold, wet season, other crops thrived. We delivered a good value to our CSA members despite the "disastrous" weather. Our experience tells us that planting a diversity of crops and tending them and the soil well will "weather the weather whatever the weather."
Our farm is open to members at anytime. Bring visiting family out for a walk through the fields and woods. See your vegetables in their growing places!
"We've
loved being a part of the Village Farm experience. Your vegetables
were superb ... couldn't have asked for more! Thank you for
introducing us to new veggies that wouldn't have otherwise tried.
Both of you, as well as your crew, exude warmth and friendliness --
it's been an absolute joy this season!"
Nancy,
Keith and Owen Falvey, Summer CSA 2011 members, Belfast
Become a Member!
2012 is our 5th year growing for our CSA members! CSA remains the heart of our operation and we hope to have a 20th and 30th year someday!
We offer a Summer Vegetable Share from June 19 to October 9 (17 weeks) for $360 which feeds 2 vegetable lovers or a family with a varied diet. If you purchase a second share for your household, you get $50 off the second share.
We offer a Fall Vegetable Share from October 16 to December (8 distributions) for $200.
We offer a Summer Egg Share (1 dozen each week for 17 weeks) for $76.50 and a Fall Egg Share (1 dozen each week for 8 weeks) for $36
New in 2012! Cheese Share and a Yogurt Share. Our friends at Elderflower Farm of Lincolnville will supply weekly dairy products to be picked up at either of our distribution sites. See the FAQs below for more info.
We attempt to make our produce accessible to all. We have a Community Fund to assist members needing a reduced cost share and we accept SNAP funds. Members contribute and take from the Community Fund as they are able.
Weekly pick-ups
Click here to sign up for 2012 CSA offerings.
What is a CSA share? A vegetable CSA share is a "share" of the Village Farm harvest. We farmers choose a diverse variety of between 6-10 vegetables each week to distribute to our members, also called "shareholders." We now offer a Late Fall Share in addition to the traditional Summer Share . Both are designed to be enough vegetables for two vegetable loving adults for one week.
Why should I join a CSA? There are lots of good reasons! Members tell us that our CSA helps them eat more vegetables. Our CSA will provide you with the freshest food possible, except perhaps growing your own. Ideally, members feel a connection to their food in a new way. With farm blog postings, in person visits at distributions and seasonal farm gatherings, members can get as much info as they would like about a food, a farm and a growing season in Maine. Supporting a local farm keeps fertile soils growing food rather than houselots. CSA members commit to support one farm but by doing so are committing to their own health, as well.
How much food is in a share? Hmmm. . . Good question. Our members' households vary from one adult vegetable lover to a family with two adults and several children. We have consistently heard from members that both the quantity and variety of vegetables are right on track with their eating habits. Of course, some people eat more of one thing than others but we aim for a basic formula each week with 1-2 vegetables from each of the following groups:
Salad fixings = Mesclun mix, a bag of spinach or a head of lettuce
Cooking greens = a bunch of kale, chard or beet greens or a head of bok choi
Vegetables to eat raw = tomatoes, snap peas, watermelon, cucumbers
Cooking vegetables = green beans, broccoli, potatoes, peppers, brussel sprout
An onion family vegetable = garlic, red onion, yellow onion, leeks or shallots
Something unusual = such as fennel, radicchio or kohlrabi
Herbs = 1-2 bunches of cilantro, basil, dill, sage, parsley
What about value? CSA is a different way of buying vegetables. Members pay for a 'subscription' of vegetables rather than being charged by the each. We accept payment once (or more if you pay in installments) rather than weekly. This obviously saves us a lot of time. In our past four seasons, we have tracked what we have given to members and tallied our CSA value compared to Farmer's Market prices. We have always given our members an excellent value: 10-20% below retail prices for the freshest organic vegetables available.
Can I buy more than one share or split a share with a friend?
Yes and yes. We have several households who buy 2 Summer Shares so that they can freeze vegetables for winter or have plenty of food around for summer guests. And we have several members who share a share with a friend. They work out the split, alternating pick up weeks, splitting the vegetables at the distributions or getting together later and dividing them up.
When do I get my vegetables? Summer Share CSA distributions begin June 19 (we email you a reminder) and continue until October 9. Late Fall Shares begin in October and go until late December. Having chosen a pick up site at sign-up time, you would either go to the UU Church in Belfast or come to the farm each Tuesday evening between 4-6 pm.
How do I get my weekly vegetables? Our Summer CSA distributions look a lot like a farmers' market stand, except there are no lines and no money is exchanged, because members have already committed their support. Members arrive to the site, whether it be the farm, or at the UU Church in Belfast and will be greeted by a farmer or farm intern. We have bags available but members are encouraged to bring their own. All the week's vegetables, ALWAYS cleaned, cooled and just picked, will be displayed on tables with signs as labels and guides as to how many/much each share should take. Members fill their own bags weighing out a few items on a scale provided.
In 2012, we will have "To Go" bags packed for anyone in a hurry.
Why don't you bag all the members' shares? Members see the bounty of the harvest with this distribution method. What is more beautiful than a cedar box overflowing with purple cabbages or glistening beets? We could pack bags for everyone and simply drop them at a site but we choose to side with beauty rather than convenience on this issue. We also get to visit with members with this method. We feel it is an important part of our job to be available for member questions and comments. Both the Farm and Belfast (UU Church) pick up sites will be on Tuesdays between 4-6 p.m.
What if I don't want or can't use everything that I am supposed to take? At both distribution sites, we have an "EXTRAS" box: If you do not want two heads of lettuce, for example, you may take one and put the other in the "EXTRAS" box. The "EXTRAS" box is for giving to or taking from. If you see something in there that you would use, you are welcome to take it! If we have a few extra eggplants or peppers or pounds of beans, we will put things in there, too!
What if I can't pick up my share one week? If you give us 24 hours notice, we can bag and keep your share in the farm's cooler until you can pick it up. Alternatively, you can ask a friend or relative to pick up your share at your regular Tuesday evening time and place and they can enjoy the vegetables for the week.
What are the Cheese and Yogurt Shares? We are collaborating with Elderflower Farm of Lincolnville to offer luscious cheeses and yogurt to our CSA members. The cheese share is still being configured (amount and price TBD) but it will run for both the Summer and Fall seasons. The Yogurt Share will be one quart of whole Jersey milk yogurt in a glass jar per week for 17 weeks ($102 Summer) and 8 weeks ($48 in the Fall).
Do you sell any other products besides vegetables? Yes, in the may and June, we have robust seedlings for sale. We can fill your orders or you can buy them at the Belfast Coop. Eggs from our pastured and organically fed hens are available at CSA pick-ups for additional purchase or through our Egg Shares.We also raise pasture raised chickens and beef cows and accept pre-orders for those products all season.
SHARE EXAMPLES
What you might expect from a weekly vegetable share:
Here is what past members actually received at three different "moments" in the past growing season.
Summer Share one week in June:
1 bunch of beet greens, 1 head of broccoli, 1 head of lettuce, 1 bunch of scallions,
1 bok choi, ½ # of mesclun, 1# of shell peas, garlic scapes, 1 bunch parsley.
Summer Share one week in August:
½ # beans, 2 cucumbers, 1 bunch carrots, 1 head lettuce, 1 bunch swiss chard, 1.5# onions, 2# potatoes, 2# summer squash/zucchini, 1.5# tomato, 1 large canteloupe, 1 bunch cilantro, basil or dill, 1 flower bouquet.
Summer Share one week in late September:
1.5# beets, 2# cabbage, 1 bunch salad turnips, 1 head garlic, 1 bunch kale, 1 head lettuce, 2# onions, 2#potatoes, 5# winter squash, 1 bunch thyme.
Fall share one week in October:
2.5# winter squash, 1/2# salad mix, 2# potatoes, 1# leeks, 1# carrots, 2# beets, 2# broccoli, 1 head lettuce, 1/4# garlic, 1 bunch parsley
Fall Share one week in late November:
4# Winter squash, 4# potatoes, 3/4# spinach, 3# onions, 1/2 # garlic, 3/4# celeriac, 2# carrots
Click here to sign up for 2012 membership.
Need more info? Give us a call at 382-6300 -- we would be happy to answer any questions.