CSA 2009 Member Drive

We are beginning our CSA 2009 Member Drive.This part is so much fun! Seed catalogs are coming in the mail. Choosing which varieties grew well and which did not, what greens we want to add to our selection, maybe a new squash to try; just so much fun.

There are always things learned from one year to the next that help us to improve what we do. Last year was interesting. We farmed on different land. It had sunshine all day and watering was determined by the Powers That Be. The quality of the soil was knew to us also, texture as well as fertility. We learned that people like Kohlrabi as much as we do, keeping the row cover on the peppers longer means earlier peppers, planting winter squash in the greenhouse in May, means more squash ripe on time and we should plant peas every two weeks for like, 6 weeks.

Keeping track of what everyone receives will begin with a carbon copy receipt book. This will afford the opportunity to have a customized season’s end paper to give each of our members with the season’s actual offerings and what they receive. Of course, there are more things learned than there is room here to write.

2009 will have all the produce we had last year with a few changes: more peas, more kohlrabi, more winter squash, more carrots, more greens. We also will have available fruit at a discount for our Members: strawberries, blueberries, and a possibility of apples and pears as well.

We have increased the share cost as the cost of production has increased, from seeds to hoses to soil for seedlings to labor. We tried to keep this increase affordable.

Last year a share worked out to be $12/wk for 20 weeks, which equaled $240. This year it is $15/wk. for 20 weeks for a total of $300. We decided to begin the Member Drive now to ensure the time that may be necessary. The pocket is tight for many and being able to budget for food in a way that is economically efficient as well as affordable is very important. We created a structure for payment that we hope will meet the needs of our future Members and provide the capital for 2009’s growing season.

$50 down by December 15th is the deposit to hold a place. Then 3 payments of $83.30/ea. due the 15th of January, February and March will complete the $300 Share. Done! The CSA Pick ups begin Sunday, June 7th and continue for 20 weeks. Before last year’s season began, we estimated that our Members would receive an average of approximately 7-10 lbs of produce a week. Far exceeding that estimate, last season’s shares averaged 14 lbs/ wk. Those are the numbers we are using for 2009’s Shares. $15/ wk. purchases an average of 10 -14 lbs. of produce a week over the course of the season. Like last June, this will begin with about 3-5 lbs. the first few weeks, increasing until about 20 - 24 lbs. by September and into October.

The Weekly Order Form via e-mail will be used again so Members will still be able to choose what to receive each week. We designed the CSA to fix a few issues that we, ourselves, identified in other CSA's that would have prevented us from joining if we wanted to. One of those issues is choice. I wouldn't want to pay for food that I don't eat. I absolutely abhor brussel sprouts as does my family. The smell of them cooking is just too potent for me. Why should I have to pay for brussel sprouts and receive brussel sprouts in my share if my family won't use them? I incorporated the Shopping List that worked so well last year. You can pretty much tell what's coming off in the garden a few days ahead to be able to allow the Members the choice. The Shopping List most often would be sent out on Sunday evenings in the e-mail, sometimes I was so tired it would wait till Monday morning(lol). There was listed "Absolutes" and "Possibilities" as well as a decent recipe. It became a wonderful communication devise. This year, I am including different ways to preserve foods in abundance ie: freezing, canning etc.

34% of the Town Of Washington is on Foodstamps now. We are going to work to see how we can accept them at our farmstand. We are also going door to door with our farm brochures. I hope to increase the amount of people from my own town in our Membership and customer base. Local is part of the objective of sustainable. The less I have to travel to sell my produce, the less I need to charge, for my costs are lowered considerably when I minus travel expenses and time. Our prices are extremely competitive with the Health Food Stores as well as the typical grocery stores. We believe that no matter how organic your practices are, if the produce is not affordable than it is NOT sustainable. The Health Food Stores and the Farmers Markets, in general, have rejected through pricing structures, a huge segment of the population. I am part of that population. And this group is who we are marketing to. Good, clean food must be affordable.