CSAs, or community supported agriculture endeavors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The purpose of the CSA is to provide fresh, locally grown food to the community.

In the more  common model, the farmer sells annual or seasonal subscriptions for a variety of food - meat, vegetables, fruit - whatever their niche is, for a predefined agreed-upon price. They customer agrees to pay so much per week for a number of weeks, and often the entire or a significant portion of the season's subscription is paid up front. This provides the farmer with capital to buy the seeds or plants for the upcoming season.

The customers take the risk with the farmer here. If a flood, drought, heat wave, insect infestation, etc., occurs and there is no produce, the customers are still supporting the farmer through the duration of the subscription. There is a trust relationship with the farmer that builds over time. Locally grown food takes time, capital, ongoing support of the community and a willingness on the part of the farmer to involve community in the farm.

In our model,  members invest in the farm seasonally by means of a pick-your-own  membership fee.  This membership entitles you first access to what we produce. You will be given access to the farm at various scheduled times - some weekend, some evenings, some weekdays to accommodate varioius schedules. The pick-your-own membership fee includes the produce you will receive in the spring, so when you come to pick, you can leave your wallet at home. The membership fee covers it all. Now m having said that, how much can you pick when you come? Well, I would hope you pick enough for your family keeping in mind that other members are coming out to pick also.  This membership is for your family, so you cannot pick for your store or your restaurant, but you can pick for your family. We're going to see this season how this works out. 

The benefit is that you get it first, you get it fresh, you know where it comes from and more importantly, how it was grown.You can talk to the us about what we did, what we used and how it was grown and, you are always welcome to help! So if there's something you see that interests you or you want to know more about - ask!

Spring 2010 will be our second season for members, so we're making a few adjustments, such as the membership fee and what we're offering  based on what took place this spring.

We have just under 2000 plants that will be producing this next spring. We have grown from 40 to almost 700 raspberry plants this year and so far they all look like they're doing well.  

First, there are only a limited number of subscriptions each season. We base this on last year's crop volume and anticipated growth for the coming year. This ensures you a supply of locally grown produce that you have access to pick and enjoy. Any produce  not picked when it ripens by members will be sold locally at market. The amount we have to take to market will determine changes for the following year's subscription numbers. We will be limiting our memberships based on this past spring  and each season is a learning experience for you as well as us; we want to ensure that everyone is satisfied and sent home happy! We can always  increase the membership as our production increases and we will start a waiting list if needed.

We will be offering on farm workshops in irrigation,  planting, growing  based on interest and demand. Existing members will have first access to those classes before new members. In addition, members will be invited this year to the installation of the rain water harvesting system being put in this fall which I am hoping to schedule for a Saturday.

You can purchase a membership  online via PayPal on the Purchase membership tab, or you can send in a check by mail. Please note that your membership is not secured until payment is received.
 
Members are assigned on a first-come basis.  

2010 Produce Season   Spring Asparagus -> Fall Raspberries                 CLOSED for 2010  
    You will have access to he farm March - October
    at predetermined times for picking. This includes spring asparagus, berries,
    tree fruit, crops (garlic, onions, tomatoes,  squash and whatever else I can grow). 
    Keep in mind I can't control what those dates are, Mother Nature does.
   
    
2011 Waiting list Member                                                                                             $25.00
    Limited to 25 members.  As a waiting list member you will receive periodic
    email updates on the farm, the opportunity to upgrade to full membership if we have    
    excess produce and first sign up for 2011 before new first time members.
    
    There will also be a luncheon and tour offered summer 2010 for a  nominal
    fee for you to visit the farm, hopefully taste the berries and see if you are interested
    in membership 2011.