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Community Supported or Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a system of small scale market garden farming that connects farmers and their community closely. Members purchase a "share" of the farm's produce prior to the harvest season thus supporting the farmer at the time when seeds and other inputs are being purchased. Once the crops are ready, members receive a weekly share of the harvest. This model involves a shared risk for members and farmers, a hail storm or severe drought will impact yields. But, it also includes rewards, a bumper crop of strawberries will result in extra berries in the weekly box! CSA deliveries typically include some added bonuses, such as recipes or special items sourced from other local farms, and at Coyote Song CSA members will receive a discount on glamping stays! People who chose to be involved in a CSA are usually highly committed to supporting a local small scale producer, who are keen to get to know the people who are growing their food and to learn more about where their food is coming from.
Our CSA membership will cover an 18 week season beginning mid June and running through mid October. Shares will vary as the season progresses. Typically early summer harvest is heavier on greens and as the season progresses variety increases as a more diverse selection of crops become ripe. Our shares will be sized to provide a family of 4 plenty of fresh vegetables for their week and will include an arrangement of flowers. If a member is away and unable to take delivery on a particular week they will have the opportunity to redirect their share to a friend that week or can choose to donate it to an organization supporting people experiencing food insecurity. We will adjust our delivery plans accordingly.
There are many variations possible under the CSA model and in future we look forward to expanding this part of our program. Liz's first experience working on a vegetable farm was many years ago when she had a "work share" on a CSA farm. Work shares provide opportunities for people who many not have the available resources to purchase a share to invest their labour in the farm in exchange for produce. We will be assessing the possibility of offering this opportunity in years to come. We also will consider offering different sized shares and having early and late season shares available in future years. For the present, however, we will be starting out small and simple in order to insure that we can provide the best quality experience for our members and can continue to offer weekly boxes and stock our farm stand as well.
CSA share details and the membership agreement are being finalized now. Email coyotesongfarmforest@gmail.com for more information and to be placed on a waiting list for a share.
Edited to add: Now available - email for info. Spots are filling up fast!
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