What is a CSA?

“CSA” stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A “member” in the community buys a “share” of a farmer’s harvest, providing financial support at the beginning of the growing season, then returning to the farm each week as the vegetables are harvested to pick up their “Share.”

What Can I Expect In My Share?

At each pick up, from early June to mid-October, you’ll get a selection of healthy, organically grown, in-season produce. During the first few weeks of the share we will be harvesting mostly greens for the share, as our growing options are limited by the cool-season conditions. Many vegetables take most of the summer season to mature, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, summer squash and potatoes, among many others.

How Does Pickup Work?

Shareholders may pick up their shares individually or coordinate with another shareholder to pick up and deliver their share. Shareholders that are unable to pick up their share may send a friend, family member, or neighbor to pick up their share for them.

Does Being a Shareholder Come With Any Risks?

A CSA is both an investment and a risk for the farmer and the family who joins. Together we are sharing in the risks and rewards of farming. We have to understand that we are growing in New England, with unpredictable weather, and against insects, fungi and bacteria, using only natural growing methods for fertility – methods that meet or exceed the federal government’s organic standards. By choosing this approach we understand that it inherently decreases our potential yield and chance for success. We take this approach because we believe the potential risks associated with chemicals, fungicides and commercial fertilizers outweigh the benefits.

Why Might I Wish to Become a Shareholder?

You may crave a quality and variety of produce that is simply not available at the supermarket. Experiencing this difference can be truly enlightening! You may wish to start a healthy habit of eating food that is natural and clean, and gives you a sense of well-being. We’ve found that simply taking the time out to visit the farm to pick up your share can be a welcome stress reliever, too! The act of supporting local farms may be important to you and certainly is important to our community’s rural character. For some it’s also about reducing the amount of miles your food travels, and the amount of fossil fuels that are used in its transport.

Why Might I Decide Against Becoming a Shareholder?

If you prefer to have access to every type of vegetable, each and every week, a CSA might not be right for you. Eating seasonally means that you eat the crops that are at the peak of ripeness at that point in the season. Early in the year, that could mean most of the ingredients for a salad, but not summer vegetables or fall vegetables. We grow seasonally as nature intended it. If you want tomatoes or vegetables that are so perfect that they look like they were raised in a laboratory, our CSA might not be right for you. Our veggies are healthy and natural, but not always cosmetically perfect.

Please be sure you fully understand what a CSA Farm Share is truly about before you join. We have been very lucky to have shareholders through the years who have been happy and positive, with can-do personalities that can weather the ups and downs of an agricultural investment. It’s our hope that our farm continues to foster a warm and uplifting experience for all of this year’s shareholders, and for us, too!

Thank you!

Elise & Tucker Smith

FULL SHARE | $650

Full shares are designed for 3-4 people, and cost $650 for 20 weeks of food. The volume of produce in the share each week is valued at approximately $37 (based on pricing found at local farmers markets). We factor in a 15% discount for members, making the final cost come to $32.50/week per share.

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HALF SHARE | $350

Half shares are designed for 1-2 people, and cost $350 for 10 weeks of food, picked up every other week during the regular CSA season. The volume of produce in the share every other week is the same as in a full share.

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WHAT WE GROW

All of our vegetable starts are grown from seed in our greenhouses, using organic practices and beneficial insects for pest control, ensuring no harmful residue will be on your food. We grow over 40 different types of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Following is a partial list of what we’ll be offering this season:

Arugula

Basil

Beans

Beets

Broccoli

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cherry Tomatoes

Cilantro

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

PICKUP TIMES & LOCATIONS

The share runs from June 9th through October 20th, 2021. All pick ups will be on Wednesdays between 3pm and 6pm.

Pick up Location:

Cedar Rock Gardens
99 Concord Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

PICK UP ON WEDNESDAY BETWEEN 3pm-6pm
*Includes Pick-Your-Own

Children and friends are always welcome, but please do not bring dogs onto the farm.