How does it work?

Sound like it might be too much produce for your family? Find a friend and split a share. You will be responsible for dividing your weekly box. Or, leave the dividing to us: we will donate half of your share to a low-income family that will be very excited to receive the vegetables and make good use of them. Recipients of the donated shares last year greatly enjoyed the nutritious addition to their diet. We're also willing to match you with someone else looking to split a share--you would still be responsible for doing the splitting with the other family, but if you can't find someone you know to split, it's another possibility.

Shares for 2008 cost $460 for 17 weeks, just $27 per week for a large amount of vegetables. Costs for 2009 will be similar.

What's in your box?

Past subscribers have appreciated being able to try new vegetables and being challenged to use more fresh produce in their diet. We grow lots of tomatoes, of course, but have you ever had kohlrabi or kale?

Your share will average 9-12 pounds per week, varying with the season. All of the vegetables are picked fresh, right before you pick up your box. They are also locally grown just on the edge of Lincoln. A share is about right for a family of four, depending on how many vegetables you eat.

In addition to your vegetables, you will receive a weekly newsletter with information on how to cook and care for your vegetables, recipes, and farm updates. This educational resource will help you to understand what is involved in growing fresh food in our area, and keep you updated on our project and upcoming workshops and events.

Read a great article in the Christian Science Monitor on CSAs

The Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition has put out a great cookbook called From Asparagus to Zucchini that has lots of great recipes and is designed for CSA members. Copies are available at the CROPS office or at our market stands.

How is it grown?

All of our produce is grown using organic methods, such as cover crops, row covers, composting and simply keeping a watchful eye on everything. Part of becoming a CSA member means that you are taking on some of the risk of growing with us. We can't guarantee the availability of a particular item because sometimes nature gets the best of us. We do our best to plan ahead, and grow extra of some things just in case.

We'll schedule a farm tour during the season for our shareholders, so you can come out and see where we are growing your food and how we do it.

We also try to use as much recycled packaging as possible and run every aspect of the CSA in the most environmentally friendly manner.

What's your part?

As a subscriber of a Community Supported Agriculture farm, you can help support local small farms, boost the local economy, as well as provide your family with healthful, fresh produce. This requires a commitment on your part to be more flexible and adventurous with your cooking and eating habits. It's not like a grocery store where you can pick and choose, although you may be able to trade with other members. We provide plenty of the standard vegetables, and then add in some new ones for you to try, complete with recipes and cooking suggestions.

Shareholders not only share the bounty from the farm--they also share the risks. If there is a crop failure (such as from disease or major freeze), the shareholders agree to take the loss with the farmer, so some crops may not be available every year.