Farm shares?

[java]

Have you ever done a farm share? One of the local farms is doing one for the first time this year. It will run from July to November(*until they run out of produce I suppose)
They are offering half shares for $315. I am not sure if this will be a good deal or not. We have a backyard garden so I get a ton of tomatoes myself- but lettuce would be nice, I am not sure what the variety will be. I'm going to have to get more info from them

But have you ever done a Farm Share?

 

[Karenj2]

I've heard it called CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and although I've never done it myself, I know a lot of people that do, and love it. You should probably check to see what types of foods they'll be offering, because it's often WAY more than just lettuce. Here's what our local CSA is offering:

Spring Harvest – Lettuce, peas, baby greens, kale, beets, chard, carrots, spring onions, collards, boc choi, radishes, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, dandelion, cabbage
Summer Harvest – Lettuce, onions, corn, melons, tomatoes, basil, garlic, eggplant, cucumbers, summer squash (zucchini), potatoes, shallots, kale, chard, peppers, parsley, beans
Fall Harvest – Lettuce, peppers, beets, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, chard, spinach, winter squash, onions, leeks, sweet potatoes, baby greens, brussel sprouts

The price you quoted isn't that unreasonable - I just checked the 1/2 share prices at our local CSA and it's $350 (full is over $700). If you think about how many veggies you could be getting, and what it would cost in the supermarket, it's probably a better deal (just shocking, since it's in one lump sum).

 

[jasmineflower]

I have never heard of a Farm Share, is it similar to the Time Share concept but with farm land instead? That sounds like it could be fun, if you decide to go for it I would love to hear about your experience. Is there anyone out there that has done it that can offer us some insider views?

 

[caitlinsmom]

The way ours works is that we go to the farm once a week and pick up our allotted share. The beggies and fruit vary week by week.

Some farm shares require you to work a certain number of hours for the farm, ours does not.

 

[pink5683]

That's a fairly average price for a half share through most of my local CSA's, although most of ours start in late May or early June.

I would love to grow veggies myself, but I do't have very much luck with them, so a CSA is a good fit for me. We get a ton of veggies once a week. After the initial investment, our grocery bills shrink to almost nothing for the summer, and most of the farms around us grow heirloom varieties or unusual vegetables that I wouldn't normally buy at the store. I discovered so many new foods just in our first year. It was a great eye opener!

 

[bpesch]

I'm doing a CSA for the first time this year. Ours starts in April and we're guaranteed 8 weeks of produce. Each box is 14-20 lbs and we meet at a pre-arranged place each Saturday for pick-up. A share is $200. I'm on the MS Gulf Coast which accounts for it starting so early. I have no idea what I'll get but the list is corn, potatoes, greens, onions, butterbeans, pinkeye purple hulled peas, zipper cream peas, red kidney beans, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, zucchini squash, yellow squash, patty pan squash, eggplant, snap beans, bell pepper, banana pepper, jalapeno pepper, cayenne pepper and peanuts. There are no guarantees for any particular crop, it depends on how well the growing season goes. I'm looking forward to my boxes.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I did a local CSA all last year. Was it worth it? I'm just not sure. Ours was $300ish for a full share for each season. There was a spring, summer and fall season. I loved supporting a local farmer and I loved having fresh veggies. However, there were some things about it I did not like and would not have done it this year even if it had been an option.

My biggest issue was the veggies we received. I was very open to trying new veggies and to eating what was in season since that really was the main purpose of the CSA. However, mostly what we received it seems are things that grow the best/easiest and are fairly inexpensive. Greens, greens, greens. We were so overrun with greens and no matter how I cooked them, they were not something we could learn to love. I have since tried them at a restaurant and they were actually very good so it was obvious I just could not figure out how to cook them properly. We received collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli greens, swiss chard, etc. The mustard and collard greens were HUGE. They seriously took up so much room in the fridge it was crazy. We obviously received other veggies but we what I remember most was the greens because they were pretty constant and I started just giving them away.

I wish there had been more variety. The tomatoes did not last long, we did get lettuce but only for a very short time. TONS of arugula which we enjoyed in pesto but it was just so much every week we could not keep up!

I think it's always worth a try to support a local farmer. All co-ops/csas are going to be a bit different. However, this year we are just going to try growing a few things ourselves rather than joining a CSA.

 

[powellrj]

I did a local CSA all last year. Was it worth it? I'm just not sure. Ours was $300ish for a full share for each season. There was a spring, summer and fall season. I loved supporting a local farmer and I loved having fresh veggies. However, there were some things about it I did not like and would not have done it this year even if it had been an option.

My biggest issue was the veggies we received. I was very open to trying new veggies and to eating what was in season since that really was the main purpose of the CSA. However, mostly what we received it seems are things that grow the best/easiest and are fairly inexpensive. Greens, greens, greens. We were so overrun with greens and no matter how I cooked them, they were not something we could learn to love. I have since tried them at a restaurant and they were actually very good so it was obvious I just could not figure out how to cook them properly. We received collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli greens, swiss chard, etc. The mustard and collard greens were HUGE. They seriously took up so much room in the fridge it was crazy. We obviously received other veggies but we what I remember most was the greens because they were pretty constant and I started just giving them away.

I wish there had been more variety. The tomatoes did not last long, we did get lettuce but only for a very short time. TONS of arugula which we enjoyed in pesto but it was just so much every week we could not keep up!

I think it's always worth a try to support a local farmer. All co-ops/csas are going to be a bit different. However, this year we are just going to try growing a few things ourselves rather than joining a CSA.

Every year I think I am going to buy a share or two, but when I read the offerings I decide I would rather just buy from their market and get what I like. The list is just too heavy on greens and not enough on the things we like to eat. I will sometimes spend $20 a week on tomatoes alone, I love them that much, and while I enjoy greens, I don't like them as often as them seem to be on the list!

 

[msmama]

Agree that they are SUPER heavy on the greens.

You don't mention how many in your family. It's just me and my son now so there is NO WAY we could eat it all. Even adding in my ex-husband, we had A LOT of wasted veggies.

The one I did, too was just veggies. You had to pay extra for a fruit share (which I didn't do because I had an awesome farm stand within walking distance). I think we still couldn't be able to eat it all though. But some of the best produce I've ever eaten!

 

[crjack]

Have you ever done a farm share? One of the local farms is doing one for the first time this year. It will run from July to November(*until they run out of produce I suppose)
They are offering half shares for $315. I am not sure if this will be a good deal or not. We have a backyard garden so I get a ton of tomatoes myself- but lettuce would be nice, I am not sure what the variety will be. I'm going to have to get more info from them

But have you ever done a Farm Share?

No farms near me but many come to a farmers market in my area during the season and this year in addition to CSA shares they are offering something new......a pre-paid debit card that you can use at the farmers market every week.

I love that idea because I get to pick out my own veggies & herbs each week. You have to pay up front and the money cant carry over at the end of the year but right now to get it going you get a $180 card value for $150....I think that's very cool and should do well.

The pre-paid committment helps the farmers and I love the flexibility it gives us.

 

[Amii]

The CSA I belong to is heavy on greens also. I juice them along with other fruits and veggies if we have too much.

The CSA I join has a veggie/berry CSA along with a meat CSA and a cheese CSA. Everything is organic and very fresh so it's worth it to me.

I have a garden and I grow things that I can freeze or can for the winter. I also grow things like carrots, potatoes and winter squash.

The CSA price seems about right and I live in a high cost of living area.

 

[treehugnmama]

I eat a ton of fruits and veggies but not big on collards and the greens. Got sick of them real fast.

I did a local CSA all last year. Was it worth it? I'm just not sure. Ours was $300ish for a full share for each season. There was a spring, summer and fall season. I loved supporting a local farmer and I loved having fresh veggies. However, there were some things about it I did not like and would not have done it this year even if it had been an option.

My biggest issue was the veggies we received. I was very open to trying new veggies and to eating what was in season since that really was the main purpose of the CSA. However, mostly what we received it seems are things that grow the best/easiest and are fairly inexpensive. Greens, greens, greens. We were so overrun with greens and no matter how I cooked them, they were not something we could learn to love. I have since tried them at a restaurant and they were actually very good so it was obvious I just could not figure out how to cook them properly. We received collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli greens, swiss chard, etc. The mustard and collard greens were HUGE. They seriously took up so much room in the fridge it was crazy. We obviously received other veggies but we what I remember most was the greens because they were pretty constant and I started just giving them away.

I wish there had been more variety. The tomatoes did not last long, we did get lettuce but only for a very short time. TONS of arugula which we enjoyed in pesto but it was just so much every week we could not keep up!

I think it's always worth a try to support a local farmer. All co-ops/csas are going to be a bit different. However, this year we are just going to try growing a few things ourselves rather than joining a CSA.

 

[Sadie22]

I did CSA for the first time last year. I purchased a full share even though there are only three of us at home now. A full share is under $500 here. I froze at least half and we are still enjoying the produce. We bought another freezer so we have the space. There was always a variety and fruits and vegetables every week, and if a choice was something we did not care for, there were usually either/or choices. If there was not something listed as either/or, a few times I did ask the farmer's wife if I could have more of something else rather than what was on the pick list and she always graciously granted my request.

Our CSA is a very well-managed operation which has been in business for a number of years. They have a website listing recipes for all the produce as well as suggestions for freezing and canning. The farmer's wife is always on hand on pickup day to answer questions or give suggestions. I especially liked being able to choose my own peaches, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, and so on.

Processing the fresh produce can be time consuming when you need to wash, peel if necessary, slice/dice/shred and cook something at the peak of freshness. I used my food processor so much I got a second one so I wouldn't have to wash the bowl, discs, and blades as often during the farming season. We learned to like a number of vegetables that we had never even tried.

I signed up for the coming season last fall at a discount. I plan to try even more new recipes this year. We plan to get more berries to freeze than we did before.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Sadie, your CSA sounds great! I think in the entire year I participated we received potatoes 1 or 2 times. Watermelon once and blackberries once. There were no substitutions.

You do have to be ready for all the prep as it is a ton of veggies to receive at one time.

 

[Judique]

I did CSA for the first time last year. I purchased a full share even though there are only three of us at home now. A full share is under $500 here. I froze at least half and we are still enjoying the produce. We bought another freezer so we have the space. There was always a variety and fruits and vegetables every week, and if a choice was something we did not care for, there were usually either/or choices. If there was not something listed as either/or, a few times I did ask the farmer's wife if I could have more of something else rather than what was on the pick list and she always graciously granted my request.

Our CSA is a very well-managed operation which has been in business for a number of years. They have a website listing recipes for all the produce as well as suggestions for freezing and canning. The farmer's wife is always on hand on pickup day to answer questions or give suggestions. I especially liked being able to choose my own peaches, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, and so on.

Processing the fresh produce can be time consuming when you need to wash, peel if necessary, slice/dice/shred and cook something at the peak of freshness. I used my food processor so much I got a second one so I wouldn't have to wash the bowl, discs, and blades as often during the farming season. We learned to like a number of vegetables that we had never even tried.

I signed up for the coming season last fall at a discount. I plan to try even more new recipes this year. We plan to get more berries to freeze than we did before.

Can you share the website/name/number, Sadie? I would like to check it out.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We just joined this year for the first time. Our farm has 3 sizes of shares--even though we have 6 people, I opted for the middle size, because I don't know how much we're actually going to eat. I'm hoping that my kids will try some new foods. I also figure we'll likely eat vegetables tht are available, and thus get more of them. Our neighborhood is very wooded, only a small garden might be possible, and frankly, I'm terrible at keeping up with one! I start with the best of intentions, but then slack off.

Ours seems a little different, in that we don't have so much greens. there's a separate share for lettuce as week as ones for honey, berries, herbs, cut flowers, and maple syrup. We opted for basket delivery, but I'm hoping to visit the farm stand (it's ~20 minutes away), just to check it out and see what else they have. We also start later, probably because it's New Hampshire.

I'm really looking forward to trying this.

 

[csmommy]

I have been a part of a Farm Share for years & it is great! Like Christmas on Wednesday - you know it is coming, but never really know what you are getting.

PROS - Organic, locally grown, supporting local farmers, so fresh & yummy, I have gotten veggies I would have never tried, but have grown to love, great sense of community.

CONS - The crops are based on weather conditions - so if it is really rainy, crops can be washed out, some of my fav's do not hold up well in certain weather, while others crops that we are not fans of do.

 

[Sadie22]

Can you share the website/name/number, Sadie? I would like to check it out.

From reading a few of your posts, Judique, I'm sure you live much closer to other CSA outlets and definitely too far away to travel to mine. However, Pickyourown.org and allrecipes.com are sites that can be helpful to everyone wherever they live. I learned a lot from both of those sites. You can enter what you have in the allrecipes search and get a bunch of recipes and ideas.

 

[punkin712]

One of the farms near us is starting a CSA this year. I thought about joining - because we go alot in the summer to pick our own tomatoes, berries, etc. - until I saw what you got for the $300 half-share price I'm all for supporting the local farm, especially because the stuff we have gotten from there the past 10 years has been great, but what they describe doesn't seem to justify the cost. This is from the brochure they have about the CSA:

"Members will receive 25 weeks of our own farm fresh produce, occasional cut flower bouquets and occasional hand crafted soap made by <farm family member>.

At the beginning of the growing season, here is an example of a weekly share.
1/2 share example:
*3 ears of corn
1 cantaloupe
1/2 lb. of green beans
1 pint box of grape tomatoes
1 squash
2 beets

At the height of the growing season, here is an example of a weekly share.
1/2 share example:
1/2 lb. of green beans
**3 tomatoes
**3 peaches
1 lb. of potatoes

*Please note that sweet corn is a stable food at the farm. During the season, most weeks will include sweet corn. The amount for the full shares will never exceed 8 ears of corn per week and the amount of corn for a half share will not exceed 4 ears of corn per week.
**As the bounty of summer flourishes and higher dollar value produce becomes available, it may seem that the weekly quantity in your basket is lesser compared to the beginning of the season, but remember that your designated dollar value for the weekly produce still remains the same."

Was I just expecting too much, or does this seem about right? DH and I could probably get through that stuff in 2 meals during the summer. Honestly, I think they lost me at "3 tomatoes" during the height of the growing season - we can pick (and probably eat ) 10 pounds of tomatoes without even breaking a sweat!

 

[arihillfarm]

One of the farms near us is starting a CSA this year. I thought about joining - because we go alot in the summer to pick our own tomatoes, berries, etc. - until I saw what you got for the $300 half-share price I'm all for supporting the local farm, especially because the stuff we have gotten from there the past 10 years has been great, but what they describe doesn't seem to justify the cost. This is from the brochure they have about the CSA:

"Members will receive 25 weeks of our own farm fresh produce, occasional cut flower bouquets and occasional hand crafted soap made by <farm family member>.

At the beginning of the growing season, here is an example of a weekly share.
1/2 share example:
*3 ears of corn
1 cantaloupe
1/2 lb. of green beans
1 pint box of grape tomatoes
1 squash
2 beets

At the height of the growing season, here is an example of a weekly share.
1/2 share example:
1/2 lb. of green beans
**3 tomatoes
**3 peaches
1 lb. of potatoes

*Please note that sweet corn is a stable food at the farm. During the season, most weeks will include sweet corn. The amount for the full shares will never exceed 8 ears of corn per week and the amount of corn for a half share will not exceed 4 ears of corn per week.
**As the bounty of summer flourishes and higher dollar value produce becomes available, it may seem that the weekly quantity in your basket is lesser compared to the beginning of the season, but remember that your designated dollar value for the weekly produce still remains the same."

Was I just expecting too much, or does this seem about right? DH and I could probably get through that stuff in 2 meals during the summer. Honestly, I think they lost me at "3 tomatoes" during the height of the growing season - we can pick (and probably eat ) 10 pounds of tomatoes without even breaking a sweat!

Although that breaks down to only $12 a week, unless the produce is organic, that does seem high for what they say you may get weekly. Around here (amish country) we buy green and wax beans for $1/lb., butternut and acorn squash for $1 each, usually 3 large tomatoes for $1. Corn is usually 6 for $1 at the end of summer. Cukes and small squash are 3/$1. We grow some of our own produce (we can really grow some tomatoes, LOL!) and buy most of the rest from the Amish farm stands close to our home. I can also buy fresh baked goods, raw honey, raw butter, soaps, maple syrup, etc. from them. A quart of maple syrup is $20.

-Astrid