CSA

What is CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the collaboration of a farm and its extended neighbors in the growing and distribution of seasonal, fresh produce.  Farmers provide experience, knowledge, and lots of labor throughout the growing season to provide weekly distributions of crops for members.  Members provide money at the start of the season, when farmers need to purchase seeds and supplies, and a willingness to share in the experience (and maybe the work) of the farm.  Together, they share the risk and rewards of the growing season.  In a bad year (hail, drought, floods), the members may not get back produce worth the money they put in.  Most years, however, allow the farmer to provide an abundance of crops over the member cost and a wide array of fruits and vegetables.

How our CSA works

Our season runs for 19 weeks.  We expect our first delivery on June 12th and 14th, but this may be pushed a week ahead or back, depending on the weather we have this spring.  The last delivery is in mid-October, shortly after our year-end Harvest Festival at the farm.  Each week of the deliveries, we provide a

box of whatever produce is in season.  The first boxes are heavy on salad mixes and green things, with radishes and strawberries providing the only real non-green color.  As summer moves on, the boxes become much more diverse, colorful, and heavy.  This year you can expect the following in your boxes: Arugula, Asian Greens, Basil, Beets,  Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Gourds, Green Beans, Husk Cherries, Jack-o-lanterns, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna,  Leeks, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Pie Pumpkins, Potatoes, Radish, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Salad Mix, Scallions, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turnip, and Winter Squash.  We have also planted apples, blueberries, grapes, and many other fruits and nuts for future seasons.  Feel free to ask about your favorite varieties.

In addition to our produce, we also provide a weekly newsletter you can receive as either a physical copy in the box or via e-mail.  This newsletter provides updates from the farm, recipes, preparation tips, and ideas for preserving food. All of our newsletters and recipes are stored on our website under the “News” heading.  Visiting the farm is always encouraged, whether you want to pull weeds, watch your kids sample broccoli fresh from the stalk, or stop by and enjoy a quiet day in the country.  We will also host a fall Harvest Day, usually the last Saturday in September.

Our delivery sites are listed below.  Each week of the season, you will find a box of goodness at your chosen site.  We offer both full shares (for families of 4-5) and half shares (for couples and small families).  Both types of share are delivered weekly throughout the growing season.  Feel free to split a box with neighbors or friends!

Delivery sites & times

Tuesdays			Thursdays
1:30-9:00 pm	Hopkins Munka Beans Cafe 1206 Mainstreet		Excelsior: Birdhouse Inn 371 Water Street	1:30-9:00 pm
2:00-9:00 pm	St Louis Park: Honey & Rye Bake House 4501 Excelsior Blvd		Eden Prairie: People’s Organic Cafe 990 Prairie Center Drive	2:00-9:00 pm
2:20-9:00 pm	Minneapolis: Tangletown 110 W 49th Street		Chaska: Pioneer Trail and Audubon 2940 Autumn Woods Drive	2:15-9:00 pm
2:40- 9:00 pm	Richfield: Lakewinds Food Co-op 6420 Lyndale		Victoria: Hartman Garden Center Highway 5 & Bavaria/Rolling Acres Road	2:30-8:00 pm
3:00-9:00 pm	Chanhassen: Lakewinds Food Co-op 435 Pond Promenade		Waconia: 955 Breezy Court	2:45-9:00 pm

Cost   

Our CSA program costs $600 for a full share and $320 for a half share for the season.  This may be paid in total up front, half now and half by August 1, or according to other arrangements made with the farm.  While this might seem like

a lot to pay now, it is approximately $30/week for a full share and $15/week for a half share.  If you pay this much food for your weekly produce budget (or wish you did!), this is a deal for you.

How do I join?

If you would like to become a member with us this season, please click on the “CSA Form” heading above to print and fill out our form.  Mail it to the farm with payment, and we will follow up once we’ve heard from you.

Thanks so much for your interest in our farm!  –Red and Nina