CSA FAQ's
1) What does the term "CSA"
mean?
CSA stands for Community
Supported Agriculture. It
usually involves subscribers
buying a share of a farm's
output and subscribers pay in
advance to help the farmer
pay for seeds and supplies in
the spring.
2) Why are CSA's becoming
more popular?
More and more people are
beginning to pay attention to
the foods they eat and want
to know how they are grown
and what chemicals are being
used. CSA Subscribers deal
direct with the farmer who is
growing the crops. They can
visit the farm and talk directly
with the farmer and observe
what is going on. In some
cases they can even
volunteer to help with the
chores.
3) What are some of the
benefits of joining a CSA?
Your food is fresher and
more nutritious than what is
available in grocery stores.
You have access to food
varieties that are not
available in stores.
You can meet some
interesting subscribers --
people with an interest in
sustainable agriculture and
preserving our natural
environment. More...
1) What does the term "CSA"
mean?
CSA stands for Community
Supported Agriculture. It
usually involves subscribers
buying a share of a farm's
output and subscribers pay in
advance to help the farmer
pay for seeds and supplies in
the spring.
2) Why are CSA's becoming
more popular?
More and more people are
beginning to pay attention to
the foods they eat and want
to know how they are grown
and what chemicals are being
used. CSA Subscribers deal
direct with the farmer who is
growing the crops. They can
visit the farm and talk directly
with the farmer and observe
what is going on. In some
cases they can even
volunteer to help with the
chores.
3) What are some of the
benefits of joining a CSA?
Your food is fresher and
more nutritious than what is
available in grocery stores.
You have access to food
varieties that are not
available in stores.
You can meet some
interesting subscribers --
people with an interest in
sustainable agriculture and
preserving our natural
environment. More...
CSA
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CSA Details
Our CSA connects local farmers
with consumers.
Subscribers purchase a share of
farm output.
The money is used to pay the
costs of the farm.
Subscribers receive a weekly
share of what we grow.
How Much Do We Receive?
Healthy Plus Share usually
includes 10-15 items, early
harvest of products (the first
tomatoes), and has first choice of
limited items like fruit if we have
it. A Healthy Family Share should
include 6-10 items. A Healthy
Alternative Share is the same as
Healthy family Share but comes
every other week. Shareholders my
purchase additional quantities of
produce at the Heritage Prairie
Market at a discount from store
prices. Note: Weather is
unpredictable and a late spring
freeze, heavy hail, drought, or an
early fall freeze may reduce the
amount of produce.
If a Share is More Than I Need?
Some people share with family or
neighbors or split a share with a
friend.You may also choose to
purchase individual items at the
Heritage Prairie Market or our
booth at local farmers' markets.
Can We Pick Our Own? If we
have a sufficient harvest ,
subscribers will have the
opportunity to pick extra
quantities. In 2005 we allowed
subscribers to pick beans,
tomatoes, raspberries and others. S
hareholders are welcome to pick
their own herbs from our garden.
How Long is the Season? We
begin the week of June 17 and
harvest for 20 weeks through the
week of October 28.
What is the Farm Like? We lease
our land from the Garfield Farm
Museum and it is part of the
Mongerson Farm that was
purchased in 2000 and is in a
permanent agricultural land trust.
For the 2000 season We are
moving our subscriber pickup and
some growing to the newly-created
Heritage Prairie Market, Just on
the other side of Route 38. The
store, animals, demonstration
gardens and more are located
there.
Do You Provide Other Locally
Produced Products? Yes. Beth
provides beautiful, long-lasting
seasonal flower bouquets as an
option. For 2008 we will also be
offering bags of organic wheat,
rye, flax, and oats for people who
want to grow sprouts or grind their
own flour. We will be offering
poultry, eggs, meats, honey and
other products at the store.
How Do We Get Our Produce?
Farm pickup will be on
Wednesdays and Fridays and
delivery to Lombard, Wheaton,
and Elgin is on Tuesdays. We
make up boxes for delivery
customers. At the farm,
subscribers select their own
produce from bulk bins.
Our CSA connects local farmers
with consumers.
Subscribers purchase a share of
farm output.
The money is used to pay the
costs of the farm.
Subscribers receive a weekly
share of what we grow.
How Much Do We Receive?
Healthy Plus Share usually
includes 10-15 items, early
harvest of products (the first
tomatoes), and has first choice of
limited items like fruit if we have
it. A Healthy Family Share should
include 6-10 items. A Healthy
Alternative Share is the same as
Healthy family Share but comes
every other week. Shareholders my
purchase additional quantities of
produce at the Heritage Prairie
Market at a discount from store
prices. Note: Weather is
unpredictable and a late spring
freeze, heavy hail, drought, or an
early fall freeze may reduce the
amount of produce.
If a Share is More Than I Need?
Some people share with family or
neighbors or split a share with a
friend.You may also choose to
purchase individual items at the
Heritage Prairie Market or our
booth at local farmers' markets.
Can We Pick Our Own? If we
have a sufficient harvest ,
subscribers will have the
opportunity to pick extra
quantities. In 2005 we allowed
subscribers to pick beans,
tomatoes, raspberries and others. S
hareholders are welcome to pick
their own herbs from our garden.
How Long is the Season? We
begin the week of June 17 and
harvest for 20 weeks through the
week of October 28.
What is the Farm Like? We lease
our land from the Garfield Farm
Museum and it is part of the
Mongerson Farm that was
purchased in 2000 and is in a
permanent agricultural land trust.
For the 2000 season We are
moving our subscriber pickup and
some growing to the newly-created
Heritage Prairie Market, Just on
the other side of Route 38. The
store, animals, demonstration
gardens and more are located
there.
Do You Provide Other Locally
Produced Products? Yes. Beth
provides beautiful, long-lasting
seasonal flower bouquets as an
option. For 2008 we will also be
offering bags of organic wheat,
rye, flax, and oats for people who
want to grow sprouts or grind their
own flour. We will be offering
poultry, eggs, meats, honey and
other products at the store.
How Do We Get Our Produce?
Farm pickup will be on
Wednesdays and Fridays and
delivery to Lombard, Wheaton,
and Elgin is on Tuesdays. We
make up boxes for delivery
customers. At the farm,
subscribers select their own
produce from bulk bins.
2005 CSA Newsletters:
June 12 July 10 Aug 7 Sept 4 Oct 1
June 19 July 17 Aug 14 Sept 10 Oct 8
June 26 July 24 Aug 21 Sept 17 Oct 15
July 3 July 31 Aug 28 Sept 24 Dec Update
June 12 July 10 Aug 7 Sept 4 Oct 1
June 19 July 17 Aug 14 Sept 10 Oct 8
June 26 July 24 Aug 21 Sept 17 Oct 15
July 3 July 31 Aug 28 Sept 24 Dec Update
How Do You Harvest And Process the
Produce? We harvest vegetables that
keep well the night before pickup and
greens in the morning of the pickup day.
We do a minimum of washing, trimming
in order to preserve the nutritional
quality of the produce.
How Do You Grow Your Crops? We
use no chemical herbicides or pesticides.
We will use a small amount of commercial
fertilizer but we are committed to
replacing that with organic compost and
other compounds as we learn how to
obtain and apply them. We use no
genetically modified varieties and practice
sustainable growing practices.
How Can I Interact With The Farm
and the Farmers? We maintain and
open farm policy so you may come and
visit any time we are working. We
encourage volunteers who help us with
farm chores and get to learn about
organic growing methods.
How much does a share cost? Shares
Rrange from about $22 to $45 per week.
How Do I Pay? We offer significant
discounts for early cash payment. We
allow subscribers to make two payments
if they provide both checks at the
beginning of the season. We can also
take Visa and Mastercard.
What if I Sign Up For a "Veggie
Lovers" share and It’s too much to
eat? You may change your order size
and we’ll prorate the cost. You may also
add the flower option at any time during
the season.
My I try the Program to See if I like
it? We offer a two-week trial; cost varies
depending on the season. Also, if you
find the program is not what you
expected and wish to stop, we will make
a refund to cover the unused portion of
your subscription.
What Happens When I go on
Vacation? We encourage subscribers to
give their share to a friend or neighbor.
Will You Give Tours to Groups? We
will give tours and will conduct
educational programs for a modest fee.