Old Earth Farm - CSA Info

2008 CSA HAS BEEN CANCELLED - CHECK BACK FOR 2009 SEASON

Old Earth Farm 2008 CSA Information

We use both Organic and Biodynamic Farming methods to bring you the best possible produce through good stewardship.

Catching a swarm

Creating Biodynamic Preparations

Snacking on cherry tomatoes

Breaking Ground for a New Bed

Old Earth Farm CSA

What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Community Supported Agriculture, or “CSA,” is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between community members and a local farmer, to share the cost of the farm season and to share the bounty of the harvest. Members join the farm over the winter, giving the farmer the funds needed to purchase seeds and tools for the year. During spring, summer, and fall, the members receive a wide variety of fresh and seasonal vegetables.

Members agree to share the risk of variable harvests, and to share the abundance of fruitful years. This relationship guarantees the farmer financial support and enables small organic family farms to thrive. It also gives the members a connection to the food they eat, and to the land where it is grown.

Garden

New Greenhouse Ready for Early Seedlings

Why CSA?

People are increasingly separated from the source of their food. Community Supported Agriculture is a creative response to this crisis. It is a model that emphasizes locally grown food, which promotes a local economy, and supports a safe food system. Participation in a CSA leads to a deeper understanding of our interdependence on one another and the land. The farm supplies not only nutritious chemical-free food, but an opportunity for a community to come together to develop a sense of place, to reconnect with one another and the rhythms of the seasons, and to preserve open space as working farms.

Praying Mantis Visiting the Broccoli

How does it work?

As a member of Old Earth Farm CSA, you will be entitled to an equal share of our harvest, consisting of herbs, flowers, and fresh vegetables from late May to mid November. We have two weekly pickup days, one at the farm in Oley on Wednesday and one on
Sunday at the Headhouse Square Farmers' Market in Philadelphia. Each
week we divide the number of vegetables harvested by the number of
members, so for example in mid-summer when we harvest 800 tomatoes
each week, every member can bring home up to 8 tomatoes.

Vegetables are set out farm market style, so you can choose
which vegetables you want to take, and which you'd like to leave on
the surplus table for another household to enjoy. You are welcome to take items from the surplus table for you own use as well. Your share also includes pick-your-own crops such as cherry tomatoes, green beans, pickling cucumbers, sauce tomatoes, and flowers - which can be picked at the farm - as well as any extra free-choice greens. In this way, members are not 'buying produce', but rather supporting a farm. No produce will be sold anywhere else, any leftovers will be composted and returned to the garden.

Members are always welcome to visit the farm.

Farm Manager, Tom Paduano

How much does it cost?

Shares for the 2008 season are $750. With 100 members, this will cover our farm costs of $75,000 for the season. The share price reflects our real costs in growing high quality all-natural vegetables. This includes salary for the farmers and apprentices, as well as funds for seeds, hand tools, soil amendments, and equipment.

Our CSA share provides enough vegetables for a family of 3-4 people – or 1-2 people who really love fresh produce! If you are a household of 1 or 2 people, you are welcome to join up with friends to “share your share.” A split share is $375 for each partner.

What is the expected seasonal harvest?

Late Spring/Early Summer

Mid-Summer

Late Summer/Fall

Year Round

Arugula, beets, broccoli, broccoli raab, cabbage, carrots, celery, cilantro, cucumbers, dill, endive, escarole, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, swiss chard, turnips.

**Berries coming next year!

Basil, beans, beets, cantaloupe, celery, cilantro, cucumbers, dill, eggplant, endive, escarole, fennel, flowers, leeks, lettuce, okra, onions, parsley, peppers, hot peppers, summer squash, swiss chard, tomatillos, tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini.

Arugula, beets, broccoli, broccoli raab, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, collard greens, dill, endive, escarole, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash.

**Berries coming next year!

Right next to our vegetable garden are pastures for our growing herds of Highland beef cows, Suffolk sheep, and heritage-breed Tamworth pigs. Also on pasture is Lucy, our dairy cow, who gives the sweetest raw milk. In 2008, we plan to keep a small flock of laying hens, and to raise a limited number of pastured broilers. Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, raw milk, and eggs are available at a discount to CSA members. The Old Earth Farm bakery produces artisan multi-grain bread, seasonal fruit breads, homemade jams, and our trademark granola. Baked goods are available at a discount to CSA members.