What is a CSA?

What exactly is a CSA? And how does it work?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It works primarily as a fresh vegetable subscription; for one upfront cost, CSA members pre-purchase a weekly share of our harvests in established 7-week periods. By committing this investment in our farm, members agree to share in the inherent risks of farming; frosts, pests, drought, extreme weather, and so on. In return, we promise to pay back their trust with the first and best produce from our fields, and to give in times of abundance.

Our CSA members make it possible to plan a diverse range of seasonal crops while minimizing our excess and waste. And they enjoy all the benefits of buying-in to their local food system: knowing where and how their food was grown, having access to those who grow it, and providing support to local businesses invested in health and sustainability.

Is a CSA right for me?
If you enjoy eating fresh vegetables often, like to experience new tastes, and cooking at home at least twice per-week, a CSA may be a great fit for you. If that doesn’t sound like you, we encourage you to consider all your options for shopping local produce to find the best fit; including visiting us at the Cotswold Farmer’s Market (May-Oct) and our Honor System Coolers located at the Innovation Barn.

What are your Growing Practices?
While our farm is not USDA Organic certified, we follow the lion’s share of their associated best practices. We maintain healthy plants through building healthy soil networks, use of insect-exclusion netting where necessary, and only occasional use of organic-approved repellents. Our Farm team has over two decades of combined experience in ecology-focused agriculture, and we eat the very same fruit and veg in our homes that we offer to the community.

What if I can’t pick up my share one or more weeks?
You can have a friend, neighbor, or co-worker pick up your weekly share any week you’re out of town or otherwise unavailable. Unfortunately, a missed pick-up cannot be postponed to a later week. All uncollected shares will be donated to local families in need through our partners. 

What if I need to cancel my CSA?
If, for whatever reason, you need to cancel your CSA purchase BEFORE the start of the 7-week season you wish to cancel, a refund minus a $15 processing fee will be issued. No cancellations or refunds for on-going or past CSA seasons are available.

Can I purchase a partial CSA (i.e. less than a full, 7-week season)?
Unfortunately, no. The multi-week commitment of your purchase is key to the viability of our CSA program. However, our produce is also available weekly at the Cotswold Farmer’s Market (May-Oct) and in our Honor System Coolers located at the Innovation Barn.