Community Supported Agriculture is a mutually supportive relationship between the community and a farmer/farm. Typically, community members buy a share in the farm before the production season begins, giving the farm “seed money”. (seed, fertilizer, labor…….) In turn, the farmer/farm shares its produce with the shareholder community during the growing season for a prescribed time frame. Community members share the risk of farming with the farmer/farm so that the farm is more able to “weather the weather” if needed – essentially mutually sharing the inherent risks of farming. Please remember that A CSA is not a delivery service.
Our Berry Patch Farms Summer CSA typically starts the third week in June, running through October, twenty weeks. We strive to offer a wide variety of certified organic, delicious and nutritious produce at its’ seasonal best. Additionally, we offer an egg share with the highest quality pastured eggs from a local farm. We aim for seven produce items a week, balanced nutritionally. A weekly newsletter includes tips on preparation, storage and recipes.
With over thirty years of farming experience, we focus on crops that do well in their seasonal slots in our climate and soil. We are careful to adhere to good food safety practices and primarily work with beneficial insects for pest control. Seasonally, you can expect produce like beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, onions, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes and others. We grow a number of different delicious varieties so you have access to wonderful local produce not available in grocery stores.
As we all know, weather happens – hail, too much rain, drought, early and late freezes, extreme heat and damaging winds. The good news is that thus far, we’ve been blessed that we’ve never been “wiped out”. We take our commitment to our CSA members seriously and do our best to give value.
Part of the fun of CSA is the surprise element – like opening a gift box every week. It also encourages you towards healthier eating and trying yummy produce that you might not have had before. If you are game for eating with the seasons, get ready for some delicious results. We feel confident that preparing out produce will be a joyful and rewarding experience you will consider time well-spent.
CSA SHARES
CSA Flex Card (new for 2025): Looking for more flexibility? Cannot commit to 20 weeks? Too much food in traditional CSA share? Dietary needs/concerns? Introducing the CSA Flex Card which allows you to purchase vegetables, eggs, meat & fruit at the farm store when we are open to the public. (Tuesdays & Saturdays). There are two levels for the Flex Card; $300 ($325 value) & $500.($540 value). Once the balance is spent the card can be loaded in $100 increments, but no balances are carried over to the next year. Your Flex Card will be mailed to you on April 15th.
CSA TRADITIONAL SHARE: The Summer Share comes to you in a Full Share (20 weeks $850) or Half Share (10 weeks $430) form. Either way, you will receive Claudia’s mix of at least 7 varieties of vegetables carefully selected to lessen repetition.
ALL CSA MEMBERS WILL…..On Saturday's in September, (8-10 AM), no reservations to pick berries will be necessary. To pick one bouquet of flowers per month: ( June-October). To have a hay ride, pumpkin and a walk through the maze. To receive weekly enewsletters which include recipes and cooking tips. To be eligible for a monthly raffle (July-Oct.).
