Here are all the details about our group.

Philosophy

Our goal is to

• Support agriculture in CT and a farmer of Emanuel in particular

• Connect people more closely with their food supply

• Make fresh produce conveniently available to downtown Manchester and members of Emanuel Lutheran

Here is someone else's summary of CSA

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.  

The Costs

The cost is $320 per share.  $300 goes to the farmers and $20 is for bins and other overhead expenses.  You can also purchase a 1/2 share for $170 ($150 to farmer, $20 overhead).  For smaller portions, partner with some friends and get a share together - however, you'll need to do your own subdivision of veggies.

A total of 24 full shares will be sold in 2008.  Each share represents 1/24 of whatever vegetables are grown on one acre of land.

Getting your Vegetables

Each shareholder (or group) will have two bins.  You'll pick up your veggies once per week at the farm on your designated day.  Naturally, you're welcome to partner with other members to schedule joint pick-ups.  You return an empty bin and receive a full bin.

In some seasons, there may be additional mid-week pickups at short notice.  You'll get an email notification of these pick-ups.  

If you're on vacation

If you are away, you can ask anyone else to take your produce for the week; however, it still needs to be picked up on Sunday morning.  Any produce not claimed become the property of the farmers (and may be donated to MACC, etc.).

Risks

Part of the goal of a CSA is to share the risks every farmer takes in growing food among members.  This means that in a given year, some crops will do well, others may totally fail.  There is no guarantee about what vegetables or what quantity of vegetables you will receive. 

Also, not every vegetable produced on a farm is 'picture perfect' - you'll receive all vegetables that are deemed edible, not all veggies that would be deemed market ready.

THIS IS OUR SECOND YEAR - THERE ARE BOUND TO BE SOME PROBLEMS THAT WE ASSUME YOU WILL TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN IDENTIFYING AND HELPING US FIX.  ALSO, THIS IS A COOPERATIVE, NOT A STORE.  THIS MEANS YOUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IS EXPECTED, AND COMPLAINERS SHOULD STICK TO STORES.

Organic vs. Local

At the moment, our farmers are not trained in organic farming.  However, they have years of experience in minimal use of fertilizers and vegetable approved pesticides.  For this year, we have simply asked our farmers to grow vegetables as they have for years.  Ed is licensed in CT to use pesticides and has yearly training in their approved use.  If this year is successful, we can begin the process of discussion the possible conversion to organic farming methods.

Here is a link to a recent article in TIME magazine about organic vs. local :

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1595245,00.html

The Future

Here are some of our ideas for the future :

• Add eggs as a year-round product produced by the farm

• Add more members next year

• Move toward organic farming methods

• Have canning/freezing parties at church

Veggies are Planted!