Tulmeadow Farm CSA Program
Our CSA sign-up has ended for the 2011 season. Read on to learn how CSA works, and stay tuned for further updates to join our CSA program next season. Thank you for your support in the 2011 season.
What is a CSA?
Seedlings are starting to grow in our greenhouses – March 2nd, 2011
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a way to connect people with a farm in their community. When you join a CSA program, you are committing to buying a weekly share of the farm’s production. When you buy a membership, you are paying for a season’s share in advance. This provides the farmer, in this case Tulmeadow Farm, with start up capital for seeds, supplies, utilities, etc. for the upcoming season. When the harvesting begins in June and for 20 weeks thereafter, the member (you and your family) pick up a weekly share of what the farm has produced. The cost comes to $20.00 per week, and we will include at least that much value in your weekly pick-up.
Shared Risk
One of the concepts that go with a CSA program is shared risk. In theory, should there be a total crop failure, you would not get a weekly share. In our case, with our greenhouse crops and other farm produced products like beef and ice cream, we think we will not be coming up short.
How do we grow our food?
Tulmeadow Farm is not certified organic. That being said, most of the vegetables we produce are not sprayed with anything. If we have an insect or blight problem, we attempt to correct it with organic controls first. If stronger measures are needed, we might resort to materials not on the organic list. We use disease resistant varieties when they are available, but not genetically modified seeds or plants. The one crop that we do spray is sweet corn, because wormy corn seems to upset people. We only spray about half as is recommended, so control is not always 100%.
What will you receive for your membership?
- fresh picked Tulmeadow Farm grown produce
- farm-raised grass fed, frozen, ground beef, hot dogs or kielbasa dogs without antibiotics or preservatives
- an opportunity to try some things you might not have tried before
- a more direct connection to the seasonality of locally grown produce
Tulmeadow Farm-Bucks / Another Version of a CSA Program
Farm Bucks are available in packets of ten $5.00 certificates, a $50.00 value for $45.00 and are available for purchase until March 20th 2011.
Tulmeadow Farm was offering a prepayment program for the 2011 spring season called “Tulmeadow Farm-Bucks”. Tulmeadow Farm-Bucks can be purchased in groups of ten $5.00 Farm-Buck certificates ($50.00 worth) for $45.00 saving you 10%. You can buy as many groups of ten Farm-Buck certificates as you wish (greater amounts equal a greater value). They can be used after April 1, 2011 either at the Farm Store or Ice Cream Window. They must be fully redeemed for products as we do not exchange Farm-Bucks for cash.
The program has ended for this season, but be sure to check back to take advantage when we offer Farm-Bucks again later this year and secure yours for a 10% discount.