CSA - Community Supported Agriculture
CSA refers to a mutually beneficial arrangement between a farm and its customers:
Customers pay upfront, providing the farm with vital capital before the growing season gets going. In exchange, you receive a regular and diverse share of the harvest, usually every week, until the end of the growing season at a price that is better than retail. When you purchase a CSA share, you are securing the freshest the season has to offer while supporting the viability of a local farm.
Farms growing for CSAs generally diversify their crops so that a failure of one or a few crops doesn't impact their bottom line as drastically as a farm growing a single crop. Customers who support a farm by purchasing a CSA share acknowledge this risk of potential crop failure. Generally, diversity is an agricultural safety net that ensures there will be plenty of food on the table!
2021 projected produce list:
Vegetables:
mixed baby greens, head lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, red and green cabbage, napa cabbage, Brussels' sprouts, red, yellow and sweet onions, leeks, scallions, chives, garlic, snap and snow peas, string beans, carrots, radishes, beets, summer squash, winter squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, potatoes, turnip, tomatillos, fennel, celery, rhubarb and radicchio
Herbs:
chives, parsley, cilantro, dill, sage, basil, oregano, thyme, lovage, mint, anise hyssop, horseradish, edible flowers and other herbs used for teas
Fruits:
Currants, plums, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, apples and pears
Add-Ons when available:
beef, lamb, eggs
cut flowers
Mushrooms from Mansfield Mushroom Co.
prepared seasonal foods
herbal products (dried tea and and culinary herb blends, salves, fire cider, etc)
Testimonials from our customers:
"This was our first time being members of a CSA and we were so happy with the experience from beginning to end. Our favorite part was being able to choose what we wanted in our CSA each week we picked up food. The variety was unbelievable- herbs, fruits, vegetables, storage crops, and even watermelons. Evan and Emily were great at consistently communicating with us about the offerings and when our food was ready to pick up. The food itself was fresh and delicious, with lots of heirloom varieties."
"This was our first year having a CSA from Fledgling Farmstead and it will not be our last. We loved going up to the farm every other week to pick up our bag of fresh fruits and veggies; there was an element of surprise that we both found very exciting and the selection would help dictate our meal choices for the week. Evan and Emily certainly know how to grow incredible veggies. that's for sure, but they also know how create a very comfortable and clean customer experience."
What We Offer: CSA
Our CSA provides a diverse offering of vegetables and culinary herbs. We also offer eggs, grass-fed beef and lamb, and seasonal fruit as weekly add-ons as available.
Expect a full share to feed a family of four moderate veggie eaters or two veggie-loving adults. If you are a single person or a couple who eats fewer veggies, consider the bi-weekly share, which provides a pickup every other week.
A share will include 6-8 different produce items from early June to mid-July and then 8-10 items mid-July through the fall. Each week, we will send out an email with the week's offerings and you can select what you like. For example, you could get 6 different items in early June or double-up on a particular piece of produce that you really like!
'Add-ons' will be available each week as supplies last. These add-ons can be chosen in your weekly selection form and paid for at pick-up.
** We are full for the 2021 season! Click the "Join Us" button at the top of the page for occasional farm updates, or look for us at the Chelsea Farmer's market Fridays from 3-6 pm, May 21-September 24, 2021!
Full Share: $450
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18 weekly shares from early June through early October
Half Share: $225
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9 shares from early June through early October:
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bimonthly shares June through September and a final share in early October
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Payment Plans:
A minimum of 25% is due as a deposit upon signing up.
Another 25% payment is due by your first pickup, or you can pay the entire remaining balance at that time.
We offer several options to cover the remaining balance:
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Monthly payment: Pay 25% in July and 25% in August
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Pay-as-you-go: Starting on your second week of pick up, pay a portion of your remaining 50% at each pickup
CSA Pick-Up Locations:
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Fledgling Farmstead, Tuesdays or Fridays, 10-6 PM
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Chelsea Farmer's Market, Fridays from 3-6 pm
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Other locations TBD for the 2021 season