Interested in a CSA?
Edited to add: We've gotten a firm partnership for a CSA share (mischief03 and yanni85), so we don't need somebody to split a share anymore. But feel free to keep using comments in this post to network with each other, as there seems to be a lot of interest. The webpage listing all the Minnesota (or close Wisconsin) CSAs is http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html.
What a CSA is.
Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, you pay an upfront fee and get a split of the farmer's harvest. They get some protection against price fluctuations and weather disasters, and you get a variety of extremely fresh organic produce on a weekly basis through the growing season.
Personally, I love the idea of getting a weekly surprise box filled with tasty, fresh, organic goodness. I get warm fuzzies at the idea of supporting an independent farm. And it's an excellent way to ensure we eat our veggies (I hope).
We are looking for another household to split a CSA share with. A single share is way too much food for any two people to eat. Unless a) they are vegetarian, b) never eat out, and c) are willing to can/freeze/dry large quantities. Splitting a share is also far more economical than buying a 1/2 share.
Things to consider when looking at a CSA share.
Growing season - most CSAs offer June - October deliveries. Some have extended seasons. This was one of our considerations.
Variety - Some places have more varieties, some offer more fruit, some even add flowers. A lot of places offer separate cheese/meat/egg shares, but those are beyond our budget for now.
Drop-off point - We'll probably be choosing one in Minneapolis.
Standard prices seem to be $900-$600 for a full share, and $500-$400 for a half-share (purchased directly from the farm, not split).
Our Finalists
These are places that we would like to get a share to, but can only afford if we can split a share with somebody else. Now, I confess to laziness--I only looked at those CSAs that had a website. I did not call every single one to get pricing and so on.
Harmony Valley Farms - Our first choice (And we're going to get one there!). Also the most expensive option, but their extended season goes from May - December. That's a lot. They have decent variety and good drop-off points. A split share would cost $415 each.
Philadelphia Community Farm - Quite close, only 1 hr out of the Twin Cities. Gets bonus points for also being an education/conservation farm, and for having another super-long season (if you buy the option) - April - November. They have a standard variety, nothing special (except the maple syrup). No fruit (most shares include strawberries, raspberries, and maybe a melon or two). A split share would cost $325 each.
Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables - Lots of variety, lots of heirloom plants. A regular growing season (June-October/November). A split share would cost $300.
Earth Dance Farm - Very good variety including herbs, apples, and plums. Some harvest festivals (most places have these). This would be my first pick on variety alone. The drop-off would be at our house--or yours, if it works out as more convenient overall that way. Standard growing season. A split share would cost $260 each.
We'll be making our final decision before the end of the week, so if you're interested and willing to make a commitment, please let me know. We've had some people who are tentatively interested, but only tentatively.
And to everybody else? There's a good chance that even a half-share will be more veggies than we can handle, so...expect dinner invitations in the peak of harvest season. And expect veggies.
What a CSA is.
Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, you pay an upfront fee and get a split of the farmer's harvest. They get some protection against price fluctuations and weather disasters, and you get a variety of extremely fresh organic produce on a weekly basis through the growing season.
Personally, I love the idea of getting a weekly surprise box filled with tasty, fresh, organic goodness. I get warm fuzzies at the idea of supporting an independent farm. And it's an excellent way to ensure we eat our veggies (I hope).
We are looking for another household to split a CSA share with. A single share is way too much food for any two people to eat. Unless a) they are vegetarian, b) never eat out, and c) are willing to can/freeze/dry large quantities. Splitting a share is also far more economical than buying a 1/2 share.
Things to consider when looking at a CSA share.
Growing season - most CSAs offer June - October deliveries. Some have extended seasons. This was one of our considerations.
Variety - Some places have more varieties, some offer more fruit, some even add flowers. A lot of places offer separate cheese/meat/egg shares, but those are beyond our budget for now.
Drop-off point - We'll probably be choosing one in Minneapolis.
Standard prices seem to be $900-$600 for a full share, and $500-$400 for a half-share (purchased directly from the farm, not split).
Our Finalists
These are places that we would like to get a share to, but can only afford if we can split a share with somebody else. Now, I confess to laziness--I only looked at those CSAs that had a website. I did not call every single one to get pricing and so on.
Harmony Valley Farms - Our first choice (And we're going to get one there!). Also the most expensive option, but their extended season goes from May - December. That's a lot. They have decent variety and good drop-off points. A split share would cost $415 each.
Philadelphia Community Farm - Quite close, only 1 hr out of the Twin Cities. Gets bonus points for also being an education/conservation farm, and for having another super-long season (if you buy the option) - April - November. They have a standard variety, nothing special (except the maple syrup). No fruit (most shares include strawberries, raspberries, and maybe a melon or two). A split share would cost $325 each.
Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables - Lots of variety, lots of heirloom plants. A regular growing season (June-October/November). A split share would cost $300.
Earth Dance Farm - Very good variety including herbs, apples, and plums. Some harvest festivals (most places have these). This would be my first pick on variety alone. The drop-off would be at our house--or yours, if it works out as more convenient overall that way. Standard growing season. A split share would cost $260 each.
We'll be making our final decision before the end of the week, so if you're interested and willing to make a commitment, please let me know. We've had some people who are tentatively interested, but only tentatively.
And to everybody else? There's a good chance that even a half-share will be more veggies than we can handle, so...expect dinner invitations in the peak of harvest season. And expect veggies.