What is CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) brings together community members, farmers and agricultural land in a relationship of mutual support based on an annual commitment to one another--a commitment that ensures the survival of local farms today and for future generations. In CSA, community members pay the farmer an annual membership fee to cover farm production costs. In return, those members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing season. This arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and enables many small scale organic family farms to remain in business, while ensuring shareholders local, organically raised produce over the whole season. Ultimately, CSA creates agriculture-supported communities where members receive a wide variety of foods harvested at the peak of ripeness, flavor, and at the height of vitamin and mineral content
Are your vegetables Organic?
All of our produce are grown under the regulations set by the USDA in the National Organic Plan (NOP) and are Certified Naturally Grown. We never use synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. We never use seed that have been Genetically Engineered (GE) or that are of Genetically Modified Origin (GMO's). All of our produce is safe to eat!
What Can I Expect In My Share?
What you receive in your box will vary throughout the season. A Large share will receive a 1/2 bushel box of freshly harvested, Certified Naturally Grown produce each week. While our goal is to fill your box with produce at or above the weekly value of your basket, the volume of the box will vary--at the peak of the season, you will receive more produce than you likely will right at the beginning. One of the benefits of participating in a CSA is learning the "old time" practice of "eating with the seasons." For a projected sheet of what we plan on growing and when we hope to have them, see our 2011 Projected Crop & Harvest Schedule!
Again, you will be eating with the actual, local seasons! To see roughly when we plan on having different crops please see our 2011 Projected Crop & Harvest Schedule!
Is Everything Grown By You?
Yes, we grow everything in our shares--however we do reserve the right to add local produce if we have a disastrous crop failure (this has happened twice to us, once on green beans in 2004, and last year on our main season crop of tomatoes). If this ever does happen, we will make sure that you know what item it is that we didn't grow!
You can count how old our produce is by hours--not weeks! We harvest all of our produce throughout the week at the peak of ripeness, flavor, and quality, and only the best makes it to market!
How Do CSA's Compare to Retail Prices?
A large CSA share costs $28.00 a week. A small share costs $20.00. Most consumers easily spend this amount per week on produce. Also, all of our items are Certified Naturally Grown and harvested to ensure you receive exceptionally fresh and flavorful food. When you compare our CSA share price to buying organic from the grocery store you'll see it's a great value. We strive to deliver our produce within hours of harvest--freshness you can't find in stores for any price!
Can I Split a Share with Somebody?
Actually this is a great idea for folks who are afraid that a share would be too much for them, or want to add some flexibility to their menu while still taking advantage of our great program! It also allows folk the option of "ooh, I hate that" to give it to their "friend." However, there are drawbacks--how do you split a melon? (we recommend one person cut the melon, and the other person gets to choose).
What Happens If I Miss a Delivery?
If you can't make it to pick up your share, you may have a friend or family member pick it up for you (or themselves). Any shares that are not claimed, will be donated to somebody in need, or returned to the farm and composted. No reimbursement will be issued for missed shares, so please make sure to line up somebody to get it!
How Do I Pick Up My Share?
Show up during the correct hours at the site that you designated while joining up. Check your name off of the clip board and transfer your produce from the box to bags (we'll have bags if you need them). Farm staff will be manning the booth so if you need help "just holler!"
Can I Buy Produce For Canning?
All shareholders are encouraged to put up produce for the Winter! Many of our items we should have in bulk upon request for canning, and all shareholders will receive a discount on their purchases!
Can We Visit the Farm?
Unlike the farms that produce grocery store food, you can actually visit our farm! We are an operating farm, so please understand that we won't be able to spend a bunch of time "visiting." Also we request that you check with us to make sure it's a good time to come!
Also, we host two "farm days" annualy with fun activities for everybody--these days are set aside to be spent with you! (2011 dates TBA)
Where can I pick-up my Share?
View CSA Dropoffs in a larger map
Which Share Size Do I Need?
See our "CSA" page for our "Share Size Calculator!"
In general we recommend the Large share for families of 3-4 people that eat an "average" amount of produce, and the small share for 1-2 people that eat an "average" amount of produce. Take into consideration if you eat more or less produce than the "average" family!
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Colvin Family Farm--A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Serving in the Knoxville, Maryville, Farragut, Crossville, and Dayton TN areas (Share Bags/Boxes/Baskets)
© 2010 Colvin Family Farm
