Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

CSA Pick Up Times: Saturdays 11a to 3p and Mondays 3p to 7p

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farm's production becomes the "community's" farm production, with the growers and members 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's operation. 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. One season might be too hot for the peppers to set fruit, or another year wet weather may cause a scarcity of vine crops such as cucumbers and squash. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers can spend less time marketing and more time focusing on the production of higher quality crops.

Most CSAs offer a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs only in their seasons; along with a full array of farm products, including shares in eggs, meat, and cut flowers. Some farms offer a single commodity, or team up with other local farmers so that members receive a well-rounded selection of food. Each CSA is structured to meet the needs of the participants; so many variations exist, including the level of financial commitment, active participation by the shareholders, details of payment, and food distribution systems.

Community Supported Agriculture at Arrowhead

Here at Arrowhead, we formed our CSA starting with the 2008 season with the goal of providing fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, flowers and herbs to our members during the growing season. Our first season was a great success! The CSA at Arrowhead consists of weekly distributions of vegetables starting in mid June and running through early November, depending on the growing season, or approximately 20 to 22 weeks. It is our hope to provide 8 to 20 pounds of vegetables each week, varying with the seasons, to each shareholder.

In addition to the basic Vegetable Share, we would like to offer you add-on shares in our Kitchen & Cutting Garden Share, Livestock Share, Fruit Share, Early Season Vegetable Share and Late Season Vegetable Share. The Early Season Vegetable and the Late Season Vegetable are being offered as stand alone shares and can be purchased separately, Flower and Herb, Livestock, and Fruit are add-on shares only.

All members of the CSA at Arrowhead will be kept informed of the farm's progress throughout the growing season via an emailed newsletter. Special member only events are going to be scheduled, and informational tours and meetings planned.

Member signup for the 2017 CSA at Arrowhead has started, and will continue until the membership list fills for the season. We ask for a 50% nonrefundable deposit at signup, with the remainder of the share price by March 1, 2017. The reasoning for this is to allow use of your membership funds to start the 2017 season without the usual debt problems encountered on any farm in the spring. We can be somewhat flexible with payment plans, please ask.

All of our crops here at Arrowhead are produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticide sprays. We feed our livestock and poultry only homegrown or locally produced hay, forages, corn and other grains. You will not find any hormones, antibiotics, or animal by-products being fed to the animals here at Arrowhead.

By joining, you become part of the production of the crop(s), and you also assume some of the risk of farming. Bad weather, late freezes, insects/pests are all part of the normal risk in farming. A crop can be planted, look great for weeks, and then be lost to outside influences within hours. It's a gamble that all farmers have accepted for the privilege of a great lifestyle. By growing a diverse range of crops, we assure a plentiful harvest of good things to eat.

CSA members are always welcome to visit and use our picnic tables, enjoy the farm and visit the livestock. You may volunteer to help with some of the farm work if you would like. Fieldwork, help with distribution and help with crop growing are some of the options available. We will have some crops available for pick your own, and these will be posted on your distribution days.

Please join us on the farm in the production of your food to enjoy a season of fun and good things to eat. Learn where your food comes from, and always remember:

Buy Local, Its Fresh!