CSA: Q and A
This discussion is for questions about CSAs. Ask our members any question you want about sharing in a farm. Some FAQs are below.
What is a CSA share?
Well, CSA means community supported agriculture. Farmers sell shares to their harvest. You pay at the beginning of the season and then share in the vegetables and other crops that you've helped the farmer to plant. Pick-ups are generally once a week.
When should I sign up?
The late winter and early spring is the season to sign up. Shares usually run from about Memorial Day through the end of October.
Where can I sign up?
You can check out our list of local farms to find one at which to sign up. Ask HVFN members about their preferences by posting a comment below.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Todd Essig on -
As a big CSA fan let me say nice start Meghan -- I hope this Q and A about CSAs proves useful. Those who are interested might also find interesting a 3-part piece about getting local foods to local tables I wrote last January: http://trueslant.com/toddessig/2010/01/09/getting-local-foods-to-lo...
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Permalink Reply by Walter Earl on
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I was wondering who was REALLY happy with their CSA as far as the quality/quantity of produce considering the cost of membership?
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Permalink Reply by Meghan E. Murphy on -
I am very happy with my membership at Taliaferro Farms in New Paltz. I share a full share. I believe my cost is $450. I think that may be slightly more expensive then other CSAs, but the amount of food in half of a share is hearty, especially in good harvest years. During the peak of the season, I leave each week with three or four brimming bags of vegetables. We also get strawberries, apples and u-pick raspberries. There's a u-pick herb garden and flower cutting, with a bouquet every week included in the share, if you'd like. The farm is also completely organic.
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Permalink Reply by Beth Poague on -
I love our share from Common Ground Farm. I have a three-year old and we have many opportunities to be out in the fields, picking green beans, peas, tomatoes or flowers (and lots more), and hanging with the farmer and interns. Sometimes my husband and I discuss if it's a little too expensive, but it comes out to be very reasonable per pound for organically-grown vegetables, and last year we had the MOST amazing heads of lettuce I have ever eaten. I dream about it. Same for the butternut squash, and everything else for that matter. Fresh makes a difference - it lasts all week and tastes amazing. There is lots of variety, including many heirlooms, and a full share is perfect for our family of 3, although we have a great seasonal veggie cookbook that helps us figure out to do with stuff. Full disclosure, I'm on the board - but I joined the board this year after being a member for 5 because I love it!!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Burns Feyl on -
Local Harvest has a great explanation of CSAs on their website: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Hudson Highlands Land Trust also sent a nice, concise description to their email list earlier this year: http://hhlt-org.tumblr.com/post/17329149261/consider-joining-a-csa-...
Hope this helps!
Sarah
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