CSA Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by Farmers Skip Connett + Erin Flynn
Your Farmers
1. What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) helps keep a family farm in business while providing citizens with nourishing food that supports the local economy. That’s the long answer. The short one is: A CSA puts the “culture” back in agriculture. A CSA connects a community to their food and to each other. Members join the farm for a variety of reasons: to improve their health, to cook with the highest quality, best tasting food, to experience a farm, to protect farm land from development, to find like-minded friends, to introduce children to nature. But what all members share by joining a CSA is that they are supporting their neighborhood farm, economically and emotionally.
To learn more about CSAs, read “Sharing the Harvest, A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture,” by Elizabeth Henderson, the farmer who introduced the CSA concept to American farmers. There is a wealth of online info on CSAs as well.
2. What’s in a typical weekly share?
We seek to provide at least 8 to 10 different products -- usually heirloom varieties bursting with flavor. Because these varieties are chosen for their flavor and not for their ability to endure shipping, you won’t find them in most stores. We guarantee you’ll be amazed at the difference between our vegetables and store-bought varieties.
In addition to vegetables, we have an active farm stand (open Fridays and Saturdays) and offer a wide range of community activities that may include the following this fall: gardening workshops, yoga classes, an annual Feast in the Field to benefit the Austin Discovery School, frequent Dai Due suppers, Film Fall series, Free Kid Fun Day, and more. See our Events page for more information.
3. What crops do you grow?
The fall season will likely begin with goodies like green beans, cucumbers, summer squash, eggplant and okra and soon move on to greens like spinach, arugula, kale and red mustard; delicacies like green garlic and baby Swiss chard; favorites like broccoli, cabbage, radishes, snow peas, green onions, turnips, and carrots.
In spring, the season ramps up with potatoes, kohlrabi, peas, beets, and leeks. By late May, you’ll receive cucumbers, summer squash, beans, and the first of the nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant). Here’s a local harvest calendar Travis County Planting Calendars to help you better anticipate the range of possibilities.
Fresh eggs, homemade bread, raw cow’s milk, cheese and other local products are available for purchase as we can get them. Meat comes from our friends at Richardson Farms. Come shop at our Farm Stand on Fridays, 12-6; Saturdays, 10-2. (Farm Stand Location: 8310 Canoga Ave, Austin, TX 78724, off Decker Lane + E. MLK)
4. What are the costs, schedules?
The dates of our fall CSA will be determined by the summer rainfall. We anticipate it will be a 14-week CSA, from the end of September thru mid-December. The cost is $35/week or $490 for the full season. You may join for 14-weeks, 7-weeks or Alternating weeks.
Pick-ups are at our farm on either Tuesday (4-7); Friday (12-6) or Saturday (10-2) -- you choose the day that works best for you. We can arrange drop-off points in town for group of 10 or more. We currently offer a drop-off point in Hyde Park on Tuesday afternoons. Contact our Hyde Park coordinator, dshell@austin.rr.com, for more info.
Our spring CSA is 20 weeks, from March until July. (Members can join for 10 weeks; however, they can not be guaranteed a spot for the following 10 weeks given the high demand for membership.) Please complete our agreement and mail payment today to reserve your share!
5. What are payment options? Why do you want money up front?
By paying the farmer in advance, you allow the farmers to purchase seed, hire staff and gather other materials necessary to start the growing season. This method provides some financial stability and lets the farmers focus on farming, rather than struggling to make ends meet until the harvest.
If making a lump sum payment is a hardship, please contact us to discuss an installment plan (post-dated checks work well).
6. Can I work in exchange for food?
Yes, volunteers who work a 3 to 4-hour shift are given access to “seconds.” (Seconds are vegetables with imperfections; this is what the farmers eat.) For people who want to come on a regular basis we offer a more formal arrangement through a limited number of Workshare Memberships, who commit to working four hours a week in exchange for a discounted vegetable share. See this document for more info: worksharemembersFAQ.doc,
7. What if I cannot pick up my share?
Typically, neighbors and/or other CSA members pick up shares when a member can’t. Our CSA Check in sheet lists members by ZIP code/phone number to make it easy to find someone to help. (Please note, that if you do not arrange an alternate your share will be forfeited.)
8. Can I exchange something in my share?
Yes, we have a swap box.
9. I’m not sure if we can use that much food. Do you offer smaller shares?
Many of our members tell us they’re surprised at how much more produce they start using when they join the CSA. (It tastes that good!) We provide recipes each week so you may find you’re eating more than you imagined. That said, if you are an individual or uncertain about how much you will use, sign up for an ALTERNATING SHARE where you come every other week. If you decide you’d like to start receiving food every week, we will gladly change your membership from Alternating to Full, if memberships are available.
10. What if I get tired of a particular type of vegetable?
When you eat in season, it’s inevitable that you will tire of something. (By November, we couldn’t look at another tomato.) That’s why we have weekly recipes to inspire you.
11. Can I get other groceries/treats in addition to vegetables?
Yes, we offer a WEEKLY FLOWER SHARE, a beautiful freshly harvested bouquet of edible flowers and herbs that is waiting for you at pick-up. You can also purchase pastured meats, eggs, bread, desserts, honey, as available. In addition, you can participate in a biweekly raw cow’s milk coop where you may prepurchase milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. (Texas law prevents us from making direct sales at our farm stand. Tell your representatives that current dairy laws favor large factory farms at the expense of small local dairies.)
12. Can I give a CSA membership as a gift?
Yes, we will provide you with a gift certificate. You can also get gift certificates to purchase produce at our farm stand. Give the gift of health!
13. How do I join the CSA?
Just fill out this form Green Gate Farms Fall 2009 CSA Terms of Agreement.doc and mail it to us with a payment. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Existing members are given priority.
14. What else do I need to know?
Joining our CSA means you improve your health, strengthen the local economy and preserve green space. We strongly encourage you to participate in the farm, whether it’s walking the fields, introducing your children to the goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks and other animals or attending our workshops, picnics and Slow Food Feast Fundraiser (Saturday, October 24, 2009).
Eating in season is a new experience for all of us. A CSA means you give up some control over your shopping experience, but we’re certain that the food, friends and fun will more than make up for this.
We look forward to you joining us!
