CSA creates a direct relationship between you and the farm – a partnership, if you will. In essence, it is a mutually beneficial arrangement, where in exchange for your commitment to buy a share in the farm's harvest, I commit to grow exceptionally high quality vegetables and herbs, and deliver a bountiful portion of it to you every week of the subscription term. Become a member of the CSA program and every week throughout the subscription term you will receive a share of fresh, naturally grown, CERTIFIED ORGANIC in-season produce and herbs.
Diversity is the key to getting plenty of food...and eating seasonably is what it is all about. As a shareholder, you receive rare and heirloom vegetables, herbs, and fruits on a first-come first-serve basis….this gives your family an opportunity to enjoy fruits and vegetables that have historic significance and may never see again. I want your CSA share box to be like getting a PRESENT! I want you and your family to be excited to open it every time you receive it!
In a CSA, members share in the risk of farming. Members share in bountiful crops and sometimes not-so-bountiful crops that haven’t performed as well because of weather, bugs or other factors beyond my control. One last thing, lots of people want to come to the farm to work, or look at crops. There are lots of reasons why I don't let people come to the farm, but the following photos are a major reason!
Fall/Winter CSA - Beginning mid-September or October, enjoy at 8 weeks of fresh seasonal vegetables including, fall tomatoes, peppers, winter and summer squash, carrots, broccoli rapinni, kale, swiss chard, lettuce, collards, mustard greens, arugula, cabbage, beets, turnips, asian baby greens, radishes, sweet potatoes and a variety of herbs.
Spring CSA - Beginning March, enjoy 8 weeks of fresh seasonal vegetables including, lettuce, baby greens, radish, beets, turnips, kale, swish chard, spinach, cabbage, chinese cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, mustard greens, asian baby greens, endive and a variety of herbs. Lots of greens and some seasonal fruits!!!
Summer CSA - Beginning June, enjoy 8 weeks of fresh seasonal vegetables including tomatoes, green and yellow bell peppers, hot and mild peppers, summer squash, zuchinni, green beans, winter squash, cucumbers, eggplant, onions, okra, lettuce, canteloupe and watermelons and a variety of herbs
What does CSA mean?
CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”. While there are many different definitions, here are some that best represent what we are trying to do that we’ve “borrowed” from other places:
From <www.sustainableag.net/glossary_a-d.htm>: CSA is a nationwide movement linking local consumers and farmers into communities. Typical CSA's consist of a group of consumer shareholders that pay a sum in advance in exchange for a regular selection (weekly) of in-season crops produced by a farm.
How do I know if joining a CSA is right for me? I don't want to pay all that money and then be disappointed.
It is a fact that the CSA model is not for everybody. With respect to the a CSA, you probably ARE a good candidate if, in addition to desiring natural, locally grown, farm-fresh food, you possess one or more of the following characteristics:
- you and your family have the time to cook and like cooking and preparing meals or dishes from scratch;
- you and your family like to cook and are willing to experiment with new ingredients and recipes;
- you are okay with occasionally getting something in your share of which you aren't particularly fond
- your schedule permits you to regularly make the drop-off time and location.
You are probably NOT a good Food CSA candidate if:
- there are more than one or two vegetables and/or herbs that you and your family do not like;
- you and your family like fresh food but do not have the time to prepare it;
- you and your family do not like "surprises", i.e., to experiment with foods you have not ever eaten;
- you are not willing to be creative when your share contains something you do not like
- you know in advance that your schedule is such that you cannot regularly make the drop-off time and location.
How much does it cost?
The current Food CSA cost is $40/week for a 8 week term. That means the total cost for the term is $320. I also offer egg shares when they are available. There is a flower share available for 2012.
You may mix and match any of the share options. For instance, if your family eats a lot of produce, you can buy two Full Food Shares for $640 total. In that example, you will get two shares of food every week to meet your veggie needs. Or you can buy a food share and an egg share, which would provide you a package of produce and a dozen eggs each week. All of the eggs I sell are all true free range, all natural, farm fresh eggs.
Additionally, Cold Springs Farm offers organic honey from time to time as it is available, and if you like more of the rare melons, you can check out the website or the facebook fan page to see what’s available and order more.
How long does a subscription last?
The current subscription term is 8 weeks for spring, summer & fall. I send out renewal emails to CSA members near the end of each term.
How often do I get my CSA share?
You will receive your share weekly. Cold Springs Farm may occasionally be closed for Holidays or weather events, but we'll announce that as needed. Also, I am out of town for approximately 10 days the first week of November to decorate private homes and casinos in Missippi and Tennessee for Christmas. Cold Springs Farm is working toward year round production for the CSA. However, there are certain times of the year when crop production naturally slows down. During those times, the farm will suspend the current term. You’ll be kept up to date via email on the status of the CSA.
What will be in my CSA share?
The contents of your CSA share will vary by season, time of year, and by climate conditions at the time. The crops are all naturally grown and certified organic. I don't use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. I grow using only organic & sustainable methods. I believe in growing crops in season because they are of better quality, taste better, and allow me to properly tend the farm in a sustainable fashion.
I do plan the crops based primarily on what you tell me you like. This is part of what owning a subscription share means. Your input is balanced with what will grow well in our area.
The volume of food you receive for a food share will vary weekly in accordance with the season. With the current share size, you can expect to receive 10 different types of vegetables and herbs each week. The volume will be higher in the prime part of the season when the plants are better established than, for instance, in the beginning of the season when the plants are just beginning to produce.
I am always trying to grow new & interesting crops, and sometimes I will have crop failures, a fact of life with farming. I will, however, do my best to grow the freshest, naturally grown crops possible as outlined in the seasonal plan.
What if I do not like everything that is in my share?
Even though the crop plan is based largely on what you tell us you want, since we all have different tastes, no doubt you will get something at one time or another for which you do not care. I use a "farmer's market" format in which all the produce is set up on tables so you can see what you are getting. When you arrive at the drop, I pick the first five items in your share, & then the member picks the remaining five items. You can double up on a share if there is enough for all members to have some.
What if I want extra of something in my share?
There will generally be extras of all items that can be purchased at the drops.
When and where do I receive my share?
The CSA will be arranged to be convenient to the largest group of subscription holders. At this time, all drops are in Fort Worth at a private residence in the cultural district.
I cannot be at the CSA drop-off to buy from you or to pick up my CSA share. Is there some other time or place I can pick up my share and/or buy more products?
I will do my best to work with each CSA member whenever needed. You will not lose your share if you miss a week.
What if I need to miss a week?
THERE IS ALWAYS ONE MAKEUP WEEK AT THE END OF EVERY SESSION. If you know in advance you are going to be unable to pick up your share a certain week, for instance you are out of town that week, please let me know via email so I can plan harvest accordingly and minimize waste. In such cases, you have 3 options. You can arrange for somebody else to pick up your share, you can ask for it to be donated to the Tarrant County Foodbank or you can ask for a credit on your account to be used at the end of the subscription term or applied to the next upcoming session.
What if I don’t show up to pick up my share?
Since the crops are highly perishable, I cannot hold your share after the drop off. Please let me know via email if you are running late or can't make the drop as the produce is perishable & I hate to waste food.
Can I cancel my subscription later?
There are NO REFUNDS. The money that you pay for your share is used to grow the crops for the term for which you are subscribing.
How do I subscribe?
Notify me by email (naturallygrowngoodstuff@coldspringsfarmcsa.com) so I can send you a CSA agreement. Payment can be made on this website or from the farm FACEBOOK page.
When my subscription term ends, how do I renew it?
Prior to the end of the current subscription term, I will publish specifics for the next CSA term to my CSA subscribers. Current subscribers will be given first option to renew their subscription for the next term. Then people on the waiting list will be contacted and given the opportunity to subscribe if shares are available.
Can I purchase your produce at any other location?
The farm no longers sets up at any farmers market. The farm's produce is available only through CSA and gift boxes.
I keep hear you talk about sustainability. What does that mean?
As with the term CSA itself, this term means many different things to many people. There is no universal definition, but here is a good legal one. The basic definition is to reduce the need to bring in outside materials to the farm while taking care of the environment (soil, air, water, creatures). Examples include good soil management (cover cropping, green manures, no or low till), natural pest control (integrated pest management such as the use of bats and beneficial insects and my fingers to control the pest population, targeted organic pesticides only when necessary), and good water management (drip irrigation, use of rain water). My goal is a lofty 100% sustainability, and I am working steadily to achieve that.
Why don’t you grow my favorite veggie or herb?
I listen to you when making crop decisions! Please email your thoughts on this. I want to grow unusual, rare and heirloom varieties that aren’t available anywhere else…I want your CSA share box to be like getting a PRESENT! I want you and your family to be excited to open it every time you receive it!
Please check out the Farm Facebook Page and look at photos of the drops, etc!
Thanks to Barking Cat Farm for allowing Cold Springs Farm to use their CSA definitions. I tried to come up with a better way to define it, but their definitions are the best!
