Christmas Pie gift : artisan pizza with local ingredients

Our toppings from local farmers and artisans include

Goat Cheese;
Dutch Girl Cheese
Poplar Hedge Farm
Cabbage red 
Rt 12 Farm Stand
Garlic
Ambrosia Farms
Sundried Tomatoes
Rosemary
Sister Farm

In addition to getting a gift of pizza from us
there are items for sale:

apple hand pies,
made with apples from our own antique orchard trees
maple syrup,
goat cheese,
honey,
ducks
... shop with us!  - email for what's in stock.

Thank you for your F.A.B support
F.armers * A.rtisans * B.akers
vote with your dollars and show support for one another

Apple pocket Tart

This item is a great way to enjoy our bountiful apple harvest - a tender flaky pie crust - the filling includes apples & walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon and freshly ground nutmeg.
Made from scratch using freshly-picked northeast apples
Comes with fresh sugar glaze
Available with or without walnuts

Fall Orders

Please email us your orders for the following
Photos shown on
circlecsa.blogspot.com

_____Brickoven Pizzas, Ambrosia Farms 8.50 each
_____Apples, Windy Hill, 1.89 lb
_____Apple Cider, Windy Hill, gal 5.00, 1/2 gal 3.75
_____French Bread, Calandra's, 2.00 ea
_____Granola, UpState Harvest, 4.80
_____Chevre, soft goat cheese, Poplar Hedge Farm, 8.00 ea
_____Hard goat cheese, Dutch Girl Cheese, 4.80 ea
_____Yogurt, Plain, Simply Greek, 1.99 ea
_____Frozen Foods, 2.75 ea
_____Fresh Garlic, Ambrosia Farms, 6.00 braid
_____Maple Syrup, Wallings, 14 qt
_____Amaretti Cookies, Ambrosia Farms, 25 tub
_____Handmade Baskets, straw, 27 and up
_____Flat Wooden Crates, The Hay Store, 24 and up

Please email your choices!
Your balance of 2011 CSA shares
will continue as a Member through the Winter Months

Order NOW and GIVE some of these products as a Holiday Thanksgiving Basket
We found just the basket to fill your family and friends with wonderful gifts

Remember-
You continue to get quality small farm items

You  Help Support our Farm Families

We value your Membership

Pizza Making Sunday - October 23 2011

We invite CSA Members to our Pizza Making Sunday tomorrow - other dates will be posted in near future!  Please feel free to bring friends and family (waiver required).  Everyone will have a chance to make their own.  We supply the dough and toppings - traditional Neopolitan style.  Take some home for your freezer.

Sunday, October 23, 2011
Time:  2pm-7pm
Where: The Store and Backyard - indoor and outdoor seating.
Price:  $8.50 per pizza, $3.00 appetizer plate (roasted sausage and salad)

Also available:
Fresh Picked Herbs, Cardoon, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Yellow Squash, Celery, Scallions
Garlic
Maple Syrup
Baked Goods

while supplies last

Ambrosia Farms featured on Realtimefarms.com

Feedback - Members please email some thoughts or send a note. Thanks!

Our own Circle CSA is unique in that members choose to spend as little or as much as they want each week and make their own choices on what to take from each weeks harvest.  For example, we still have lots of potatoes and savoy cabbage that was not chosen by members.

The year was difficult weather wise because of heavy rains during and flooding, plus the early frost! Ugh...

Some things were very bountiful - like apples.  Our tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant did poorly due to my own time constraints but we got an abundance of tomatoes from our Sister Farm.  Members showed less enthusiasm for dark leafy greens, which were abundant, but did very well picking fresh lettuce.    Members tried new things like pea shoots and ground cherries.  The store worked well but will be improved in terms of climate control, organization, space and shelves. Accounting for member choices worked with the "tab" method but was time consuming to tabulate near the end.  Members consumed much less on a weekly basis than was anticipated at $20 per week.  The communication needs improvement, for example members come to the farm and request items not available that could be with some advance notice.  Due to financial constraints from low membership turnout, we are not able to provide as much as other CSA Farms, but we hope to build and improve each year.  Our prices are low most of the time but the $10 veggie basket (laundry size) was too low.  We pass along wholesale prices on many items.

Overall, we were lucky this year because our Members showed patience, enthusiasm, and a wonderful community spirit.  We hope you consider us again next year for your local farm support!

 - we may share this feedback in an article for a local paper, we may quote you only as an anonymous member - we never share private information to anyone.

Also, you may provide anonymous feedback to us - via snail mail to: 

AMBROSA FARMS

PO BOX 463

BRIDGEWATER, NY  13313

Email some feedback and answer these questions when you have time.

Did you get enough value for your money?

How did the CSA change or improve your meals?

What was memorable about your CSA Experience?

What was especially helpful for you and your family?

What would you do to improve the CSA Member experience?

What would you like grown/raised/or purchased for you that was not available through the CSA this year?

Other Comments to Share or Which may help us Improve Community Supported Agriculture in General

Frost Advisory Sept 16 2011

* IMPACTS...AREAS OF FROST WILL FORM LATE TONIGHT. THE MOST
WIDESPREAD FROST WILL BE IN THE SHELTERED VALLEYS AND THE
SOUTHERN TUG HILL PLATEAU ACROSS NORTHERN ONEIDA COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR
PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED. ALSO... POTTED PLANTS
NORMALLY LEFT OUTDOORS SHOULD BE COVERED OR BROUGHT INSIDE AWAY
FROM THE COLD.

The Floods of 2011

Floods are covering our hay field and the rains rotted the tomatoes left on the vine.

We were lucky not to sustain any home or barn damage but our hearts go out to those that lost power and possesions.  Hopefully no lives were lost.

We work together to help our neighbors in this time of crisis - remember that  hardship can be overcome with the support of other people.

NEW PLANTINGS READY - Fall

Celery

 Arugula

Radishes

Prepared Foods For Health...Save our Family Farms!

Here are some thoughts on what our Members are Helping us With.

Our Passion

I love the study of nutrition and bodily health - there are a few simple rules to follow:

drink plenty of water, check you area for a natural spring and fill your own water - here is a link
http://www.findaspring.com/

eat lots of veggies

have fruit for desert - natural sugars are better for you
- maple syrup - minerals
- honey - allergy prevention
- watermelon
- apples

EAT LIKE A HORSE!
GRAZE: don't wait until you are starving because then you blindly eat - famished

This is June Royal!

The Store is Stocked

We are loaded with tomatoes, scallions. potatoes, carrots, leeks. cabbage, garlic, summer squash, herbs, and greens!  Also, newly planted baby arugula and swiss chard...
Check the freezer for Neopolitan style pizza $8.75 and crusty french bread $2/ loaf!

-if you have a specific veggie - let us know - so we can procure it before you arrive
we work with 5 veggie farmers so one of us should have what you like!

In the meantime - we are preserving/ freezing items that are perishable - so please keep in mind that you can purchase frozen veggies and combination prepared meals in the near future, as well!

Savoy Cabbage and Potatoes!

Upick week of middle to end of August

The season is getting late and members that have not been able to get here
still need to enjoy some of the fruits of our labor.
Now is the time since August is half over.

We have put together a selection of goods available now.
Please pick up your basket available for each CSA Member that will include the following:

2 small brown bags of potatoes - fingerling and gold -$5
3 savoy cabbage                                                           $7
1 braid garlic (6)                                                           $5
1 clamshell mixed herbs                                               $2
2 quarts of tomatoes                                                     $9
1 SIMPLY GREEK yogurt                                         $2
                                                                                   $30


Substitutions are available- please choose at least $30 worth of goods now.
Your membership has no expiration date but we may prefer you use up your share by the fall.

August 17th - Finally, Ripe Tomatoes!

Tomatoes are picked daily when ripe and placed in the store.
One quart is $4.50 (this is less than $3 /lb) or $1 each tomato.

Please do not pick tomatoes or handle tomatoes.  Since they are heirloom, they are very fragile.
Thank you.

UPICK Week of August 1st

Hello Members

Come to the farm anytime if weekends are not convenient for you!

If you are unable to pick fresh - we will have frozen veggies available for you in the Winter...

Available Now
see our blog on natlnutrients to learn how to cook some of these veggies.
http://natlnutrients.blogspot.com/

onions... leeks... garlic is curing in barn... kale... wild greens... beet greens... beets...lettuce...celery

carrots...turnips...new potatoes...radishes

corn - we get this from a local farm on Rt 8 - sorry but they are not organically grown

our corn is organic but the field is very small this year

green beans...zucchini...yellow crooked neck...chinese cabbage...savoy cabbage

eggs...herbs...goat cheese...honey...granola...brick oven pizza...frittata

cookies...tye dye tshirts

Tomatoes are still green - we will let you know when they are ready to be picked!

Introducing one of our Sister Farms

This sister farm is the mirror image of Ambrosia in it's sustainable techniques  - they are beyond organic - no plastic - no gmos - no additives expect the compost, glass clippings, cover cropping, and mulch.

We are shepherds to the land, our sister farm and us, only giving for the sake of being nurturing, kind, generous, and altruistic - as most parents are to their children.  Perhaps that is what you are too - a nurturer of Ambrosia Farms, because you support our way of giving to the Earth and to creatures great and small -  to our bodies, and to our selves!

What is available for UPICK:
WEEK OF JULY 23rd

Cabbage - Sister
Cippolini Onions - Sister
Scallions, Green Onions - Ambrosia
Wild Greens - Ambrosia
Carrots - Sister
Beets - Sister
Beet Greens - Both
Cheese - Dutch Girl
Goat Yogurt  - Ambrosia Farms - NY members only tasting
Cow Yogurt - Evans Farmhouse - NY
Cow Yogurt - Brown Cow - CA
Agretti - Ambrosia
Lettuce - Ambrosia
Zucchini - Sister
Yellow Crooked Neck - Ambrosia
Squash Blossoms - Ambrosia
Herbs - Both

Available in Store
Blueberries - UPICK Bacchus Rd
Pie - Blueberry
Maple Syrup - Wallings
Pizza - Ambrosia
Cookies - by Cousin
Grass Fed Meats
Turkey
Duck - Ambrosia

Greens and Beans

Love to cook these wild greens with beans - you get a complete meal - add a tomato based soup stock, a curry, or a simple olive oil and garlic - and you'll have the most nutrition on the planet! Come pick a bucket for yourself and explore the endless meal varieties for yourself and your family!  A prewashed bucket like this one shown is 4.25.  UPICK and it is only 3.50.

As a CSA member - Upick up to $10 in value in veggies per week.  Other items in the storer right now are turnips. baby - lettuces galore UPICK, scallions, radishes, cabbage, zucchini flowers, summer squash, maple syrup, dairy, soap, t shirts, pea shoots upick, herbs including cilantro and dill, oregano, mint, sage.

Harvest Highlights - July 7th

Chinese Cabbage - green jewel - from our Sister Farm - in the store now fresh picked!
Here are some recipes

Kimchi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dj3OUVx3Ts

Italian Style
http://prouditaliancook.blogspot.com/2009/12/savoy-cabbage-sauteed-and-stuffed.html

Soup
http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2010/04/chinese-napa-cabbage-soup-cooked-with.html

twice cooked pork
http://chinesecooking.blogspot.com/2007/07/twice-cooked-pork.html

stuffed
http://recipespicbypic.blogspot.com/2009/01/pork-stuffed-cabbage-rolls.html

Also in the Store this Week

TieDye Tshirts by Anne
Granola by Harvest
Cumin Goat Cheese by Dutch Girl
Pizza by Ambrosia Farms
Lettuces by Ambrosia Farms
Mixed Mesclun by Ambrosia Farms
Taste Goats Milk by Ambrosia Farms
Fresh Baked Goods by Cafe Canole
Dairy by Evans Farmhouse
Maple Syrup by Wallings
Yogurt
Golden Glow Soap
Confetti Cookies by Cousin

The Fair in Brookfield is happening this weekend too
Also Foraging for Greens - Lots to DO...

Dutch Girl Cheese featured on Realtimefarms.com

Foraging for Food - Friday, Saturday, Sunday morning!

We are calling all members - now is the time to eat these nutrient rich foods!

Join us this weekend to harvest loads of wild greens for freezing - participate in the cleaning, cooking and freezing process.


Also available in the freezer  5.50 medium sized clamshell cooked and ready to eat!!!

Many people live long healthy lives with dark leafy greens as a diet staple - once you've learned to cook them right - you'll start craving them!

Also, pizzas in the freezer  $8.75 for Members, $9-12 non members - see price list in store

Confetti Cookies by Cucina

Made with goodness - these cookies are lots of fun for kids and grown ups alike!
Better than store bought - please see are freezer for packages


by the "baker's" dozen   $5.25 

or 4 for $2.00

Pizza Night

All Members are invited to Pizza Night on Saturday night - July 2nd - or pick up pies of your choice on Sunday in the store - only pay for pies you eat or choose!!!!  Pies are $8.75 for members.  Pay cash or deduct from your $220 membership value

Please email me if there is something specific you would like on your pizza - we make custom pies - we generally have the following to choose from - our pies are traditional Neopolitan brick oven pizzas.

mozzarella - fresh only
cumin goat cheese
pecorino cheese

pepperoni
sausage
prosciutto

basil
oregano

greens - arugula, mustard, spinach and beet greens
black olives
cherry tomatoes - not ours yet...wait until August
onion
garlic

Strawberries on In the Store!

we picked them fresh at Tassleberry Farms

http://tassleberry.com/

Price List - June 15th

This price list represents the value you are receiving at the farm.  Non member prices are based on farmers market prices and member prices are discounted from there.  Choose what you want and list it on a tab in the store - we keep the white copy - take the yellow for your records.  You may like to pay cash for something and help defray costs of stocking the store -  if you pay cash - fill out a seperate tab and note it on the tab.  You are not required to pay anything more until you use up your $220 value.

Later in the season we will be harvesting more and more - so keep that in mind.  We like feedback, are negotiable on all prices - as well as giving you "comp" items along the way - we are hoping you become a long standing member.  Each repeat member is given increasing value each year.

WE ARE 100% ORGANIC, SUSTAINABLE AND ALL NATURAL
                     non member price/member price
                    WE DO NOT USE PLASTIC

3.50/2.50 - Farm Fresh Eggs

Pre Washed Lettuce
4.75/3.75 - Bowl
2.00/1.75 - Lunch Plate
2.75/2.25 - Clamshell

UPICK Lettuce
NA/3.00 - Bowl

2.50/2.00 - Scallions - 7 per bunch

Brick Oven Pizza         SOLD OUT
9.75/8.75 - 12 in pie
19.50/17.50 - packaged 2 pies to a box

2.50/2.00 - Scapes - 10 per bunch/bag

3.50/3.00 - Wild Greens - Bowl - including mustard, lambs quarters, nettles

Other Farmers, Artisans, and Bakers
Baked Goods priced as shown
Cheese priced as shown
Strawberries fresh picked 4.75/qt while supplies last

RAIN DATES

If we have weekend wash outs - like this weekend

- rain dates are Tues and Wed 

9:30am-1pm

3pm-6pm

- salads are ready - 

I will show you the fields, washing station, and administrative stuff like the waiver to be signed, etc

UPICKers Stomp on Agretti!

These were not labeled properly -  I'm sure everyone thought these were grass - but at $5 a packet of seed - it's expensive - so I am labeling it today so it does not get stomped on again!  It's a learning curve and alittle humerous - don't worry.


"arba dei frati (friars' beard), also known as agretti, is a wild, grass-like spring vegetable grown in northern Italy. Slightly acidic and bitter when raw, they are tossed into salads. When cooked, they taste very much like spinach. looks like gourmet grass" 


Dark leafy greens are very nutritious and one of the most nutritious foods you can eat - even most of the weeds - are really edible dark leafy greens such as wild mustard, sting nettles, mustard - to name a few.   Please enjoy the greens when UPICK and tread lightly!  You may be stepping on real food!

Recommended Farm Hours U pick

Hi Members - these are recommended hours -  I will show you the fields and washing station and you can sign the waiver and get a shopping list.  If you prefer other days or times - please let me know - we are very flexible.  If you need a delivery - I will coordinate that too!

Sat, Sun, Mon

9:30am until 3pm

Rainy spring to date.

"Officials with the local Farm Service Agency expect the state will declare much of upstate New York a disaster, following three months of very wet weather. The steady rains have prevented farmers from getting all of their crops planted."


There was a threat of frost after Memorial Day Weekend this year - most unusual - just escaped it - 34 degrees!


Our planting has been slowed in the beginning but we are moving ahead - 630 feet rows of tomatoes planted so far with lots of varieties and more planting to follow!


As a CSA member you share crop losses with farmers - but I think we are going to have a good season despite the delayed start.

Membership Waiver

As farmers, we are seeking to preserve land and agriculture and as members, you agree to help us with unconditional support,  which includes, but is not limited to, accepting crop losses and all liability for participation in any and all activities at the farm.

There are waivers to sign before you can walk the fields and pick.  The waivers state that you, as a member, hold harmless the farm and it's owners for any food poisoning and injuries while on the land and properties.  

"I waive all claims against the farm, the farmers, the owners, employees, and agents that the owner might hereafter assert for damages or loss, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence.  I  understand that some of the food is not FDA or Ag and Markets.  I have read this Agreement, Fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it and have signed it freely and without any inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and affect.


As a CSA Member - you may ask for a refund if you are unwilling to sign this waiver before you begin UPICK.  

UPICK: 1

"June 02, 2011, 4:06PM

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for parts of Central New York from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday. The frost could damage sensitive plants and crops."

We covered the tomato plants which were not planted yet - luckily - and picked baby lettuce.

UPICK: 1

List of what is available for UPICK CSA MEMBERS Weekend Sat, Sun, and Mon (6/4th,5th,6th)

This weekend you can pick up /UPICK the following:

1. prewashed bowl of baby mixed lettuce 
2. foraged wild greens such as nettles, mustard, mint, and lambs quarters - see more on utube and "wildman steve brill" and "eat the weeds"!
3. scallions
4. pea shoots and tendrils
5. brick oven pizza
6. local baked goods
7. maple syrup
8. "dutch girl" cheese
9. farm fresh eggs

We will also have your shopping lists to keep track of your selections.

2011 Heirloom Tomato Varieties Custom Grown

Our tomato plants are ready to be planted this week! CSA members will benefit from lots of great red and purple types - mouthwatering sunbursts of flavor in no time! Each member can pick ripe tomatoes beginning around July - harvest is limited to a smaller basket (but still generous) once per week.

We are also selling some of our custom grown tomato plants until June 7th.
The price per plant is .65 - Each order is 16 plants - while supplies last.
Offer open until June 7. Pick up in Utica NH area - email your order.

maximum from this group = 5 of any variety
cuor di bue
pantano romanesco
san marzano
striped roman
cherokee purple

maximum from this group = 1 of any variety
delicious
hazelfield
moneymaker
beauty queem
rei dos
morado
mama leone
black early
black oxheart
black giant
black pear
igneli gigante
illini star
orange purple smudge
vorlon

Custom Greenhouse Plants and UUVA Annual Plant Sale

Almost a decade ago, I approached Russ and Anita of Sirkos Greenhouse to grow our H E I R L O O M - tomatoes and other veggies for us in their greenhouses.  They were generous enough to dedicate a whole greenhouse for our farm

 - and to this day we are still working together!  It is great to see a small scale greenhouse - hands on family working together - and be able to purchase such vibrant plants to kick off our season.  Our first pick up was over 600 plants...with many more over the next few days.  We need to "harden" them off before they can be planted in the fields.  By working together -we support the local economy and essentially help create a village like the one featured in Vermont.  They have added a great store with seeds for sale - soon they will carry heirloom seeds from Baker Creek, we hope.  Best Wishes for continued success.  Thank you members of the Upper Unadilla Valley Assoc. for helping to preserve this beautiful valley and all of it's beauty, natural habitat, and wildlife - as today is their annual plant sale.  And thank you members for supporting small scale farmers, artisans and bakers!

http://www.uuva.org/
http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20110513-142034

Ramps are In - Goats are Out!

Happy Spring!
Ramps are picked with a limit per member of 2 bunches (quantity same as shown here!) cleaned and ready for one more washing when you get them home.  Quantity is limited.  I roasted them and ate with Pasta e Olio.  Please contact me to reserve your bunches - if you want some - I am delivering these since that is the only item available right now.

Drop off point.
For members in Utica/NH area, we need a drop off point - a store with refrigeration would be best - for those rare occasions you need a delivery.  I will try and find one but any member who has a suggestion - please let me know.

Our goats are out in their newly fenced pasture, 

covered with a variety of good eatings - the wild roses, thorn apple, the more thicket the more they like it, with some grass here and there.  Lots of varied terrain so they don't get bored and best of all - rocks to climb!  Here's the happy HERD!!  

Make sure to look for them near the store when you visit on Sat, Sun, or Mon after Memorial Day weekend - the start of our weekly CSA -  the store will be stocked and more greens are foraged...

UPICK - HARVEST DAYS

 - harvest days will generally be held on SAT, SUN, & MON - we are doing this so we can be available and minimize traffic -if you need a harvest day not shown here - please let us know in advance- we will try and work with your schedule as best we can

 

PLANTING BUSY'NESS

News about the CSA will  be posted and sent via email as a link to the blog - so when you get this link - you know we have entered a blog post!

We are busy planting - it is that time of year - here are some of the photos from what we have been doing:

the list of what we planted so far is here:

garlic - overwintered
scallions
escarole
peas
fava beans
summer squash
- zucchini - many varieties from Italy
- yellow - crooked neck
kale
corn
herb patch -below

Gene is busy making fenced pasture for the goat herd we are building with  kids born so far and more on the way!

we make the soil from composted manure, peat moss, sand, and our own muck soil lifted by these additions.  organic, natural, no plastic - Yea!

This is only the beginning - every day - with the sun - there is  more going in - so heres to the sun!!!

Thanks to all who Signed Up at our Open House - It was so fruitful we are having another one for Last Minute Members!

OPEN FARM DAY

C i r c l e CSA- April 10th, 9am-3pm

last chance to sign up to our a Multi Farm CSA

we will have muffins, coffee, tea, and other brunch items to sample!

We'll answer any questions you have about our CSA, to learn more and Join us!

C i r c l e CSA and Custom Woodwork

 As  a member, you'll receive so many cost savings - we hope you join us.   Many members have asked "How do you make money?" Answer, "We don't - if we cover costs to save this land and open space for future generations, we are lucky."  We saved an expansive panorama in our scenic river valley- most of it preserved for natural habitat.  Our horses, goats, and chickens provide composted manure for the fields that we work - sustainable agriculture preserves our ecosystems - wildlife preservation and dedicated areas untouched by humans - preserved forests and orchards.  Nina has planted only heirloom vegetables tirelessly for 22 years.  Gene is a 30 year carpenter now customizing work to order!  Our hay is the best - ask any animal!  Call or email us to join our CSA - you'll also receive discounts on custom woodwork like these great outdoor showers.

Fill a Smaller Basket with Italian Specialty Vegetables

We will offer a smaller sized basket for our custom Italian vegetables - these can not be offered in your typical laundry sized basket but you will get a generous supply within reason.  There will be certain items you can't pick directly from our fields - like the garlic. It is picked and hung to dry in July - once it is ready for sale - we will apportion member sized baskets available in the store to deduct from your share.  Hardneck garlic retails for $1.30 at garlic festivals and stores - members will pay 40% less.  Tomatoes and Peppers - these are all heirloom varieties which sell for $4/lb retail - they must be picked at the right stage of ripeness - we'll offer a generous supply in a smaller sized basket.  Members will receive instruction on how to pick and handle these items correctly - and are welcome to pick directly from the fields within reason - so that all members get a share of these items.

Frequently Asked Questions - Part IV

Do we pay the membership fee and then have additional costs for the items that we want to purchase?  

NO additional fees! you pay upfront and get back $220 value, at least

How and when do we let you know what we want to purchase?

select online or on farm - upick as often or as little as you want - weekly, monthly, quarterly - there is no expiration date on your share - you may want more frozen items for the winter - its entirely up to you

Your email says the for the $195 membership fee we will receive $220 in value. 

you pay upfront and get back $220 value, at least

But then it lists prices for vegetables.  

we have baskets $10 (laundry basket) $4 (smaller basket) which we get from the dollar store - you fill them and this price is subtracted from your share

$220 value per share

-10 basket week of June 15th

--------

$210 balance
not only are you getting more for your money in price but our $10 basket is worth more like $20 in the supermarket


Can we pick out what we want?/ What do we actually receive for the membership fee?
lots of organic produce and artisan products
once you join - you'll receive a shopping list to track your choices - see our blog for more information or visit us on


March 26th - "Maple Syrup Weekend" CSA open house
we are just 2 miles from Ben & Judy's Sugarhouse
look for signs on Rt 8 "U-PICK CSA Open House"
meet in person, visit the farm and animals, refreshments served
learn more about our C i r c l e CSA , member benefits, and sustainable agriculture!

Frequently Asked Questions - Part III

What portion of the farm's budget and how do membership fees benefit the farm?

CSAs are designed to help farmers jump start the season - by getting funds up front!  Right now here is a sample of what we are paying for - seeds($300), specially grown heirloom tomato plants($700), additions to hoop house($400), peat moss($120), field labor(1,200), compost(from our horses, goats and chickens), products from other farmers to stock the farm store($various) - this all adds us to alot of cost just one month.  As our membership grows, so does the cost.  Anything left over is considered income to our farm.  Income from other sources includes our pony rides, agritourism, frozen foods, and hay sales for goats and horses.  All of our income is put back into the farm to cover the cost of equipment, land taxes, feed and care for our animals, fuel, electric, and labor (ours is donated) - all to preserve this open space for future generations.  There is no profit in farming - if we had the funds we'd start a non profit because that is what we are!  We are grateful for the life we have chosen because it is rich in ways beyond monetary - nature, animals, nutrients, children outdoors having fun, and members that become friends.

What are some of the member benefits?

As a member, you have a real interest in the farm - including helping to preserve the land and ecosystems.  You have input and can request something be grown specially for you if we don't grow it already.  And because you pay upfront - you reap the rewards of  a more fruitful and bountiful harvest!  Many more benefits are listed here:

• If you are unable to come to the farm - we can deliver at no extra charge
• when you join you will get a shopping list to keep track of your choices
• your membership is only $195 but you get back $220 in value
• there is BIG savings on our fresh veggies - a $10 veggie basket is the size of a laundry basket!  Choose a smaller $4 basket also.
• Also, choose so many other great food items from local farmers and artisans - cheese, bread, pizza, eggs, honey, syrup, yogurt...the list goes on!
• communicate your choices by picking in our fields, via email or my cell phone for members
• your freezer will be stocked with great prepared veggies, meals, and pizza for the winter months!

How do we Join?

Send in your contact info with check payable to Progressive Advisors by March 31st!