 |
| Radishes are a staple in early-season shares. |
In a CSA, you become a "shareholder" in the farm, buying in during the Winter and then reaping the rewards throughout the summer as you pick up your package, or "share" of fresh veggies every week. A full share will feed a family of 3-4, or a couple who eat a lot of vegetables.
Here's a quick look at what you can expect when you sign up for the Prairie Heritage Farm vegetable Community Supported Agriculture program:
- A package of freshly harvested vegetables each week for 18-20 weeks;
- Eating healthy and in season;
- Knowing where your food comes from;
- Supporting local farmers;
- Being part of reviving a sustainable, local food system.
Full shareholders pick up every week. Half shareholders pick up every other week.
This year, we're extending the season to 18-20 weeks, we'll be planting an even bigger variety of vegetables, and we aim to offer larger quantities in our shares as well.
In 2012, we're only offering one price (no sliding scale like last year). But, we are offering a $50 early bird discount if you pay for the entire season up front before February 29.
Full shares are $500 (or $450 for early birds) and half shares are $275.
Communities
We have pick ups in Conrad, Choteau, Great Falls and Helena (we are only able to offer half shares -- every other week -- in Helena).
If you'd like to help organize a pick up in your Central Montana community, we'd be more than happy to get veggies to where you live (Cut Bank, Fairfield, Power, Dutton -- just some possibilities)!
Organizers would be in charge of picking up the packages in Conrad and setting up a pick up in their community. We offer discounts for organizers. Please contact us if you're interested in learning more. Courtney is at 406-531-4794.
Price and Payment
For full shares, there are two options for payment:
-Pay the $500, in two payments of $250 each, one now and one in August.
-Get a $50 early bird discount if you sign up between now and February 29 and pay in full. So, the total to be paid in full is $450.
A half share is $275, all of which is due now.
We prefer payment by check (please enclose the sign up form below and send to P.O. Box 914, Conrad, MT 59425), but if you find it more convenient, you can also pay online with a credit card. The slightly higher prices reflect a portion of the fees PayPal charges to use their service.
Sign Up Deadline
We ask that your first payment reach us by February 29 in order to reserve your membership (2011 shareholders have first priority).
We ask that your first payment reach us by February 29 in order to reserve your membership (2011 shareholders have first priority).
More About Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture, commonly referred to as CSA, is a unique arrangement between a farmer and customers. Customers buy shares in the farm’s crops, usually at the beginning of the season and in exchange, they receive goods throughout the growing season. By receiving money before the season begins, the farmer has much needed operating capital to buy seeds and other start-up inputs. In this arrangement, the customer shares in the benefits as well as in the risks of the farm. That means if we get a late frost that kills our tomatoes, you may not get tomatoes in your share. But, if we have a great tomato year, everyone is making salsa. A CSA allows you to become more closely connected to where your food comes from, and by supporting a local farm, you are also supporting the local economy and supporting a local family and their work on the land.
More On What to Expect With Your Vegetable CSA
Each week, you'll pick up a package of organic vegetables – whatever is ripe and ready for harvest that week. The CSA will run roughly from June to October, and you'll receive shares for a minimum of 18 weeks. Your first CSA share is likely to include early-season crops like spinach, radishes, peas, kale and like. By July, your fridge and pantry will be brimming with tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, greens, beets, summer squash, cucumbers and fresh herbs. Part of the beauty of the CSA is you will truly be eating in season.
Community Supported Agriculture, commonly referred to as CSA, is a unique arrangement between a farmer and customers. Customers buy shares in the farm’s crops, usually at the beginning of the season and in exchange, they receive goods throughout the growing season. By receiving money before the season begins, the farmer has much needed operating capital to buy seeds and other start-up inputs. In this arrangement, the customer shares in the benefits as well as in the risks of the farm. That means if we get a late frost that kills our tomatoes, you may not get tomatoes in your share. But, if we have a great tomato year, everyone is making salsa. A CSA allows you to become more closely connected to where your food comes from, and by supporting a local farm, you are also supporting the local economy and supporting a local family and their work on the land.
More On What to Expect With Your Vegetable CSA
Each week, you'll pick up a package of organic vegetables – whatever is ripe and ready for harvest that week. The CSA will run roughly from June to October, and you'll receive shares for a minimum of 18 weeks. Your first CSA share is likely to include early-season crops like spinach, radishes, peas, kale and like. By July, your fridge and pantry will be brimming with tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, greens, beets, summer squash, cucumbers and fresh herbs. Part of the beauty of the CSA is you will truly be eating in season.
Here's what is on our 2012 seed list, just to give you an idea:
Lettuces, radishes, arugula, spring mix, sugar snap peas, beets, carrots, potatoes, turnips, pole beans, bush beans, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, fennel, kale, chard, bok choy, winter squash, pumpkins, sage, parsley, thyme, basil and cilantro.
Our primary means of communication, in particular with our weekly newsletter, will be by way of email and our website, so please share with us your email address.
Pick Up
Conrad-area customers will pick up their shares at our house in Conrad on Tuesday evenings. Great-Falls area customers will pick up in Great Falls at Gibson Park, likely on Thursday evenings. Choteau-area customers will again pick up at Mountain Front Market at a to-be-determined time.
Conrad-area customers will pick up their shares at our house in Conrad on Tuesday evenings. Great-Falls area customers will pick up in Great Falls at Gibson Park, likely on Thursday evenings. Choteau-area customers will again pick up at Mountain Front Market at a to-be-determined time.
Note: If there are weeks you are not able to pick up your CSA share, it is your responsibility to arrange for someone else to pick it up for you or you can request that we donate your share.
Another note: We are expanding again this year, so please spread the word to fellow vegetable lovers!
About Prairie Heritage Farm
We are so thankful for your support and we look forward to serving you healthy, organic food again this summer. Here's to Spring!
Warmly,
Jacob and Courtney Cowgill
Do not hesitate to call or email with questions. We'd love to hear from you.
E-mail: farmer@prairieheritagefarm.com
Jacob at 406-396-1261 or Courtney at 406-531-4794
Please print out and cut off the following signup stub and send with your first payment to:
Prairie Heritage Farm
Box 914, Conrad, MT 59425
Name: _________________________ Vegetable CSA
Address: _______________________ Sign me up for a full share
______________________________ I'm an early bird and have enclosed $450 Email: _________________________ I'd like to split payments & have enclosed the $250 1st payment Phone: _________________________ I would like a half share ($275 is enclosed) Cell phone: _____________________ |
