Shiloh Run Farm 2020 CSA Users Guide
Before Signing up or contacting us with questions read this CSA Users Guide to thoroughly understand OUR program.
What is Shiloh Run Farm CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a mutually beneficial relationship between our local farm and the community of people who receive the food the farm produces.
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We are no longer going to ask for money upfront and forcing you to come on Tuesdays between 3:30 – 6:30. Rather, we will be having a farm stand that will be available most afternoons and evenings from May to October. If you tell me you’re coming and you want specific vegetables, we can reserve what you need at a time of your convenience. If you would rather, you can just stop by the stand and see what's available. We are having an honor system box as well. If for whatever reason, we are not available, you can simply take what you need and pay me when you can. We also know that many of us don’t carry cash around anymore. Therefore, we’re also setting up an online account that you can add money to when you want and you can take vegetables whenever you want.
This is the second year of our Farm Stand and Online Ordering system. Many people enjoyed this method and we would like to continue and improve. We want to continue giving you the opportunity of ordering the quantity and type of vegetables you want.
We still are members of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, therefore will be abiding by all the organic growing practices.
It’s too early to know when the farm stand will open, but we’re shooting for the third week of May.
If you have any questions feel free to text, call or email us.
Thanks again for supporting local agriculture and hope to see you soon.
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Why is this important?
With only 2% of Americans actually producing food for the other 98%, people are increasingly separated from the source of their food. Community Supported Agriculture is a response to this issue. It is a model that emphasizes locally grown, which promotes a local economy, and a safe food system. Participation in a CSA leads to a deeper understanding of our interdependence on one another and the land. The farm supplies nutritious & delicious chemical-free food, as well as an opportunity for a community to come together, reconnect with the seasons of local food, and help preserve open space as working farms.
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What Products Can I Expect?
We are a producer only CSA. This means we do not bring produce in from other farms. We are a vegetable farm only. We do not grow tree fruit. Your shares will be vegetable heavy. This should be your general interest. See more details below.
We grow many varieties of vegetables each year so you can expect to see many of your favorites along with some new items. The spring and fall offer a variety of greens and roots, while the summer sees more meaty crops, like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cantaloupes, cucumbers, etc. However, there are many variables out of our control and crop failures do occur; so we can't guarantee you any specific veggies, yet we guarantee you a good value in your share each week. We aim high, but every year is different in terms of weather, bugs, disease, and we always have the variables of unpredictable events in our fields. Being a part of a CSA means accepting these risks along side the farmer.
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Basic Share Expectations but not limited to
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Late Spring/ Early Summer:
Arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, garlic scapes, green garlic, kale, lettuce, napa cabbage, snow peas, scallions, parsley, red & green cabbages, chives, sugar snap peas, summer squash, swiss chard, radish mustard greens
Mid-Summer:
Beans, beets, cherry & specialty tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, eggplant, garlic, bell peppers, hot peppers, lettuce, cantaloupe, specialty melons, red - yellow - white onions, summer squash, swiss chard, tomatoes
Late Summer/Fall:
Arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, hot peppers, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, onions, peppers, scallions, summer squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, turnips, radish, winter squash, spinach
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Do you grow with organic practices?
Yes, but we are not certified organic, however we do belong to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut. Our crops are grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms. We use compost, cover crops, mulching and crop rotation to encourage healthy soil and plants and to build long term fertility. We believe a healthy body is inseparable from a healthy soil.
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