how our csa works?

This is a summary of how our 2012 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program works. We are always looking for suggestions and input from shareholders as this is YOUR CSA and it needs to work for you.

A CSA is a partnership between the farmer and the shareholder where the shareholder commits to purchasing a box of produce each week throughout the season and the farmer commits to growing a diversity of produce throughout the season. We normally try to deliver 8 or more different varieties each week throughout the season. When purchasing the share for the season, the shareholder must choose either the family or small share. Occasionally we may experience a crop failure where we are unable to deliver what is promised. (You are sharing the risk with the farmer.) However, if we have a surplus of vegetables, we can provide you with extras so you may share with friends or make preserves for the winter. Our share is priced somewhere between wholesale and retail for organic produce. NOTE: Our spring shares are smaller than summer/fall shares so please take this into consideration when establishing your food budget.

	We offer two different share sizes and the opportunity for you to participate in our extended season which includes 2 additional weeks in November. Click Here for the share pricing and payment options.
	WE APPRECIATE those who are able to pay annually because that helps with our season start-up expenses for seeds, fertilizers, soil mix and labor! To secure your share for the season we will need your payment by March 15th with the completed agreement form accessed by clicking here. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to make arrangements for a differnt payment plan other than those we are offering.
	IMPORTANT for those SPLITTING shares: The share should be purchased by one person all checks written should be written by the person purchasing the share.
	We will only deliver produce that is in season as we only sell what we grow. Eating seasonally is a quite an adjustment for many people because not all varieties of vegetables are available each week during the summer — such as tomatoes during early spring or kale mid summer.
	We will deliver your box of produce weekly. Our delivery will be Wednesday 8 — 10 AM at Haywood's Historic Farmers Market and Saturday from 10 — 12 AM at the North Asheville Tailgate Market. If your circumstances do not allow you to pick as planned, please contact us to discuss an alternative drop off location. Spring Creek residents will pick up at the farm from 2 — 6 PM either Wednesday or Saturday.
	Each week your box will include a packing slip that is emailed to you and lists the items delivered, a weekly recipe and a little write-up about what is happening on the farm. You may visit our blog throughout the season for information on varieties coming in season, what has been happening on the farm, and issues related to farming. We also have a recipe exchange between shareholders to aid in food preparation for the unusual or abundant vegetables.
	If you will be unable to pick up your box because of vacations or out of town business, please make arrangements to have someone pick up your box. We understand that emergencies occur on pick-up day and in that case if you will contact us at 828-707-1254 (cell phone at the pick-up site) or 828-622-3654 (phone at the farm) we will do our best to make arrangements to drop your box at a location where you can pick it up later.
	We understand that people have preferences for certain items and we will try to accommodate substitutions, however, the supply of some items might make it necessary to occasionally limit the amount that can be exchanged.
	Based on the number of renewing customers, we have a limited number of shares available. To secure a share, please take a few minutes to fill out the Annual Commitment Form, and return it via the postal service. All available shares are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.