Mulberry Creek Farm CSA

FAQ

General

Are you organic?

While we use organic practices, we are not certified organic. There are a number of conventional farms upwind and/or up-watershed and we "benefit" from their chemicals from time to time. However, we use organic fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides and keep our produce and products as chemical free as we possibly can.
Will you hire me to work on your farm?

As much as we need workers, we are not in the position to hire anyone for salary.
What is Community Supported Agriculture?

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

Typically, members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as the satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.

By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.

In our opinion, a true CSA is a destination market - the customer comes to the farm and has a working knowledge of the farm, often participating in the work to varying degrees. The 'C' is important - community. It cannot be a community if the citizens of that community never come into contact with one another or the farm/farmers. Because we live in a consumer driven society, we at Mulberry Creek Farm CSA do offer a couple drop-off locations in addition to the farm but we encourage all shareholders to visit the farm from time to time to see their produce in its natural habitat.
Why Heritage and Heirloom?

What's the big deal? Why not continue to purchase my fresh fruit and vegetables from the local grocery chain? It's fresh. Why not continue to buy plump juicy birds with pop-up "done-o-meters" in them?

As quoted by from Sustainable Table, "Within the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and there are currently 1,500 others at risk of becoming extinct. In the past five years alone, 60 breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry have become extinct. This is a bad thing!

Why does this matter? Aside from biodiversity, we're also very concerned about the health of our potential food. We have come to believe that many of the hybrid varieties have had the good qualities hybrided right out of them. Store tomatoes that taste and feel like styrofoam probably have the nutritional value of same. Heirloom variety vegetables have distinct flavors. In fact, we think they just plain old taste a lot better and we're willing to put up with fruit that bruises easier and doesn't keep as long for the benefit we receive.

Then there's the whole factory issue. Personally, we don't care to eat vegetables and fruit drenched in chemical or meat pumped full of antibiotics and who knows what. Call us crazy, but we believe that meat and other animal products (such as eggs, milk, cheese, etc) are positively impacted when the animal is allowed to live in a healthy atmosphere free to fresh air, sunshine and grass.

We think there's a whole lot more to safe, healthy food than pasting "organic" on it.

Garden: Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs, Flowers

How much is in a weekly basket?

We expect to provide 8-12 varieties of fresh vegetables and/or fruits each week - enough to provide side dishes for a family of four for one week. Each week will be different but everyone gets similar items.
How much is my weekly basket worth?

We don't calculate basket value per week. In the nature of a CSA, some weeks your basket will contain items of greater worth than others. Over the course of the season we believe you'll be satisfied that you received more than your money's worth.
What if I don't want something? Do I have to take it?

The short answer is, no, you don't have to take it. If you receive something in your basket that you know you won't use, for whatever reason, please don't just throw it away.
However, if it's just something you've never had, try it. If you don't know what to do with it or how to prepare it, ask. If you won't eat it, please pass it on to someone else. If you absolutely know you won't use something and don't know anyone who will, we'd rather you not take something than have it get tossed out.
We generally donate what doesn't get picked up. (Admittedly, sometimes we eat it!)
What if I want more of something?

Whether you're having a party, preserving, or just like something alot, you may want more. Just call ahead and let us know. Whenever there is an abundance of anything, we will have it available for sale. In fact, if you arrange to come out and harvest it yourself (subject to approval) you may get a discount.

If you know you'll want thus-and-so pounds or this or bushels of that, let us know early in the season. We do plant some crops with preservation in mind.
How much does a garden share cost and when do I have to pay?

The Summer Garden Share comes in two sizes.
The Full or Family share is $500 for the season.
The Half or Couple share is $250 for the season.
A discount is avilable for orders paid in full by a certain date.
Installment payment plans are available, but at least a 1/3 deposit must be made at the time of order.
Details are on our Garden page.

The Winter Garden share is available in November, December and sometimes January (depending on availability) and costs $60 per month. Payment for at least one month must be made at the time of order, or no later than one month before the desired date.
Complete details are on our Garden page.