CSA Program

Why eat local? Because when you eat locally grown food you …

•Eat fresh, nutritious vegetables. The average “fresh” vegetables at the grocery stores have traveled over 1500 miles to get there, losing taste and nutrients all along the way.

•On a small organic farm, the focus is on promoting great soil health to produce delicious veggies, not on mass quantities, so the product tastes better and are actually is more nutritious for you.

•Keep your money in the local economy: money spent at your local farm stays right here in the community.

•Eat more interesting food! Since your veggies from us don’t have to travel to get to you, we can choose varieties based on flavor (such as heirlooms), rather than the ability to be packaged and shipped.

•Eat safe food. Local vegetables have been planted, harvested, washed and delivered by farmers you

can meet, in conditions you can see for yourself if you choose.

Knowing who grows your food is an awesome thing — it allows you to ask questions, and to

make your own choices about how the food you purchase is grown.

Know your farmer, know your food!

The Farmers’ Eight Daughters Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is your opportunity

to receive farm-fresh, delicious, organic vegetables at a great value, and without having to

“go shopping” for them. When you become a CSA member (by buying a ’share’ in our farm for the

season) we become your direct source for food, and you become the reason we grow it.

How does it work?

When you purchase a CSA share, you help support our farm, usually by paying up front for your veggies in the spring. That helps us pay for seed and cover the expenses of starting up the gardens for the season. In return, you get a weekly selection of all that is available on the farm. This means you are eating the freshest, most delicious seasonal, organic veggies possible.

Members receive an online weekly newsletter full of info. of what’s in the bag, as well as news from the farm, and sometimes recipes using the ingredients. This is done in the form of a blog, or you can choose to have it emailed to you. We even welcome members to come to the farm for visits, or to volunteer in the gardens if they would like.

Members, for an additional cost, can receive a weekly share of fresh baked breads, baked goods. We will also offer a Thanksgiving share for late November, complete with all the traditional vegetables, a farm raised turkey, and even homemade stuffing mix. Ask for details about these opportunities.

How long does it last?

For the 2011 season, we should begin harvesting in the beginning of June. We will contact you when we are closer to our start week. The CSA will run for about 16 –18 weeks, again, depending on the season. It will not be less than 16 weeks and will probably not be longer than 18. The week of July 2 we will be taking off because of a family wedding. This will not affect your total weeks.

How will I get my share?

Currently, our only method is for you to pick up at our farm stand in New Gloucester. Our pick up day this year will be Fridays after 5:00 PM into Saturday.

How much does it cost?

The CSA can be ordered two different ways. A large share is intended to provide a weeks worth of veggies for a family of 4-6, while a medium share is typically more than enough for a family of 2. These are the only two sizes we will offer.

For 2011, a large share will run $600, while the medium share is $450.

How do I pay?

For 2011 we have two payment options:

1) Pay in full (cash/check) by May 1st, and receive a 5% discount.

2) Installment plan. If you would like to pay in installments, please let us know, and we can set up an arrangement with you.

How and when can I sign up for the coming season?

Sign-up has begun for the 2011 season. We are still a young CSA (3 years!) so will be setting a limit to how many customers we take; therefore, first come, first served. We hope to grow in size each year, so if you miss your chance this year, try again next!

What kinds of vegetables can I expect?

When you are a CSA member, you share in both the risks and the bounty of the farm. For example, if you love tomatoes, and it is a great year for them, you might receive them for a number of weeks in a row. If it is a tough year for them, though, (due to weather, pests, etc.) you might only get to enjoy them once that season.

We work very hard at growing a wide variety of veggies. Typical things we grow for our CSA members are Mesclun Mix, Spinach, Bok Choy, Arugula, Lettuce Heads, Radishes, Beet Greens, Kale, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Cabbage, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, Peppers, Summer Squash, Zucchini, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Tomatoes Cucumber, Squash, Kohlrabi, Fennel, Garlic, Herbs, Scallions, Onions, Shallots, and more!

We make all bags the same, with what is available each week, and can not cater the baskets to personal likes/dislikes.

Call or email with questions! If slots are available, we will send you an official form to fill out.