Is a CSA Farm Share Right for You?

This column appeared in the February 4, 2014 Harvest Watch, a weekly feature of the Rutland Herald. Thanks to RAFFL (Rutland Area Farm and Food Link) for the opportunity. 

If you want more information about a farm share from Radical Roots Farm - click here!

Is a CSA Farm Share Right for You?

by Carol Tashie and Dennis Duhaime

Erin and Miles Robbason picking up their farm share at Radical Roots Farm in Rutland.

Despite the wintry cold weather, your local farmers are gearing up for spring. Most of us have already started seeding onions, early greens, and even artichokes, while many of us are tending and harvesting the winter greens still flourishing in our high tunnels. Winter may be in full bloom, but spring will start blossoming before we know it.

Farmers are also starting to accept registrations for the upcoming CSA farm share season, which makes it the perfect time to consider if a farm share is right for you and your family.

CSA, also known as a farm share, stands for Community Supportive Agriculture and is an arrangement that connects farmers and eaters in a mutually beneficial relationship. Share members receive a full season’s worth of the freshest and most delicious food possible and farmers receive an upfront financial investment in their farms.

But a farm share is so much more than just a business transaction. It is the start of a long-lasting connection to your food and the people who grow it.

When you join a CSA you are no longer just a farmer’s customer, the veggies you eat are no longer just purchases. You become a part of the farm’s community, developing an almost familial relationship with the people, the land, and the food. Purchasing a share means you “buy into” the farm and the farm “buys into” you.

Farm shares vary in size, price, and scope, allowing you to determine what is right for your budget and appetite. Some farm shares offer free choice, giving share members the ability to pick and chose what they want when they want it; others generously divvy up the week’s harvest and provide their share members with an ever-changing diversity of ultra-fresh food.

Depending on the CSA, shares can be picked up at the farm, the local farmers’ market, or, in some instances, delivered to area businesses or even members’ homes. Some farms offer veggies, others offer meats, cheeses, and eggs. All farm shares offer you the best Vermont has to offer.

So how do you know if a farm share is right for you?

First, consider your family’s eating habits. Are you, or do you want to become, big vegetable eaters? Do you like a variety of veggies and are you excited to occasionally try something new?  Do you like to cook? Happy farm share members generally answer yes to most or all of these questions.

Next consider your budget. Most farms ask members to pay for at least part of their share prior to start of the harvest; this advance capital allows the farmer to purchase seeds, soil amendments, and other infrastructure needs. In return, share members receive a generous amount of food for their upfront investment in the farm.

Lastly, are you willing to accept the shared risk that goes hand-in-hand with the shared benefits of being a farm share member?  Each year, on every farm, there will be superstar crops and some that are less than stellar. Members share the joys, as well as the disappointments, with the farmer.

Once you decide to join a CSA, you should consider which farm is right for you. Talk to your neighbors and friends and get recommendations from other share members. Visit the farm’s website to learn about growing practices, location, and size, scope, and cost of shares. Chat directly with the farmer; most of us love to talk about our farms and are happy to help you decide if our CSA is right for you.

For a complete listing of CSA farms in the Rutland area, check out RAFFL’s locally grown guide (http://www.rutlandfarmandfood.org/guide/). For a statewide list, visit NOFA’s website (http://nofavt.org/).

As farmers, we believe that share members play an important role in keeping Vermont’s farms vital and vibrant, while positively impacting the health and wellbeing of their own families and communities. Each year we are excited to celebrate our returning share members and welcome new members into our farm community. If you decide a CSA is right for you, you too will experience the benefits of a healthy relationship to your food and your farmers.

And now it’s time to get back to seeding.

Carol Tashie and Dennis Duhaime own Radical Roots Farm, growing vegetables for their CSA farm share members, Rutland’s Farmers’ Market, and local restaurants and schools.  To learn more about their farm visit www.RadicalRootsVT.com or contact them at radicalrootsfarm@gmail.com 

2014 CSA Farm Shares Now Available

2014 CSA Farm Shares are now available!

Please CLICK HERE to download a "fillable" registration form. (If you have trouble downloading the fillable form, CLICK HERE to download a printable pdf.)

To see exactly what share members received in 2013, CLICK HERE!

To best meet your needs, we are once again offering two kinds of shares:

~ 1. Market-Basket Farm Share ~
~ 2. Pre-Pay Farm Share ~

1. MARKET BASKET FARM SHARE

A “Market-Basket Farm Share” means you receive a “basket” of mixed vegetables (and even some herbs and flowers) every week for 22 weeks (June through November). Each week, this “basket” will contain a generous mix of the crops we harvested that week including some "member choices" as the harvest permits. By making this upfront investment in our farm, you receive at least 25% more value for your money. (Market basket shares come in two sizes - large and small - and can be picked up at the farm or delivered to a select number of Rutland City workplaces. See below for details.)

Some happy share members picking up at the farm!

OPTION: On Farm Pick-up or Delivery

Pick-up your Share at the Farm

On Mondays, you can pick-up your share at the farm between 4:00 and 7:00pm. Radical Roots Farm is located just minutes from downtown Rutland, along the scenic Creek Road (1.8 miles south of the College of St. Joseph). Come enjoy our beautiful farm!
OR

Have your Share Delivered

Shares delivered to CCV

If you prefer to have your share delivered, there are two options: Our main delivery site is the Rutland Chamber of Commerce on Merchants Row in downtown Rutland. You can pick-up your share at this office between noon and 5pm on Tuesdays. We also deliver to a select number of Rutland City workplaces. Ask us about delivery to YOUR Rutland City workplace (minimum 3 shares per site for delivery). Cost of delivery: $25 for the entire season.

OPTION: Choose a Size that is Right for YOU 

~ Large Market Basket Share

The Large Share costs only $475 and provides over $595 worth of vegetables (and even some herbs and flowers). It feeds a family of 4 (or 2 big veggie eaters) and runs for 22 weeks (from June through November). While each year is different, large share members received 54% more value for their money in 2013.  CLICK HERE to see what 2013 large share members received.

OR
~ Small Market Basket Share 

The Small Share costs only $275 and provides over $345 worth of vegetables (and even some herbs and flowers). It feeds a family of 2 (or 1 big veggie eater) and runs for 22 weeks (from June through November). While each year is different, small share members received 42% more value for their money in 2013. CLICK HERE to see what 2013 small share members received.

Please CLICK HERE to download the registration form.

2. PRE-PAY FARM SHARE

A “Pre-Pay Farm Share” means you will receive a credit to purchase whatever vegetables, herbs or flowers you want every Saturday at Rutland’s Farmers Market (outdoor and indoor markets). By making this upfront investment in our farm, we are able to offer you an additional 10-15% value on your money.

--- Pre-Pay $200 and receive a season's credit of $220

--- Pre-Pay $300 and receive a season's credit of $340

--- Pre-Pay $400 and receive a season's credit of $460

A Pre-Pay Farm Share gives you the advantage of being able to choose whatever you want, whenever you want it. On vacation? No problem - your pre-pay credit is good all season long!  Having company one weekend? You can get as many veggies as you need to feed a full house!  Not a fan of zucchini? With a pre-pay farm share you only take what you like!

Please CLICK HERE to download the registration form.

Registration for all Farm Shares ends May 1st. All registrations must include a $50 deposit. Upon receipt of your registration form, you will receive a confirmation email and an invoice for your deposit/balance. All Farm Shares must be paid in full by May 1, 2014.

You can download and complete a "fillable" registration form (CLICK HERE) which can be emailed to RadicalRootsFarm@gmail.com. Or if you are not able to download this fillable form, CLICK HERE for a pdf version that you can print out and mail, along with your $50 deposit, to Radical Roots Farm, 74 Baxter Street, Rutland, VT 05701.

Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a Radical Roots Farm Share Member.  If you have any questions - or if you want to speak with us about how your Rutland City workplace can be a delivery location - please email us at RadicalRootsFarm@gmail.com or call us at 802-775-4994.

THANK YOU!

Carol Tashie and Dennis Duhaime

Rutland Herald/Times Argus

Article published Dec 8, 2013

Weekly Planet column

A wish list for Santa

Spoiler Alert: Parents may want to keep their children away from this column’s opening paragraph. Of course, how many children read my column in the first place?

Dear Santa,

It’s been many years since I stopped believing in you. In fact, I can still remember the exact day I realized you weren’t real. It was Easter — yes, Easter — when 7-year-old Carol concluded there was no giant rabbit hopping around the globe delivering eggs.

And as the Easter Bunny fell, so, too, did you. Don’t feel bad, Santa; that kiddie logic banished the Tooth Fairy the very same year.

But today, dear Santa, I am putting aside old grudges to send you my Christmas list.

The first thing I want is for the good folks who answer the phones at Vermont Health Connect to get their stockings filled with chocolate and flowers. Throughout the very rocky launch of our state’s health exchange, these people have been on the receiving end of frustrated and occasionally furious phone calls.

Include a few bottles of good Vermont wine, and hopefully they will finally know how much we appreciate their patience and support.

Please send our president a feather for his cap for bringing sweeping changes to our country’s inequitable health-care system. Although I was rooting for single-payer, he deserves credit for succeeding where so many others have failed.

But once you go down his chimney, please leave him Bill Gates’ phone number. Next time he needs some computer work done, hopefully he will ask a pro.

Santa, bring our governor and state Legislature the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could.” They will need courage and fortitude as they craft and codify our state’s single-payer system and stave off those who say it can’t be done.

And why not throw in a copy of “David and Goliath” to remind them that the little guys — us — can win against the giant — Monsanto — in the GMO-labeling war?

There’s a rumor going around that our beloved Sen. Bernie Sanders is thinking of running for president. While we are damn proud of our independent Socialist senator, please give Bernie a gift certificate for a weekend getaway with Howard Dean. And Dennis Kucinich. And Ralph Nader.

Please bring a red pencil to the U.S. secretary of agriculture so he can delete the inane food-safety rules included in the farm bill. While food safety is critical, these one-size-fits-all rules could put many small farmers out of business and make it virtually impossible for schools to get local food into their cafeterias.

For the Supreme Court justices, please give them the games of Monopoly and Operation so they can learn the difference between corporations and people.

I know I should ask you to bring something for the folks in Congress. But since you are Santa and not the Wizard of Oz, I guess brains and hearts are not possible.

Oh, well.

Here’s a tough one, Santa. Please give all climate-change deniers the deed to a small sliver of beachfront in the Republic of Maldives, the island nation that is disappearing into the sea.

I know this seems like a reward for bad behavior, but there’s nothing like firsthand experience to change somebody’s mind. Plus your old standby of a lump of coal is what got us into this mess in the first place.

And lastly, for everyone who has everything he or she needs and yet fills their Christmas lists with more of what they want, please bring them all fruitcake and hope they can take a joke.

Thank you, dear Santa, for making all of my Christmas wishes come true.

Carol Tashie, co-owner of Radical Roots Farm, lives in Rutland City and tries hard to find a balance between what is possible and what is impossible to ignore. She can be reached at carolweeklyplanet@yahoo.com.

What did Farm Share Members Receive during the 2013 Season?

Despite the crazy, crazy weather, 2013 was another great year for Radical Roots Farm share members.  Over the course of the 22-week season:

• Large share members paid $450 and received more than $695 worth of vegetables – 54% more value for their upfront investment in our farm.  

• Small share members paid $250 and received more than $355 worth of vegetables – 42% more value for their upfront investment in our farm. 

Needless to say, having a farm share is the best deal for your money! And it benefits share members and farmers alike!

Below is the list of veggies share members received when they picked up their share at the farm. Share members who had their shares delivered occasionally received a different item or two, especially when choices were offered. 

This list gives you a good sense of what a Radical Roots Farm Share offers throughout the season - although each season is unique. If you are interested in learning how to become a farm share member next season, please email (radicalrootsfarm@gmail.com) or call (802-775-4994) – we would love to hear from you.

THANKS!

Carol and Dennis

Week #22

Large Shares Received:

• Butternut or Delicata Squash
• Brussels Sprouts
• Broccoli
• Salad Greens
• Pea Shoots
• Potatoes
• Sweet Peppers
• Radishes
• Turnips
• Onions
• Garlic

Small Shares Received:

• Butternut or Delicata Squash or Brussels Sprouts
• Broccoli
• Salad Greens
• Pea Shoots
• Sweet Peppers
• Radishes
• Turnips

Week #21

Large Shares Received:

• Butternut or Delicata Squash
• Parsnips
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Salad Greens
• Sweet Peppers
• Two Choices of Kale, Chard, Collards, Celery, Celeriac, Tomatillos, Onions, Potatoes, Leeks, and/or Hot Peppers 

Small Shares Received:

• Butternut or Delicata Squash
• Parsnips
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Sweet Peppers
• One Choice of Kale, Chard, Collards, Celery, Celeriac, Tomatillos, Onions, Potatoes, Leeks, or Hot Peppers

Week #20

Large Shares Received:

• Delicata Squash
• Celeriac
• Potatoes
• Carrots or Beets
• Green Beans
• Bok Choy
• Sweet Peppers
• Lettuce 

Small Shares Received:

• Delicata Squash
• Celeriac
• Potatoes
• Carrots or Beets or Tomatillos
• Bok Choy

Week #19

Large Shares Received:

• Butternut Squash
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Kohlrabi
• Salad Greens 
• Sweet Peppers
• Onions
• Carrots
• Tomatillo

Small Shares Received:

• Butternut Squash
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Kohlrabi
• Salad Greens 
• Sweet Peppers

Week #18

Large Shares Received:

• Delicata Squash
• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Sweet Peppers
• Kale
• Tomatoes
• Basil
• Cauliflower or Beans
• Eggplant or Fennel
• Kohlrabi 

Small Shares Received:

• Delicata Squash
• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Sweet Peppers
• Kale
• Tomatoes
• Basil

Week #17

Large Shares Received:

• Acorn Squash
• Garlic
• Onions
• Choice of Carrots, Beets, Leeks, or Eggplant
• Sweet Peppers
• Watermelon
• Choice of Kale, Lettuce, or Salad Greens
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes

 Small Shares Received:

• Acorn Squash
• Garlic
• Onions
• Choice of Carrots, Beets, Leeks, or Eggplant
• Sweet Peppers
• Choice of Kale, Lettuce, or Salad Greens
• Tomatoes

Week #16

Large Shares Received:

• Napa Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Beans
• Potatoes
• Cucumbers

Small Shares Received:

• Napa Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Choice of Eggplant, Beans, or Potatoes

Week #15

Large Shares Received:

• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Parsley
• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Sweet Peppers
• Sweet Onions
• Kale

Small Shares Received:

• Potatoes
• Leeks
• Parsley
• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Onions

Week #14

Large Shares Received:

• Carrots
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Sunflower
• Cucumbers
• Watermelon
• 8 Choices of Beans, Kale, Sweet Peppers, Onions, and/or Potatoes

Small Shares Received:

• Carrots
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Sunflower
• Cucumber
• 4 Choices of Beans, Kale, Sweet Peppers, Onions, and/or Potatoes

Week #13

Large Shares Received:

• Red Cabbage
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Parsley
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Beans
• Eggplant
• Potatoes
• Sweet Peppers

Small Shares Received:

• Red Cabbage
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Choice of Parsley, Basil, or Cilantro

Week #12

Large Shares Received:

• Potatoes
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Rosemary
• Two choices of Greens (Lettuce, Kale, Celery, and/or Chard)
• Beans or Tomatillos or Eggplant
• Sweet Peppers

Small Shares Received:

• Potatoes
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Rosemary
• One choice of Greens (Lettuce, Kale, Celery, or Chard)
• Beans or Tomatillos or Eggplant

Week #11

Large Shares Received:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Garlic
• Sweet Onions
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Peppers
• Eggplants
• Beans
• Kale
• Cucumbers

Small Shares Received:

• Basil or Parsley
• Garlic
• Sweet Onions
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Peppers
• Eggplants or Beans
• Cucumbers

Week #10

Large Shares Received:

• Carrots
• Beets
• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Scallions
• Cabbage
• Sweet Onions
• Potatoes
• Bok Choy
• Summer Squash and Zucchini

Small Shares Received:

• Carrots
• Beets or Beans
• Tomatoes
• Scallions
• Cabbage or Bok Choy
• Summer Squash and Zucchini

Week #9

Large Shares Received:

• Two Choice of Greens
• Garlic
• Kohlrabi
• Cucumbers
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Parsley
• Basil
• Carrots
• Squash or Beets
• Scallions

Small Shares Received:

• One Choice of Greens
• Garlic
• Kohlrabi
• Cucumbers
• Sweet Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Squash or Beets

Week #8

Large Shares Received:

• Basil
• Garlic Scapes
• Scallions
• Snap Peas
• Cucumbers
• Two Choices of Beets, Beans, Fennel and/or Cabbage
• Two Choices of Kale, Chard and/or Escarole
• Sweet Peppers
• Zucchini and Summer Squash 

Small Shares Received:

• Basil
• Garlic Scapes
• Scallions
• Snap Peas
• Cucumbers
• Beets, Beans, Fennel or Cabbage
• Kale, Chard or Escarole
• Zucchini and Summer Squash

Week #7

Large Shares Received:

• Beets
• Garlic Scapes
• Zucchini and Summer Squash
• Two Choices of Greens (Kale, Lettuce, Radicchio, and/or Fennel)
• Kohlrabi
• Snap Peas
• Beans

Small Shares Received:

• Beets
• Garlic Scapes
• Zucchini and Summer Squash
• One Choice of Greens (Kale, Lettuce, Radicchio, or Fennel)
• Snap Peas

Week #6

Large Shares Received:

• Two Choices of Greens (Lettuce, Kale, and/or Chard)
• Broccoli
• Summer Squash and Zucchini
• Napa Cabbage
• Snap Peas
• Dill
• Cucumbers 

Small Shares Received:

• One Choice of Greens (Lettuce, Kale, or Chard)
• Summer Squash and Zucchini
• Napa Cabbage
• Snap Peas
• Dill
• Cucumbers

Week #5

Large Shares Received:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Summer Squash and Zucchini
• Radishes
• Broccoli
• Salad Greens
• Swiss Chard
• Snap Peas 

Small Shares Received:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Summer Squash and Zucchini
• Radishes
• Broccoli

Week #4

Large Shares Received:

• Zucchini
• Scallions
• Salad Green
• Kale or Chard
• Beets
• Cucumbers
• Radishes
• Dill
• Romaine Lettuce 

Small Shares Received:

• Zucchini
• Scallions
• Salad Green
• Kale or Chard
• Dill

Week #3

Large Shares Received:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Scallions
• Salad Greens
• Beet Greens
• Broccoli
• Dill
• Kale or Chard

Small Shares Received:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Scallions
• Salad Greens
• Beet Greens

Week #2

Large Shares Received:

• Beet Greens
• Spinach
• Salad Greens
• Romaine Lettuce
• Kale 
• Chard

Small Shares Received:

• Beet Greens
• Spinach
• Salad Greens
• Romaine Lettuce
• Kale or Chard

Week #1

Large Shares Received:

• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Salad Greens
• Pea Shoots
• Carrots
• Two Choices of Arugula, Broccoli Rabe, and/or Bok Choy 

Small Shares Received:

• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Salad Greens
• Pea Shoots
• Carrots
• Choice of Arugula, Broccoli Rabe, or Bok Choy