It is our second full year of farm production, and this year we are establishing a CSA at the SBS greenhouse! Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA; sometimes knows as community-shared agriculture) is an alternative, locally based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA also refers to a particular network or association of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production. CSA members pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they receive weekly or bi-weekly shares of vegetables and fruit.
We pledge to work hard to harvest the highest quality food our land will produce, and in return for your investment you receive weekly or bi-weekly shares of vegetables and fruit.
Invest in our CSA
12-Week Full Share:
$225 (Receive produce from July through October)
Bi-Weekly Half-Share:
$115 (Receive produce from July through October)
Bartered Share:
Our philosophy is that fresh food should be available to everyone, so please contact us at mindwork@twcbc.ne.com to discuss trading a service or volunteering on the farm in exchange for a share.
Send an email to Carrie at cwoodcock@stepbystepinc.org to become a member of our CSA.
What is a Basic Share?
Each week’s share, from July to October, is sized to feed a couple who doesn’t eat at home every night or a family with young children.
Pick up day will be Thursday, and each week you will receive a weekly email newsletter that will include a list of available produce, what's happening on the farm, and recipes to go along with the produce that you receive.
Each week your produce will be packaged in a variety of ways (depending on availability):
Categories:
Bundles:
Lettuce, sprouts (variety), spinach, swiss chard, radishes, carrots, beets, mushrooms (variety), scallions
Pounds:
Peppers (variety), beans (variety), tomatoes (variety), broccoli, Cauliflower, potatoes (variety)
Numbers:
Cucumbers (variety), summer squash (variety), cabbage, watermelon, winter squash (variety), pumpkin, onions, zucchini (variety)
We have the ability to offer lettuce, spinach, sprouts, radishes, and swiss chard throughout the entire growing season so you can always have a salad mix on hand.
How it Works
Once you become a member you will complete a preference sheet. Luke, our SBS Gardner, will do his best to complete your share each week according to your preferences and produce availability.
Pick-Up Options
Pre-Picked
Your share can be pre-picked based upon your preference sheet and picked up at the farm.
Pick-Up at SBS
In the Ogdensburg area? Your share can also be pre-picked based upon your perference sheet and picked up at SBS (1515 Knox Street), or if you are local you can contact us to discuss a drop-off.
Pick Your Own Produce with Luke
You can even pick your produce right from the vine if you want to visit the garden and be a part of it! Just schedule a time to meet with Luke and hand pick your veggies and fruit yourself.
The remainder of the produce that is available will be available on roadside stands and donated to food pantries and neighborhood centers... just watch for announcements via email or our website to find out when it will be available.
Last year we had an incredible growing season, harvesting over 5,749 pounds of produce and helping over 200 families in our community. However, there are inherent risks involved with food production. Using the combined skill of many hard working individuals, we hope to curtail these risks, but there is always the posibility of loss. We do not envision total losses, and we promise our best effort. Some weeks there will be more than others, and abundance will be shared with paid supporters for the cost of production.
Our anticipated crops for this year include:
Shoots, spinach, greens, kale, chard, turnip greens, collards, cherry tomatoes, kale, baby red potatoes, sugar snap peas. shell peas, basil, cilantro, assorted herbs, beans, tomatoes, carrots, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, pumpkins, beets, cabbage, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, winter squash, beans, watermelon, salad mix, and more!
No pestcides and no fertilizers are used that aren't natural or organic on the SBS farm. Our veggies are grown with a lot of love and care, thanks to Luke McAllister. Last year we made use of the produce in our own kitchen and cooked with our tenants and drop-in center members. We received recipes, pictures, and donations from our community members, and connected with our neighborhood centeres and food pantries. We even had some great days visiting with our neighbors!
At SBS we see our produce about much more than a way to improve your diet and well-being, we believe this collaboration is also about investing in our community.
To sign up to become a member of our CSA simply send a message to cwoodcock@stepbystepinc.org.
We are looking forward to a great growing season this year!
Carrie Woodcock
Director of Wellness and Rehabilitation Services
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