What is a CSA and the Benefits of Joining​

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CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. ​

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A CSA is a collection of people that agree to purchase products from a local farm  throughout a season.  Members purchase a “share” of the farm and each week go to the farm to pick-up or, have the product delivered to their town.  It is a creative way to eat locally and reduce your carbon footprint! For the duration of the growing season, you know the farmer that is providing your fruits and vegetables, and how they are being produced.​

Advantages for farmers:

• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their long days in the field begin
• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farmers initial input to get a crop started
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers:

• Eat ultra-fresh, nutritious food picked within hours of your arrival
• Get food at "bulk" pricing and cut out all middle men.  You don't even have to go to the farmers' market!
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Get to visit the farm all season
• Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm – even veggies they've never been known to eat
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows your food, the other share members (creating community) and learn more about how food is grown

It's a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound. Tens of thousands of families have joined CSAs, and in some areas of the country there is more demand than there are CSA farms to fill it. We're very happy to be one of the few CSAs in Carrollton, Ohio.

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One thing not to forget, however, is that there is an important concept woven into the CSA model and that is the notion of shared risk. When originally conceived a CSA held a different concept than it does today. A group of people pooled their money, bought a farm, hired a farmer, and each took a share of whatever the farm produced for the year. If the farm had a tomato bonanza, everyone put some up for winter. If a plague of locusts ate all the greens, people ate cheese sandwiches. Very few such CSAs exist today, and for most farmers, a CSA is just one way farmers are able to connect to the community around them.  By paying for all produce at the beginning of the season you help the farmer get the crop started just as a farmer would on his own.  However, just as mentioned, you also share in the risks of planting a crop.  It could be a bumper crop...or a failure.  This idea brings people as close to growing their own crops as possible without actually putting seeds in the ground. Still, the idea that "we're in this together" remains.

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* Above was adapted from localharvest.org check us out on their website as well as other local farms in the area!

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​How does our CSA work?

 

Baillie Farm CSA has a few special touches that most CSAs don't like our added on preservative free, all natural, bread. ​Our shares run for  15 weeks  from June 28th-Oct 3rd and our pick-ups happen at  our farm Wednesdays from 3-7pm. We understand that this day and time may not work for everyone so talk to us about other options especially since we are at the Carrollton farmers market each Tuesday & Saturday and that creates flexibilities with pick up issues. Our shares contain vegetables and occasionally fruits as approximated on our share info sheet below which is meant to help you envision how much "stuff" you'll get with a full or half share. You will notice that our standard full and half shares also get the occasional bunch of eggs and some baked goods. We also have many more surprises as the season goes on like Jam if our fruiting plants continue doing as good as it seems.   ​​​

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Here is our price list with the cost of add-ons as well....​

Full share = $485 

Half share =$250

Homemade bread = $60

* Can't pick up at all? Home delivery options are also available, please inquire.

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What is the Homemade Bread option? Since our bread has taken off this year, many asked if they could get a loaf of preservative free handmade bread each week with their share, we thought that was a great idea. Every week we'll have a few choices for you to pick from, everything from our Ciabatta buns to 100% Whole Wheat Sourdough bread for your weekly food regiment. If your not sure about our bread check us out at the Carrollton Farmer's market and come try one of our many samples. The add on is $60 on top of your share.

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How to Apply  ​​

 

• Our share application deadline is Saturday, July 21st.​ 
• To start your application process, print out the "Join Our CSA" paperwork and follow the directions on the sheets. *please do not make checks payable to Baillie Farm. ​
• If you do not have a printer you can pick up an application at our farm stand on Saturday or call us and we will mail you an application.​
• CSA share payment is due by your first pick up. To pay for your share you can send in a check with your application or pay us on your first pick up. ​
• If you are applying after the first pick up on Wednesday June 27th do not follow above steps because your share will be prorated to take into account any missed pick-ups. *Call or email us and we will send you a prorated bill and application.*​

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2012 CSA Shares are sold out... Please check us out at the Carrollton's Farmer's Market​