As the farm grows, we have to create a balance in the amount of work that needs to be done in each season. I mentioned this briefly in my Reflections of the 2010 CSA post, but want to expand on what changes are planned for next year.
It was a decision that took much thought and pondering about how to proceed, but I feel good about the final decision to decrease the amount of CSA members that I’m taking on next season to around 40 members.
This will do several things: let us take better care of a smaller amount of people, spend less time on the road delivering to our farthest drop-off sites, have more time to deal with expanding farm operations (like our wood-fired pizzas) which require us to grow more food to top all of those pizzas.
This means that I am no longer delivering to Holmen or Trempealeau next year. I had a hard time making that final decision as I have created some wonderful relationships with the customers in these towns, some who have supported Suncrest Gardens for many years. But in order to try to make the change a win-win for everyone, I am highly recommending a newer CSA farm who is wanting to expand its membership to 20+ members this year. Herbal Turtle Farms is located outside of Winona, MN, and is operated by Brain Crigler and Kate Foerster. They operated a small CSA last year and sell their shitake mushrooms, herbs, and other delights at the Winona Farmer’s Market. Kate was also an intern here at Suncrest Gardens during the 2009 season.
For those people in the Holmen and Trempealeau area, please email Brian and Kate to inquire about a CSA share for the 2011 season. If they have enough people sign up, they will deliver to Trempealeau and Holmen. So the win-win is that I can evolve and adjust as needed, the Trempealeau/Holmen folks can still get wonderful naturally grown local foods delivered to a site near them, and a new CSA farm can grow. I would still love to see all of you and please feel free to come visit at the farm on one of our wood-fired pizza events or you could join in one of our *new* seasons of CSA membership that I’ll describe below.
The other change to the CSA is the concept of “CSA by Season”. There will still be the normal summer CSA program at the same price and delivery size and frequency options…so no change there. However, there will be the option of adding on a Spring Share, a Fall Share, or a Winter Share. Or you could simply be a Year-Round Eater…with the only month without deliveries being April. Our on-farm licensed kitchen gives us the opportunity to process and freeze items for the winter shares and better utilize and preserve vegetables that are in abundance at only certain times of the year.
If prices are broken down per week, a member would spend roughly $20 per week to eat fresh, naturally grown, local vegetables for 11 months out of the year. I think that is a reasonable price, and all but the summer months also include a dozen eggs with each box.
We are trying to simplify things by not offering as many ala carte options next year, and will continue to offer our most popular options: eggs, salad, and herbs. We will continue to deliver to Alma, Fountain City, and Winona as long as their is enough shares to warrant our delivery efforts to those sites. The farm is definitely still a pick-up option for those who live near.
I will post sign-up forms on the website as soon as I have these new forms created. If you are interested in the different CSA season options or have questions, please email Heather.
Our sign-up for 2011 will begin after January 1st, 2011. Last season, I offered some electronic transfers of money for payment via paypal. For this convenience, it costs the farm 3% of the price of goods sold. For a check in the mail, I pay no fees. It is not fair to those who pay without the fees to buffer the fees by those who elect the convenience of electronic payments. So, I am working on a solution that perhaps can allow convenience and some alternate payment options for those who need them. I will let you know what I can work out, but know that I prefer check and full payment before the delivery of vegetables begins as bookwork is more difficult to do during the busy summer months.
I thank you for supporting the farm, providing input as to what you would like in a CSA farm, and the inspiration and challenge that I get from trying to do my best for my customers! It would be easier to sit back and just do what I did the year before, but it is just not my style. I want to try to improve the farm, my farming practices, your experience with my farm, and the quality of life for my family every year. Thanks again for giving me that opportunity.
Eat Well. Smile Often.
Heather