2013 Community Supported Agriculture Program

Terms & Conditions

What Is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture or CSA, is a farming model that directly links consumers to producers in the form of a shared commitment. Also known as subscription farming, the CSA allows us to provide you the freshest quality produce at the most competitive prices by removing the intermediary of stores and wholesalers. When you sign up you dedicate yourself to being our customer for the season and, in return, we commit ourselves to being your farmers and providing you with a varied, nutritious veggie supply for the share season. We'll also do our best to connect you to "your farm" through newsletters, farm open houses, and an open invitation for you to come visit the farm.

What Will I Receive?

Your share will consist of a weekly or bi-weekly allotment of produce equivalent to about a half bushel or paper grocery bag full of veggies. As a member you'll also receive a weekly email newsletter, access to special farm events, special produce and egg offerings and an opportunity to put a face with your farmer and your food.

What Produce Can I Expect?

You can expect some of the following veggies in your share, depending upon what Mother Nature gives us during the season:

• Spring: Asparagus, arugula, bok choi, baby lettuces, spinach, scallions and radishes as well as some of the hardier perennial herbs.
• Summer: Summer's bounty includes classics such as tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, zukes, onion, swiss chard, string beans, peppers as well as a full range of cooking herbs.
• Autumn: In addition to late season summer produce Autumn brings about hearty cold weather favorites such as winter squash, onions, potatoes, spinach and arugula.
• Your share will include one dozen of our free roaming chicken eggs each month for a total of seven dozen eggs. You may add additional cartons to your share if you'd like.

Keep in mind this is a general guideline as to what to expect, we have many additional surprises in store for this season's shares.

The How, When and Where of Picking Up My Share

All CSA shares are picked up at a choice of 2 locations: the farm north of Streator, IL or IWU Campus in Normal, IL. As a member, you choose the pickup location and time most convenient for you by completing the sign up form. Members will pick and pack their own shares, so we ask that you bring your own bag or boxes to transport your veggies. Staple crops for the week (tomatoes, onions, head lettuce, etc.) are divided equally among the members by weight or by piece. Other crops, such as loose greens will be available on a mix and match basis. In other words, all members will be able to pick and choose between several different types to equal their allotted amount for the week - you'll create your own mixed greens salad.

Beets Make Me Cringe, What Can I Do?

Well we always say give it a try at least once because we think you'll find our produce to be strikingly different in taste than what you'll buy in the grocery store. However, we understand some folks have hauntingly bad childhood memories attached to some of our veggie friends so we offer the exchange table. From the exchange table members can choose an additional item or two they prefer and leave the veggies or fruits they do not wish to take home with them for other members to pick up if they so choose.

Do You Have A Vacation or Missed Pick Up Policy?

We definitely do. We have several options for vacations and missed pick-ups. They are as follows:

• You may have a friend or neighbor pick up your share for you on your regular pick up day. Please send us an email a week prior to let us know who will be picking up your share.
• You may switch to another pick up location during that same week, but the switch must be scheduled a week in advance by letting us know at the prior pick up or by emailing us at jogle@santofarm.com.
• You may have ONE scheduled double pickup (twice the amount of that week's share)per season, either the week before or the week after your vacation. Double pickups MUST be scheduled one week in advance by the same method as in #2.
• If you miss a pickup for any other reason or fail to follow the policies above, you simply forfeit that week.

Can I Choose the Items I Get In My Share?

Well yes and no, certain items are allotted in the weekly share and some items are offered to you as optional (mix and match greens table, exchange table, etc.). However, we will choose the assortment of veggies offered to you each week based upon what is ready to be picked. This gives you the tastiest, most ripe produce for your membership and also helps us share the harvest fairly and evenly among all members of our CSA.

Because You Grow Naturally, Will My Produce Contain (eeek) Bugs?

Although we do prewash everything to remove field dirt and bugs you may find a little guy hiding in your food from time to time as you are washing your produce. This is not typical of store-bought produce for the simple fact insects (both beneficial and predatory) are eradicated in their growing process through the heavy use of synthetic chemicals. With that being said, we suffer through picking off a caterpillar once in a great while in exchange for eating safe, fresh food.

Joining the Farm

Why Pay Up Front So Early In the Year?

In order for us to prepare for the upcoming season, we'll need a commitment from you so we can calculate how much food we need to grow. We begin our planning for next year before the current year is over by planting Spring crops in Autumn and organizing and ordering our seed orders in December. Your subscription helps us order seeds, supplies and get our farm in tip top shape for Spring.

How Do I Sign Up?

Signing up is easy. Click here to access our sign up form, complete the form, detach the bottom portion and return it to us in the mail along with your payment. If you'd like to save a stamp, click here to submit payment online. When we receive your payment, you'll receive an email confirming receipt and welcoming you to our CSA. In the event your payment is received after all shares are sold, we will let you know via email then return your payment to you immediately. Additionally, your name will be added to a wait list for next year's shares.

Do You Offer Any Special Payment Plans?

Most commonly, people pay the full share price up front. If you wish to just send in your minimum deposit or half the share cost then pay the remaining balance at a later date, please write out two checks, one for the deposit (or half the share if you'd like). Date one check for the date you are signing up and sending in your checks; postdate the second check for any date up to March 1st. Send both checks in with your sign-up. We won't deposit the second check until its date. If we do not receive the minimum deposit due with your signup, we will not be able to accommodate a payment arrangement and your share will not be reserved.

Can I Purchase Shares as Gifts?

Yes, CSA shares make terrific gifts. Just complete our gift CSA sign up form by clicking here and submit it as you would for regular share sign up. We will notify your gift recipient of the awesome gift you've given them and they will be entitled to pick up 24 (or 12 for half shares) weeks worth of fresh veggies.

Can I Visit The Farm?

You sure can! Everyone should have the chance to see how their food is grown. We are working on coming up with fun CSA member only events and also hope to someday host events for the public as well. It's great to get to know fellow CSA members, and to share ideas and good fellowship. You may also come out to visit on your own, but things can get kind of hairy during the growing season so an appointment is needed.