Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) Program
CSA is a community of people who come together to become direct supporters of a local harvest. Exactly what is a CSA? How does it work at Larson’s? Why is it a good idea? How do I become a member? Below you will find answers to these questions.

What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture or CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes spiritually the community’s farm with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or “share-holders” of the farm pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and the farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.

Of course each CSA is unique in that it is based on geographic location, the skills of the Farmer and the diversity of its members. However, all CSA’s strive for a sustainable operation that supplies the community with high-quality, reasonably priced, fresh produce.

What is the Larson CSA?
With CSA, you, as a consumer, “buy in” prior to the planting season to our farm’s summer harvest. In essence you buy a share of the harvest and then the land and farmer pay you back with vegetables all summer. During the summer, once a week, members or shareholders will come to the farm to pick up their boxes of farm fresh vegetables. You get a mixed box of whatever is being picked, and the food will change as the harvest changes over the growing season. In addition, you as a member take on the risk of the harvest, as well.

How will it work at Larson’s?
Members join us during December and January. This allows us to begin the seed purchasing/greenhouse preparation/equipment preparation process for planting in April and May. Typically the harvest will start in the middle of June and we hope to run until the end of September or the middle of October. Once a week, on a set day and a set window of time, you will come to the Farm Stand to pick up your box. One share is a box that should feed a family of four. The cost of a share is $600. Of course the Farm Market will remain open to both members and the general public seven days a week and anyone can drop in at any time. But member boxes will get “first priority” (as they are guaranteed a part of the harvest) and members will be a part of a more actively engaged group on the farm.

Why is it a good idea?
Many small farms are moving to the CSA model and we think it is for several good reasons. First, it guarantees a fresh, local harvest with as few “food miles” as possible. Food is grown for you, picked for you, and it all happens on a farm and by a farmer you know. No more concerns about where it comes from and how it was handled or mishandled before it gets to your table! Larson’s has been around since 1901 and many of our customers have been eating our corn and produce all of their lives! Second, the CSA model is a way to ensure the continuance of small locally owned and operated farms. The reason for this is the shared risk mentioned earlier. With unexpected bumper crops and unexpected crop failures, farming is extremely risky business (no wonder there are so few farms left). The CSA shares the risk and rewards of farming. The shares are non-refundable; some years you get more than you expected, but there is always a chance you might get less some seasons. The idea is that the community makes a commitment to the farm and the farmer to stick it out through thick and thin.

How do I become a Member or Shareholder?
For 2010, our CSA is not available. With increased interest, we will develop the CSA in future years.


More Specifics on how the Larson Farm CSA Works

  • You buy an annual share of the farms harvest. Each week on one day (Tuesday or Friday) between 10am – 6pm, you come to the Farm Stand and pick up your share of that week’s harvest.
  • We plan to start in mid June (weather permitting) and run through mid to late October. The program is expected to run approximately 20 weeks.
  • In June, crops are usually lettuce, scallions, dandelion greens, escarole, Broccoli Rabe, some herbs, peas, beets with greens, collards, spinach, swiss chard, radishes, and more!
  • As the season progresses, we pick more and more. Greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, pickles, beans, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower all start to being harvested by the end of June.
  • In July and August our field tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplants, and of course our famous sweet corn are ready!
  • September brings leeks, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnip greens turnips, kale, brussels sprouts, radishes, lettuce, spinach, winter squash and melons.

Please subscribe to our Newsletters for information about the CSA and Larson's Farm Market.

Thank you for your interest.

Larson’s Farm Market, LLC

HOME | CONTACT US | DIRECTIONS | FARM MARKET HOURS | FAMOUS SWEET CORN | CSA PROGRAM
CORN MAZE | HAUNTED CORN | EVENT CALENDAR | PHOTO GALLERY | HISTORY | NEWSLETTERS

Web site and graphic design by Dactyl Technologies, LLC