Our CSA - Farm Share
Photo credit: Lola D Ramsey
What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Originally it began as a way for neighbors to buy a “share” of the neighboring farm at the beginning of the farmer's season. This helped cover the farmer's cost of seed and other inputs 'farmer-joe' or '-joette' required to get the season's crops in the ground. In exchange, the non-farm neighbor (aka share-owner) would receive fresh, seasonal produce from the farm on a regular basis.
Through the years the model has evolved to take on various names and specifics based upon each farm and community's need. For us at Tillow Acres Farm, you'll read and hear it referred to as our FARM SHARE program versus CSA.
Why commit to a CSA or Share program?
Today more than ever, this CSA model is experiencing growth at unprecedented levels. More and more consumers are awakening to the importance of food sourcing and safe food systems. We NEED to reconnect with our food source and have greater confidence in the food we place in our bodies on a daily basis is indeed grown where and how a label claims it to be, and is as fresh as the expiration date claims.
How does it work?
In our FARM SHARE program, a Consumer (like you) pre-pays a seasonal fee upfront for a portion (share) of our farm's upcoming harvest. This payment brings the consumer into a Membership relationship with our farm, known now to us as one of our farm members (shareholder) for the season. Throughout the weeks of our growing season, our Members receive delicious, vine-ripened, freshly harvested, chemical-free produce. In our case, we offer FULL SEASON memberships or you can choose to sign up to buy a share for a season or two. We offer Spring, Summer, and Fall Share seasons.
Here's a little bit of what makes ours...ours.
Here are the quick facts about our Farm Shares...
Here's the quick facts on our Farm Share program...
Diversity
We grow over 40 varieties of fruits, berries, vegetables, and herbs.
We start 99% of all seedlings and plants produced on the farm, excluding our perennial stock. By doing so, we can:
a) know our produce is 100%
Certified-Organic and heirloom
seed stock, and
b) grow and offer the varieties best
known for their exceptional flavor
and high nutritional value.
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The seeds and plant stock are selected based on a species' boldness of flavor, nutrient-density, and overall ability to perform well in organically-farmed conditions here in Ohio.
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In each farm share bag/box you'll find seasonal fruits, berries and culinary herbs along with seasonal vegetables. We also include our In The Kitchen sheet in each bag/box describing the week's contents, and recipes and storage tips meant to inspire and help you get the most enjoyment and value from your produce. Here's a few sheets from our 2021 Season.
Three Share Sizes
SAMPLER SHARE Bag
This size is a great option
for an couple or small
family who occasionally cooks.
It contains approx. 5lbs to 11lbs
of produce (depending upon
the week's produce item and
harvest) with 5 to 9 different
varieties of produce in each bag.
LITE SHARE Box
This size is a ½ bushel box perfect for
a couple or family of 4 who enjoy cooking
4-5 times a week.
Depending on the
week's
produce/harvest,
you'll find anywhere
from 8lbs up to 17lbs.
(Higher lbs during peak season, squash/melon harvest)
Each Box includes 5 to 9 different
varieties of produce.
Mini-SAMPLER SHARE Bag
This smaller version of our SAMPLER size was recommended by a few of our members. It's the right fit for just one or an elderly couple who enjoy fresh produce yet cook smaller portions. Expect approx. 3lbs to 9lbs of produce (depending upon the week's produce item and harvest) with 5 to 7 different varieties of produce in each bag.
Our Seasons & Schedules
We offer two types of memberships for 2022.
A FULL SEASON Membership - which begins the week of May 15 and runs through November 3, 2022 - Total of 24 weeks.
Or a BY THE SEASON Membership - you can choose to purchase a share of produce for a season or two;
Spring - beginning May 15 - Jun 23, 2022 Total of 6 weeks.
Summer - beginning Jun 26 - Sep 1, 2022 Total of 10 weeks.
Fall - beginning Sep 11 - Nov 3, 2022
Total of 8 weeks.
Our distribution SCHEDULE is on a bi-weekly basis, alternating each week between a members' harvest size. Meaning ... we harvest and pack our Mini-Sampler and Sampler Bags sizes to distribute one week, then harvest and pack to distribute our LITE Box sizes the following week.
If a member is interested in receiving weekly produce, they may purchase either a Mini-Sampler or Sampler bag as well as LITE Box to receive a weekly share of produce through the season. (pending availability)
(To view full schedules, click the button below.)
LITE Share Box - $31 p/box
The LITE SHARE is a recyclable box just over ½ bushel in size with 5 - 9 varieties of produce. The size is a good fit for two veggie lovers or a family of two adults with two children.
Expect some produce rotating in more frequently than others (e.g. lettuces, beans, beets, tomatoes may be included in your Share Box 4-6 times throughout the share season.)
FULL SEASON $372 - Total of 12 boxes every other week starting May 15 through Nov. 3, 2022.
SPRING SEASON $93 - Total of 3 boxes every other week starting May 15 through June 23, 2022.
SUMMER SEASON $155 - Total of 5 boxes every other week starting June 26 through Sept. 1, 2022.
FALL SEASON $124 - Total of 4 boxes every other week starting Sept. 11 through Nov. 3, 2022.
Example of our LITE SHARE Box contents.
SAMPLER Share Bag - $26 p/bag
The SAMPLER SHARE is a burlap bag and offers the same variety of produce as our LITE SHARE box, just slightly smaller amounts of each item. (E.g. you may receive 1-2 cucumbers vs 3-4, 1-2 heirloom tomatoes vs 3-4, etc.)
Expect some produce rotating in more frequently than others (e.g. lettuces, beans, beets, tomatoes may be included in your Share Bag 4-6 times throughout the share season.)
FULL SEASON $312 - 12 boxes every other week starting May 15 through Nov. 3, 2022.
SPRING SEASON $78 - 3 boxes every other week starting May 15 through June 23, 2022.
SUMMER SEASON $130 - 5 boxes every other week starting June 26 through Sept. 1, 2022.
FALL SEASON $104 - 4 boxes every other week starting Sept. 11 through Nov. 3, 2022.
Examples of our SAMPLER SHARE Bag contents.
Mini-SAMPLER Share Bag - $19 p/bag
The Mini- SAMPLER SHARE is a burlap bag containing less variety (5-7 different item types) and smaller amounts of each item. (E.g. you receive 1-2 cucumbers vs 3-4, 1-2 heirloom tomatoes vs 3-4, etc.)
Expect some produce rotating in more frequently than others (e.g. lettuces, beans, beets, tomatoes may be included in your Share Bag 4-6 times throughout the share season.)
FULL SEASON $228 - 12 boxes every other week starting May 15 through Nov. 3, 2022.
SPRING SEASON $57 - 3 boxes every other week starting May 15 through June 23, 2022.
SUMMER SEASON $95 - 5 boxes every other week starting June 26 through Sept. 1, 2022.
FALL SEASON $76 - 4 boxes every other week starting Sept. 11 through Nov. 3, 2022.
Example of our Mini-SAMPLER SHARE Bag contents.
A FEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Do you deliver or where do I pick-up my Share Box? Yes, we do deliver locally for free and within 60 miles for a fee. Pick-up is at the farm.
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Can I choose or substitute my produce for my Share box? No, at this time we are unable to substitute share items. With that said, each new member receives a 'Preference Sheet' that contains the upcoming seasons' crop names. Just complete and return the sheet back to us before the first week of the SHARE Season, and we'll try to customize - as much as possible - your bag/box according to the preferred crops you've marked/ranked on the sheet.
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Is there a contract for the Season? No. There is no legal contract, however, there is an agreement. Please view our Membership agreement here.
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How do I pay and can I pay by credit card? When you Click to Reserve your FARM SHARE, you'll receive an email with your invoice attached and details on how to make your payment. We ask for 50% down and the remainder paid by the start of each Season. You can make your payment by cash, check or credit card. We accept all major credit cards. If paying by credit card, a 3% service fee will be added to cover our transaction fee costs.
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What if I need to back out, do you issue refunds? We understand things can change. We do issue refunds under our Policy Guidelines you can view here.
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What if I'm going out of town or running late to pick up and can't receive my SHARE box/bag? We understand from time to time these things happen, and we all enjoy time away. We have Pick-up and Delivery Policy for these exact situations and you can view them here.
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Is the produce certified-organic? No. The farm at present is not Certified-Organic. We are in transition and hope to obtain certification in the short-term. Our farming practices and methods pertaining to our pasture and production land follows the standards set by the USDA and the National Organic Standards board.
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Do you grow everything in the FARM SHAREs? Yes. At this time, we plan to grow all the produce for our FARM SHAREs. We take personal satisfaction and joy in knowing our produce is contributing to the health and eating enjoyment of our Members. If ever we would add an item not grown or raised here on the farm, we will note the item on our 'In the Kitchen' sheet we distribute in our SHARE boxes/bags.