Homestead Share
The Details
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We know that there may be a lot of questions about this new farm option so we will do our best to answer them here, but if at any time you would like to ask more questions please give Nathan a call at 270-799-5563 or email Michelle at michelle.lifeisgood@gmail.com
How many Homestead shares will you be offering?
Our goal is to take 10 households for the Homestead CSA in 2016 and increase up to 15 households by 2017.
How will weekly pickups work?
Homestead shares will be picked up every Thursday between 1-7 pm. Other arrangements can be made, as needed. We invite you to come out to the farm to gather your items quickly (if you need to run) or stay awhile. Thursdays will be for harvesting, taking care of the animals and cooking in the kitchen. You and your family can come out and work or spend time sitting under a shade tree.
How will we know what we get each week?
All of the fruits and vegetables that are growing in the field will be harvested on Wednesday and Thursday morning. When you arrive you will gather all the fruits and vegetables you can eat from the "farm store". You will also choose from meat in the freezer and dairy & eggs in the fridge. Take all that you can eat for the week (we ask that you only take what you and those in your household will eat that week).
What will be offered in the winter months?
In the winter months we will have two heated high tunnels where we will be growing greens, lettuce, herbs and root crops. In addition, we will be growing large amounts of potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, winter squash, turnips, beets and more that will be available "until they are gone". In addition, we will be purchasing several bins of apples from Jackson's Orchard and shares of citrus from Marion Groves (our farming friends in Florida). We'll also encourage our members to take extra during the summer to can and freeze for the winter months.
Do I have to make a yearly commitment?
Yes. In order for this share option to work we do need a year round commitment. You are literally buying a "share" of our farm which allows us to offer you fresh, real milk and wild caught & foraged food items. We are asking those selecting this option to pay quarterly with four post dated checks: $1742 for April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1. Other payment options are available with post-dated checks.
What if I can't be at pick up one week?
If you are unable to pick up your share you will have several options. You could send someone else to pick it up for you, you could stock up the week before, you could stock up the week before or after.
Where do you purchase your additional products and bulk foods?
The additional produce that we purchase for the farm comes from our farming community. For example, we will purchase peaches and apples from Jackson's Orchard and Nursery to share with our members. Michelle worked for them for 9 years and look forward to sharing the seasonal fruits that they grow. Our good college friend Michael Webster grows the best berries around and we'll be sharing those with you when in season. Our farming friends at Marion Groves in Florida make the trip to Bowling Green several times each winter with delicious citrus that we will purchase shares for our members. In addition, if a "share" is not enough for your family you will have the option to purchase more at our wholesale price. We will also be purchasing olive oil, salt, sugar, flour, etc. for our farm kitchen and you will have the option to buy at our wholesale price.
Will I have any control over what is grown?
Yes. We hope that at our weekly pickup days and meals that you will help us make decisions on what will be planted or raised next. While we already have plans to grow a huge variety of products (over 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs) we are open to suggestions and look forward to your feedback.
How will this be different than the current CSA share?
A lot of the products available in this share are very similar to what you are currently receiving. Here are the major differences. You will be able to take what you want and in whatever quantities your family can eat for the week. That means if you do not like eggplant, but love tomatoes you can stock up on what you prefer. You will also be able to take as much meat, milk (once available) and eggs for the week. You will also have access to our farm kitchen where Emily Aldridge will have fresh bread and a prepared food for you to take home for the week. We will not be offering milk, bread and cheese as you currently receive it in your share. Those items are for sale at Community Farmers Market every Saturday.
How many Homestead shares will you be offering?
Our goal is to take 10 households for the Homestead CSA in 2016 and increase up to 15 households by 2017.
How will weekly pickups work?
Homestead shares will be picked up every Thursday between 1-7 pm. Other arrangements can be made, as needed. We invite you to come out to the farm to gather your items quickly (if you need to run) or stay awhile. Thursdays will be for harvesting, taking care of the animals and cooking in the kitchen. You and your family can come out and work or spend time sitting under a shade tree.
How will we know what we get each week?
All of the fruits and vegetables that are growing in the field will be harvested on Wednesday and Thursday morning. When you arrive you will gather all the fruits and vegetables you can eat from the "farm store". You will also choose from meat in the freezer and dairy & eggs in the fridge. Take all that you can eat for the week (we ask that you only take what you and those in your household will eat that week).
What will be offered in the winter months?
In the winter months we will have two heated high tunnels where we will be growing greens, lettuce, herbs and root crops. In addition, we will be growing large amounts of potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, winter squash, turnips, beets and more that will be available "until they are gone". In addition, we will be purchasing several bins of apples from Jackson's Orchard and shares of citrus from Marion Groves (our farming friends in Florida). We'll also encourage our members to take extra during the summer to can and freeze for the winter months.
Do I have to make a yearly commitment?
Yes. In order for this share option to work we do need a year round commitment. You are literally buying a "share" of our farm which allows us to offer you fresh, real milk and wild caught & foraged food items. We are asking those selecting this option to pay quarterly with four post dated checks: $1742 for April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1. Other payment options are available with post-dated checks.
What if I can't be at pick up one week?
If you are unable to pick up your share you will have several options. You could send someone else to pick it up for you, you could stock up the week before, you could stock up the week before or after.
Where do you purchase your additional products and bulk foods?
The additional produce that we purchase for the farm comes from our farming community. For example, we will purchase peaches and apples from Jackson's Orchard and Nursery to share with our members. Michelle worked for them for 9 years and look forward to sharing the seasonal fruits that they grow. Our good college friend Michael Webster grows the best berries around and we'll be sharing those with you when in season. Our farming friends at Marion Groves in Florida make the trip to Bowling Green several times each winter with delicious citrus that we will purchase shares for our members. In addition, if a "share" is not enough for your family you will have the option to purchase more at our wholesale price. We will also be purchasing olive oil, salt, sugar, flour, etc. for our farm kitchen and you will have the option to buy at our wholesale price.
Will I have any control over what is grown?
Yes. We hope that at our weekly pickup days and meals that you will help us make decisions on what will be planted or raised next. While we already have plans to grow a huge variety of products (over 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs) we are open to suggestions and look forward to your feedback.
How will this be different than the current CSA share?
A lot of the products available in this share are very similar to what you are currently receiving. Here are the major differences. You will be able to take what you want and in whatever quantities your family can eat for the week. That means if you do not like eggplant, but love tomatoes you can stock up on what you prefer. You will also be able to take as much meat, milk (once available) and eggs for the week. You will also have access to our farm kitchen where Emily Aldridge will have fresh bread and a prepared food for you to take home for the week. We will not be offering milk, bread and cheese as you currently receive it in your share. Those items are for sale at Community Farmers Market every Saturday.