2012 CSA Sign up NOW! Don’t be disappointed! Get your share now as we did sell out before the season began in 2011! Your investment in us now is what helps us buy the seed, pay the farmer, reach out to get our sign-ups, etc.
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)- Download CSA brochure pg 1 pg 2
CSA is a partnership between a farm and members from the local community. Members provide financial support to the farm by purchasing a produce share at the beginning of the growing season. In return, the farm provides fresh, locally-grown products throughout the year. Members of the farm have the satisfaction of knowing where their food comes from and the opportunity to enjoy delicious produce that is grown with great care. Wellspring was a pioneer of the CSA movement in Wisconsin, becoming an organic CSA in 1988.
Would you like farm fresh, certified organic produce delivered to your neighborhood? As a “shareholder” you receive 20 weeks of fresh food along with helpful recipes beginning the 1st full week of June through the third week of October. NEW in 2012 is the addition of a Winter Share. This will be 3 larger shares distributed 2 weeks apart in November and December. Winter Shares will be $150 for all 3 shares.
How does it work?
Well before the beginning of each growing season, a CSA shareholder purchases a “share” of the season’s harvest. The price of the share reflects the revenues needed to cover the expenses of operating the farm for that year and the value of the produce we expect to offer. Your share dollars help provide a stable revenue source that allows us to concentrate on growing a wide variety of crops to ensure a good harvest. By collecting shares early in the season we can plan, purchase supplies, repair equipment, and get your produce growing so that’s it’s ready by June. We actually start buying seed in early 2012 and we have already purchased seed and planted cover crops to restore nutrition to the soil. Garlic for 2012 shares were planted on Oct. 18 of 2011. Thus, the revenues are needed early to purchase the necessary ammendments, seed, etc.
Once produce starts coming in, CSA members pick up their weekly allotments at a drop-site convenient for them. We offer two different share sizes: Full and Half. All weekly boxes are the same size; the Full Share is delivered weekly and the Half Share every other week. Which size is right for you? That depends on how much fresh produce you eat, and how often you cook meals yourself. Generally speaking, our Full Share should satisfy the produce needs of the average family or hungry couple for a week. Our Half Share is better suited to individuals, couples or those families who eat out several times a week. The Community Share is a Full Share for those interested in helping out on the farm for a few hours during the season. We love to have people help out! It’s a great way for you to see the farm, meet the farmers and other shareholders, and take part in the harvest. Children are welcome! See the Sign Up page for more specific information on drop-sites and prices.
What do I get?
All of our vegetables are certified organic, and grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The practice of organic agriculture nurtures the farm as a natural organism. The goal is to establish and maintain an optimal balance of animal, plant and human activity in a self-sustaining system. Wholesome and delicious food is the result.
Here’s a sampling of some of the many items we aim to include in the shares each season. Each season’s weather is different however, so contents may vary:
Cool Weather Crops and Greens:
Arugula, asparagus, rhubarb, bok choi, collard greens, lettuce, kale, radishes, scallions, spinach, swiss chard, strawberries
Summer Crops:
Broccoli, red and green cabbage, eggplant, fennel, green beans, yellow beans, sugar snap peas, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, paste tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes
Root Crops:
Beets, carrots, daikon radish, garlic, leeks, onions, potatoes, parsnips, turnips
Vine Crops:
Cucumber, summer squash, winter squash, melons
Herbs:
Cilantro, dillweed, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, summer savory, sweet basil, thyme
Festivals:
There are farm festivals for shareholders and their families throughout the season. The Earth Day Celebration and Herb Sale in April kicks off the season. We celebrate the harvest with a Taste of Wellspring gourmet meal in August, with live music and awesome food right from the farm. The Harvest Fest is in October with hay rides, pumpkin carving, river walks and garden tours - a great time for families and it’s free!
New This Year, Winter Share!
For the 2012 Season we have added a three week, every other week Winter Share Option. The Winter Share provides a great way to eat locally and organically even later in the season because it includes crops with long-term storage ability in your fridge or a cool place in your home. It will consist of yummy root crops like carrots, potatoes, beets and parsnips, several types of winter squash, cold hearty favorites like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and herbs and much, much more!
