Community Supported Agriculture at Spoutwood Farm

Welcome to Spoutwood Farm

Do you want vegetables that dance?

An Overview of this Page:

What is Community Supported Agriculture?
What can I expect to receive as a member?

What is Community Supported Agriculture?

.Imagine food production as a shared resource for the well-being of your community.

CSA is a mutually beneficial relationship in which a farm supports the community's needs for fresh, nutritious, wholesome food, and community support allows a farmer to devote his/her energies to gentle, concientious and sustainable farming practices. CSA members working in the garden -photo by Roland Rode

Members of a CSA share both the harvests and costs equally with other members and the farmers. The community of members pledges to support the farm with an annual financial commitment. The amount of the commitment is detemined by a detailed budget which is created to suit the needs of the community.

Spoutwood Farm CSA (now in our 10th year!) has a dedicated core group which has been meeting for years to continue the work of the CSA. The core group includes interested community members, the farmer/gardeners, and the owners of Spoutwood Farm. Cooperatively they organize and make decisions about distribution, finances, outreach and events.

No farm work is required of the shareholders/members, although they are encouraged to visit the farm, explore the gardens, have picnics, or volunteer as often as they wish. Harvest and volunteer parties will be held when extra hands are needed.

What can I expect to receive as a member?.

22 weeks of organically-grown produce (Spoutwood grows everything using organic methods as perscribed by the USDA for compliance with the National Organic Program and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 65. Spoutwood Farm CSA is not certified "Organic" (now a trademark), as the expense at this time is prohibitive. Organic certification is not a guaranty of quality or purity of the product. Rather, it is evidence of the operation's adherence to a prescribed system of agriculture and food production that involves the building and enhancing of the soil naturally, protection of the environment, humane treatment of animals and avoidance of toxic synthetic substances, all of which Spoutwood Farm CSA has been doing for years.)

An open invitation to visit the farm and share in the gardening

An opportunity to pick up your food at the farm or at central locations in York

A direct connection to the farm and farmers

A fair price based on a well thought-out budget

Annual membership gathering

Workshops for adults and children

Members Handbook with receipts (recipes) and information on the various vegetables

Weekly Harvest guide (provided on-line and with the harvest pick-up)

Knowledge that your food is grown without harm to the water and soil

Opportunities to pick your own flowers and vegetables

Three Useful Resources

Harvest Chart .. Membership Form