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What is a CSA?

A CSA is a straightforward system that brings together community members, farmers and agricultural land into a relationship of support.  Based on an annual commitment to one another, community members provide a pre-season payment to purchase a “share” of the season’s harvest.  The member then receives a weekly box of a wide variety of fresh organic vegetables and fruit through the growing season, harvested at the peak of ripeness and flavor delivered to a convenient location in your neighborhood.

What is a Share (and what is it worth) ?
With a pre-season payment you may purchase a “share” of the farm’s summer and fall harvest.  You then receive a weekly box of fresh, organic produce through our 26 week harvest cycle, mid-June into mid-December.  In signing up, you dedicate yourself to being our customer for the season.  This provides the farm with a secure market for all our growing efforts.  The farm, in turn, commits to providing an abundant, diverse and quality array of vegetables and fruit.

In a strictly dollars and cents view, the worth of a share does represent a fair price for the produce offered ~ if such food could be comparably found in supermarkets.  More philosophically, the worth of a share is certainly linked with the value you place upon eating fresh, locally grown food, knowing who it is that grows your food, sustainable methods of food production, in keeping our locally economy robust and your own eating habits and life style.

How Does a Working Share Work?
A working share is for folks with limited cash but available time.  So in return for a discounted Share rate, you help us on the farm with CSA tasks.  The tasks can be anything from weeding and harvesting, to picking flowers or helping us pack boxes.  The work requirements are 18 hours of work during the season, with no less than two hours at a time.  This is a great way for folks to get involved with their food and know how and where it comes from!

Can I Pay in Installments?
Yes.  Although we prefer to have payments in full as soon as possible (so we can cover our operating costs) we also understand that the CSA system doesn’t always work with life’s other money allocations.  So if you want to become a member and are concerned with how to pay, give us a call and we can work something out. 

What is a shareholder?
In signing up with Grant Family Farms CSA, you commit to being our customer, a shareholder, for the season.  This provides us with a secure market, a guaranteed outlet for our produce and a fair return for our dedicated efforts to be your farmer.

What does it mean to be a shareholder?
We will do our best to provide you with a bounty of fine produce each week.  A premise of a CSA is that the shareholder, through the vegetables, shares the farmer’s experiences of Nature.  Weather difficulties may alter a crop outcome though it is unlikely to eliminate all your vegetables.  As Nature is unable to offer guarantees, nor are we.

What types of shares are there?
Grant Family Farms CSA offers several types of shares.

• Family Share:  Supplies 2-4 adults with weekly produce and averages   15-20 lbs or 1 ½ -2 regular grocery sacks.
  The cost is $725 and runs for 26 weeks (June through mid-December)  
• Small Share: Supplies 2 adults with weekly produce and are about half of the bounty of the full share. The cost is $465 and runs for 26 weeks 
• Working Share: Designed for members with available time and limited cash. In return for a commitment of time to assist the CSA, we reduce the cost of the share. It is a full share of produce. We offer a limited number of these shares, the cost is $635.
• Supported Share: A supported share is one funded through a member or an organization's donation. You may designate the recipient of your choice or allow us to choose the recipient. Your purchase of a share assists us to provide food to even greater numbers in our community. Grant Family farms will match each supported share purchased. Would you consider purchasing a share to be donated to the Food Bank, a family in need or an organization of your choice?
• Cut-Flower Share: Providing members with a beautiful, fresh and colorful bouquet from mid-summer through early autumn, 10 weeks. It is picked up with your produce share. We offer a limited number of Flower Shares.   The cost is $120. This year we expect the bouquets to be MUCH bigger than in 2007; the hail storms last July were very hard on the flower gardens.
• Egg Share: You have the option to receive a dozen or two dozen eggs delivered to your pickup for the entire 26 week season.  The costs are: 1 dozen/week-$117 or 2 dozen/week-$208.
• Meat Chickens and Heritage Turkeys, throughout the season we will be offering chickens and turkeys raised on our farm for your family and friends to enjoy.

How much food is in the Full CSA Share?
Early in the season boxes are typically lighter than in the fullness of summer when boxes bulge with bounty.  Boxes average 15-20 pounds of produce each week.  One share generally feeds 2-4 adults.

What will I get each week?
A variety of veggies from these categories will be included each week as they mature with the season.

For shareholders we will provide a separate and more complete list of the crops we will grow and the anticipated weeks of their availability.

How long is the season?
The CSA season is 26 weeks, beginning in June and continuing into December.

Is the produce organic?
Yes, Grant Family Farms CSA is certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

What if I live alone, or have a small family? 
We offer Small Shares for those of which a Family Share would be too much food to eat in a week. 

How does sharing or splitting a box work?
For shareholders who may feel a full share of produce is too much food, we welcome you to initiate splitting a box with friends, family or neighbors.  We leave this responsibility to the shareholders and box mates.  How you split the produce is your decision.  Sharing a box requires extra care that your group picks up only one box each week.  Please coordinate this amongst yourselves in advance.

Should I let the farm know if I decide to share a box?
Yes.  We do require the complete contact information for all persons involved in splitting a box to ensure everyone is informed of farm news, notices and changes specific to shareholders.  We keep track of those who share a box and include all box mates in correspondence, provide newsletters and email updates.

What if I do not know how to use ~ or even recognize! ~ the vegetables in my box?
Not to worry!  With each box shareholders receive a newsletter to help acquaint you with the produce and it culinary possibilities.  Asking another shareholder “What is this?” is a terrific community builder!

Am I able to choose what goes in my share box?
No.  All our boxes are packed for you from the vegetables available each week.  Everyone will receive the same variety of vegetables.  We do not customize boxes.
You are welcome to take advantage of our Trade Box.

What is the Trade Box?
This is a box at the pick-up site that serves as a trading place.  A shareholder may leave items you do not especially care for in the box for others to pick up and to help yourself to items left by others.  Keep in mind to share contents of the Trade Box!

How often do I receive a box of produce?
You will receive a box once a week during our 26 week harvest season, starting in mid-June, through mid-December.

Where will I pick up my box?
We will provide specific pick-up instructions in April.  We will make great effort to make pick-up sites functional for our members.

At what times will my box be available for pick-up?
Look for further detail on pick-up times in April.

Can I pay extra to have the farm deliver my box to my home?
No, the CSA does not offer that service.
   
What do I do if I am on vacation or am unable to pick up my box?
CSA members may have a guest pick up their food while away or if unable to pick up their share box.  We ask you to let the farm know in advance that a guest will retrieve your box.  This is often a great way to share some of the harvest with friends, family or neighbors.  When you do have a guest pick up your box, provide the pick-up instructions for them!  This prevents confusion and miscommunications.  If no one picks up your share the produce will be donated to the local food charity.

How do I sign up?
You may download the application found on our website or use the application form with the brochure and send it to the farm with your check.  Be sure to completely fill out the entire application.

Is there a deadline for signing up?
There is no deadline for signing up for the season.  All our shares are sold on a first come basis and are available until we are sold out.  It is best to consider signing up early in order to not miss out.

How do I pay for my membership and my shares?
You may download our application from the website or use the one found with the brochure and send it to us by mail with a check included.  Currently we accept Visa and Mastercard by phone or internet only.

How do I contact the farm?
Grant Family Farms is a modern farm!  You may contact us via mail, phone, fax, email and through our website.  Our preference is to receive an email.

Grant Family Farms CSA
1020 WCR 72
Wellington, CO 80549
Telephone: 970.568.7654
Fax: 970.568.7655
Web: www.grantfarms.com
Email:  josh@grantfarms.com