(Printed newsletter begins last week of May)

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Anyone who owns a computer knows they can be a great tool… when they work as they should. Not so on the farm last week. Not to go into the gory details, but it took three solid days of work to recover what was lost due to a hard drive crash in the main server in our network. What does this have to do with veggies? Well, let's just say that it's put us behind a bit and that's why Monday's update is a little late. So here goes . . .

The response to our spring direct mailing has been great and new members are joining up regularly. We are very pleased with how this first year with our CSA is shaping up. Ideally we would like to have at least 25 members in this first year and we are well on the way to that goal. New members are receiving a coupon in their membership packets that will give them 10 percent off their 2007 membership if the person they list on that coupon signs up. Details are on the back of the coupon.

Annie's Acres is literally an answer to this family's prayers. We are pleased to see it growing so well. Community Supported Agriculture is in part a way of revitalizing the small family farm. The small farming unit has been under fire in the last few decades and most small farms have fallen into disrepair or have been incorporated into larger tracts of land that are run corporately. CSA's have been proven to make the much needed difference in the survival of the small family farm. Although it is not a new concept, it is relatively new to this area. For the most part, the formation and organization of the Annie's Acres CSA is a "learn as you grow" endeavor. We tread upon unfamiliar ground! We are so encouraged that our new members have chosen to join us on this quest of family farming. As this is new to us, we will rely on your input and feedback. We will strive to repay your faithfulness with hard work and attention to detail.

. . . most often means being left in the dark about its origin or quality. As the supermarkets become larger, their suppliers increasingly become "mega farms" or large conglomerate agri-businesses. Large operations of this nature are not able to produce foods without "pushing" agriculture to its limits by chemical and artificial means. The end result is most often food of compromised quality and safety. There is also an unbelievable amount of waste through spoilage in transit and storage. Most supermarkets experience waste of more than 40% of the produce they get off the trucks.

Community Supported Agriculture is an approach to farming that creates a unique teamwork between the consumer and the farmer. It is a relationship of mutual trust and support. The consumer agrees to help support the farm economically with the payment of an annual fee. The farmer agrees to provide the best possible quality products and deliver them conveniently to the customer.

By participating in a CSA, you can be confident about the quality and integrity of the food on your table. You will be working with us to support the local economy and a way of life that fosters stewardship of the land and respects God's creation. With a CSA. . . . . . everyone wins!

Our CSA is based on "shares". One share is the amount of product that a family of four would normally consume in one week. (about one grocery bag) If a family chooses the "one share" plan, they would receive that amount of produce every week starting the last week of May and continuing through the last week of October. You can chose one share or a half share. Members can choose how they want to receive a "half share". You can either get a full share box every other week, or half a box every week. CSA members fill out a survey early each year in which they select from the list of available produce and show other preferences. This survey is then used as a guide when their share boxes are filled. Items (in season) above and beyond the normal share can be ordered at any time for delivery with your share. In addition to produce, members could receive items such as; honey, eggs, flowers, granola, homemade hand soap, beeswax candles, and a variety of other items as they are available.

Share boxes are picked up at drop off points in various communities at a designated time each week. They can also be picked up at the farm or for a small fee can be delivered to your door. We are still working out some of these detail and will have more information and updates on drop-off points in upcoming weeks.

Members can join us on the farm by "working off" a up to 25% of their share cost. This provides much needed help and lets us get to know each other. Farm work might include planting, weeding, harvesting, or packing product in share boxes.

A newsletter is available to all members that contains news and helpful information including food preparation ideas. It will also serve as a sounding board for CSA and Sustainable Farming related topics.

 

 

So what is a "Share Box"

The "Share Box" is a waxed cardboard box that measures 11" x 15" x 6". This is approximately 1/2 bushel. It will be packed according to the preferences that you provided on your membership application form and on the Spring Survey Sheet that you received with your membership packet. There is a plastic pouch on the box that will contain your weekly newsletter, a post card you can use to contact us, and a packing card that travels with the box. Boxes are reused but are retired when they are no longer serviceable.

Peas, Beans, Rutabagas, Beets, Okra, Brussels sprouts, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Egg plant, Onions, Peppers, Cauliflower, Herbs, Fresh Spices, Summer and Winter squash, Dill, Chives, Parsley, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Rhubarb, Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Kohlrabi, Cucumbers, Horseradish, Red and Green Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus, and other items as available.

Other food item you can get at a slight additional cost are, Honey, Honey candy, Honey straws, Granola, and Eggs. You can either call, email us, or use the order card in the plastic pouch on your returned share box to order these additional items. None food items such as flowers, gourds, Indian corn, beeswax candles and homemade hand soaps are ordered in the same manner. A more complete listing of produce and other items will be included on this web site and also in the printed newsletter as they become available. Honey items can be seen on the Ranum's 1887 Brand home page(click on link below).

It's easy, just fill out a membership application form (click on link below to download pdf version of form) and mail it with a check(s) to us at the address below. You will then receive a membership packet that will tell you more about our CSA project. The packet will have survey form in it that will provide choices for you to customize your share box. It will also supply us with other needed information about you that will help us serve you better. All information we collect from you is kept absolutely private and is used only for the purposes of this CSA. Return the form to:

To download a pdf copy of an application form to become a member of Annie's Acres, click on the link below. You will need to have a copy of Acrobat Reader installed on you computer. You may also call or write for an application packet and we will mail it to you.

Download Membership Form Now

Please visit this sight occasionally as we will be updating it every week. (once a month during produce season)

Warm wishes!

Annie, Mark, Teresa, and Vannesa

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