What is CSA?
CSA means Community Supported Agriculture. The term is also used to describe a community of individuals that as a group subscribe on a weekly basis to receive vegetable produce from our Farm All LLC., farm.
Community Supported Agriculture is a direct connection between the farmer/grower and the people who eat the food that they produce. At the very core of the CSA is a mutual commitment. The way it works is that the communities support the farmer for a season. CSA participants receive fresh, seasonal produce-- all sharing in the inherent risks and bountiful benefits of farming.
CSA's are an alternative to industrialized agriculture. We've all gone to the grocery store and purchased vegetables from piles of produce. But do we know where the food actually comes from? Where was that tasteless winter tomato grown? Exactly who grew it? Does it contain any genetically modified organisms? It's usually almost impossible to answer these questions. That is to trace the vegetables from the farm to the table. However CSA's can reconnect us with our food - by providing a tangible and hopeful solution. CSA's promote environmental stewardship, strong communities, economic sustainability and fair wages for farm workers.
By subscribing to receive weekly produce through your local CSA coordinator, you then become a member of that CSA. This means you agree to purchase a weekly produce for the specli'le -U' -duration of 12 weeks for a fixed pr-ice per week. CSA members receive a share of seasonally available freshly harvested vegetables. Every share will provide most of the salad and vegetable needs for a couple or small family unit for a weeks duration. Some CSA's also represent other farmers and provide other local products as well. And still other CSA's will provide newsletters, recipes, or even operate with the assistance of volunteers. CSA members pick up their produce share on the specific weekday at the pick up location, wherever that may be.
From season to season the produce selection varies. Winter crops are a variety of cooking and salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, root vegetables etc. Then as the year progresses, corn, onions, peas, cucumber, squash, tomatoes, melons, and more fresh vegetables become available. And there is always an opportunity to try a new vegetable or share a new recipe for preparing this most bountiful harvest!
Joining a CSA
Contact the CSA coordinator Annette Wilson at yogaatheart@aol.com or 602-568-1120.
How does the Phoenix Valley CSA's work?
Members sign a contract agreeing to join a CSA community with the designated produce coordinator, pick-up location, day and time. Members commit to support our regional farm and to share in the risks and rewards our harvests, to complete the subscription session and to prepay for the session. The Phoenix area member subscriptions run for a pre-paid 12 week session for $240 ($20 per week). If joining after a session has begun, the price can be pro-rated. Phoenix sessions run year round, and there will be an opportunity to renew your subscription at the end of each session. When your signed contract and full payment is received prior to the beginning of each session, your name will be added to the sign-in list. Each week when you visit the CSA pickup site, you will sign in that you are picking up your share. When you are unable to pick up your share, we recommend that you ask a friend or neighbor to pick up for you. They should provide their name in your place on the sign in sheet. If you cannot pick up a weekly share, it will be donated to the food bank, or the charitable designation affiliated with your CSA pickup site. The produce will be in various crates in the pickup area, Each crate will post the share portion you may take. Bring your own bags to gather your produce. Take the indicated portion from each crate.
What's in the weekly share?
Produce selection varies from season to season. Winter crops supply a variety of cooking and salad greens, root vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, carrots, and citrus. As Spring and Summer approach tomatoes, corn, peas, cucumbers, onions, melons, squash, and green beans, peaches and apricots come into the growing season, Commonly loved favorites are always included, and there is often an opportunity to try a new vegetable, or share a new recipe for preparing a bounteous harvest! Although a share does not guarantee a particular quantity of produce, a weekly share usually includes a portion of 8 different items depending on what is in season. Since we farm year around, the items vary throughout the year. Weekly portions generally supply a veggle portion daily for a couple or small family (about half a grocery bag full). Remember that heirloom vegetables are bred for flavor, not for looks or shelf life, therefore they may bruise easily.
Here is an example of what has been provided over the past year
(May 2)4 Grapefriut, 2lbs New Red LaSoda Potatoes, 2 Yellow Straightneck Squash, 0.4 lb. Salad mix, 1 bunch of Vates Kale, 0.41b. Snow peas, 1 Artichoke, and 1 bunch of Cherry Bell Radishes
(April 18) Cilantro, Garlic, New Ped LaSoda Potatoes, Navel Oranges, Beauregard Sweet Potatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Onions, Salad mix.
(April 25) Carrots, Garlic, Snow Peas, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Pinto Beans, Cabbage, and Salad mix.
(Sept- 27) 2 Onions, 1/4 lb. Green Beans, 1 lb. Tomatoes, 2 Pears, 2 Peaches, I bunch of Herb mix 1 lb. Sweet Potatoes, (Basil, Mint, Lemongrass)
(Oct, 25) 21b. Potatoes, 2 Apples, 1/2 lh.Red Bell Peppers, Salad mix, 1 bunch Red Russian Kale, roasted Green Chiles, Herbs, 1 lb. Tomatoes, 1 bunch of Turnips
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Farm All LLC crops organic?
A. All our produce is naturally grown, which means we use no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Our farm uses sustainable natural field management practices, providing a balance of weeds, crop rotation, naturally occuring predators, and diversity of crops that create a healthy environment for the foods that we produce. Gaining organic certification is a complex and expensive process. Our farm is not USDA organic certified. There are agricultural practices that are approved for USDA organic certified. We are "Certified Naturally Grown."
Q. Can I buy produce at the Farm All LLC. Farm?
A. Farm All does not currently sell its produce at its farms except during special events. Most of the produce is sold through CSA subscriptions in order to provide a feasible market to sustain our farm. You may contact us or our nearest CSA coordinator to subscribe to our weekly fresh produce.
Q. Where can I buy fresh produce from the Farm All LLC. Farm?
A. You may subscribe to receive a weekly supply of seasonal produce through the CSA that is nearest to you in your location. Farm fresh produce is brought from the farm to the CSA pick-up site on a scheduled weekday for you.
Q. Can I visit the Farm All LLC. Farm?
A. Farm All is open to the public only during special events. We are a small and very diverse operation without extra staff to host visits. We are not open to the public for visits or for sales of produce without special arrangements. Join one of our Phoenix Metro CSAS!
Farm All LLC. is growing our CSAs in the greater Phoenix area.
Please contact Annette Wilson 602-568-1120 for any questions.
About the Farm All LLC Farm
Farm All is owned by farmer Steve Bass. Farm All grows and suppjies
fresh produce for CSA's and farmers markets through subscriptions. We are both committed to sustainable farming using organic methods and regionally appropriate crops. The result is delicious quality, healthy produce. Farm All uses organic and heirloom seeds and farms without chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. The farm uses compost and mulch fertilizers, flood and drip irrigation. We are predominately supported through CSA subscriptions in order to maintain a sustainable farming operation and provide quality produce. CSA members purchase a subscription for a season of produce that is harvested and distributed weekly to each CSA community. What a great way to build a system that supports local, environmental and social responsibility, as well as a wonderful way to have healthy fresh produce for your family.
Irrigation
Urban farming is no easy task, especially here in Arizona. We use flood irrigation as well as drip irrigation to water crops. We must compete with residential water usage, so we must choose crops that use little water and channel the water to use every drop.
Sustainable Pest Control
We use sustainable agriculture methods to grow over 70% different crops each season. These methods work in a natural balance with the land to avoid the use of chemically derived pesticides or herbicides. One way we iei3i3n hnrmfiil nactr ;I%A/nX/ frnm tho t/pnpt;ihlpr, ir, tn ipt rrnnc liL-P ;iru !a, ii-li-and mustard greens flower. These flowers in turn attract ladybugs, birds and pollinators. These little creatures in turn feed on the harmful insects. They are a natural form of pest control. Another unique way of curbing pests on the farm is to plow down a row of crops and let the birds come in to eat the seeds and bugs. Our strong belief in sustainability reaches beyond our use of land and water, as we provide a living wage for the farm crew.
Native and Heirloom Crops
A major part of our interest in farming is native and heirloom crops. We grow native crops like the 1-toi onion because they take less care, are more resistant to bugs and take less water to grow. We also like to grow heirloom varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants despite their short shelf life because it is important to preserve the biodiversity of our food. And besides heirlooms taste better!
