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I would take this opportunity to express to you how incredibly grateful we have been for your commitment to this endeavor.

Barney and I have talked at length about food this summer, the way it reflects so much who we are and our value system. Our choices in what we eat and the way we support the production of that food is a powerful way to make our impact in this crazy world. We often lament that the world at large is terribly misguided in the way the environment and it's citizens are treated. In returning to local farm based, organic, community inspired eating we gain a sense of power and satisfaction in striving to make the world more in tune with our hopeful vision. Thank you for being the catalyst for so many mini-revolutions! Rest assured we share our experiences with others and they in turn get excited and want some of the goodness we have found.

Besides fresh, vitamin rich, and delicious food, your boxes every week have given us a wonderful ritual. The ritual of excitedly anticipating the coming week's produce and heading over to the farm to collect it. It's always a pleasure to be heading down your driveway knowing a real present awaits! Our daughter has gained more appreciation for food and she'll eat veggies if we tell her that "Farmer Mark grew this especially for you!" I think she "gets" it that these gifts come from somewhere special and not just a package at the grocery store. That behind every lettuce leaf and each tomato is a human being who has worked hard and lovingly in providing these bounties for many to share. It is humbling and awe-inspiring to imagine the work that goes into each week's box and for that we are truly grateful. Feeling gratitude regarding food is really a new feeling for us. Of course we have always felt blessed to have food to eat, but the way we ate this summer bordered on the spiritual. It reconnected us to our planet, our community, our family, and ourselves.

Thank you Timken Farm for putting your heart and soul into what you do. It really does come through the food we eat.

We would be THRILLED to be on your list again for next year. Sign us up!

Gratefully,
J.G.

for a season of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Our shares are designed to provide ample produce for an average family. Our season is based on twenty weeks and begins in mid-May. Exact dates are weather and crop dependent. Cost of participation is $550.00 per share. (Payment plans are available upon request). This reflects a $27.50 weekly investment. We estimate our boxes will start out around 5 lbs and grow to over 20 lbs at their peak. Lettuce be your personal farmers! 

MEMBERSHIP FORM (PDF)*
MEMBERSHIP FORM (Plain Text)

What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
CSA is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership fee to cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing season. The arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and enables many small- to moderate-scale organic family farms to remain in business. Ultimately, CSA creates "agriculture-supported communities" where members receive a wide variety of foods harvested at their peak of ripeness, flavor and vitamin and mineral content.

  • provides farmers with direct outlets for farm products and ensures fair compensation
  • encourages proper land stewardship
  • strengthens local economies by keeping food dollars in local communities
  • directly links producers with consumers allowing people to have a personal connection with their food and the land on which it was produced
  • makes nutritious, affordable, wholesome foods accessible and widely available to community members. 

CSA is a relatively recent phenomenon in the United States and Canada. Teikei the CSA equivalent, which literally translated means "partnership" or "cooperation", was first developed in Japan, by a group of women concerned with the use of pesticides, the increase in processed and imported foods and the corresponding decrease in the farm population. The more philosophical translation for teikei is "food with the farmer's face on it." (Van En 1992).   In 1965 Japanese women initiated a direct, cooperative relationship in which local farmers were supported by consumers on an annual basis. 

In 1984 Jan Vander Tuin brought the concept of CSA to North America from Europe. Jan had co-founded a community-supported agricultural project named Topanimbur, located near Zurich, Switzerland. He introduced the idea to Robyn Van En at Indian Line Farm in S. Egremont, Massachusetts and the CSA concept in North America was born.
*From Robyn Van En website

*if required, you may download the FREE Adobe Reader to open the PDF document

 

 

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