Willowlyn Farms Produce, LLC Practices, Policies, and FAQs
General
How long is the Willowlyn growing season?
We start planting in February/March of each year. The first harvest occurs in May and continues through November and December.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program
What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The USDA's definition says: "CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Members and shareholders of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season."
- USDA Definition: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csadef.shtml
What happens when things go sour?
Unlike other industries, there are many elements in the agriculture business that are solely in Mother Nature's hands.
Rain, temperature, insects, animals, hail, snow, and thousands of other variables have affected farming since the beginning of time.
These variables will continue to affect growing seasons in years to come.
We take as many precautions as possible to minimize the damage to your produce share, including the application of irrigation, natural insecticides, and natural fertilizers.
However, you should not be surprised to find imperfections in your weekly share.
Willowlyn Farms Produce CSA subscriptions are available for the Full Season (May - Nov), Summer Only (May - Sep) and Fall Only (Sep - Nov) shares.
A seasonal subscription provides a weekly share of produce (enough for 2-4 adults) for pickup by the subscriber.
In the event of a catastrophic crop failure, your subscription may be refunded at a pro-rated amount at the grower's discretion.
Can I order for part of a season?
Our subscriptions are available for an entire growing season; summer and/or fall. We currently do not have any partial season subscriptions.
Suggestion: If a full share is too much, consider splitting a share with a family member, friend, or neighbor.
In our eyes, it's still one share with the same commitment and price.
How you split it up is up to you to manage.
Where can I pickup my weekly share?
Specific pickup location shall be provided when a subscription is purchased. Pickup locations are available in the following areas:
- Catlett, VA -- Tuesday Pickup (6-7pm)
- Fredericksburg, VA -- Thursday Pickup (6-7pm)
- King George, VA -- Friday Pickup (8am)
- Culpeper, VA Farmers Market -- Saturday Pickup (7:30am-12 noon)
Do I need to bring a container to transport my share?
Willowlyn Farms Produce CSA will provide two containers (3/4 Bushel wax produce boxes) for each CSA shareholder to transport the produce.
Each week you will swap out you empty container when you pick up your share.
What if I can't pick up my produce one week?
Joining a CSA is a season long commitment.
We plant our crops in stages to ensure a variety of vegetables throughout the growing season.
These planting stages are planned at the beginning of each season to ensure we will have enough variety and yield to go around.
You are responsible for ensuring your share is picked up each week.
There are no rollovers, refunds, or "extras" another week if you miss a pickup.
You are expected to make other arrangements for your share if you will be unable to pick it up (includes expected and unexpected absences).
Suggestion: If you are unable to pick up your weekly share, consider having a friend, family member, or neighbor pickup your share so they may enjoy your share.
We request that you notify us if someone else will be picking up your share for a specific week.
Refunds
When you subscribe to a CSA, you are making a commitment to the farm as much as the grower is making a commitment to you.
What you will enjoy during the summer and/or fall, was planned, planted, cared for, and cultivated from a seedling months before the harvest.
If for any reason you subscribe to the CSA and find you cannot continue your commitment for the entire season, it is your responsibility to find someone to take over your share and payment.
In short, this is a non refundable commitment.
How much will be in each weekly share?
The amount of produce will vary each week and will peak during mid to late summer months. Each weekly share will be enough for 2-4 adults.
What will be available each week?
The variety of produce changes throughout the season.
The following is a list of the produce that is planned for the summer and fall seasons.
A list of produce that will be coming soon will be updated monthly and included in your weekly produce box.
Each week you will receive an assortment of the crops ready for harvest.
|
May - June
Arugula
Black Berries
Blueberries
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Onions
Mesclun Mix
Radishes
Romaine
Spinach
Strawberries
Sugar Snap Peas
Swiss Chard
Fresh Herbs
|
July - September
Apples
Cantaloupe
Cucumbers
Egg Plant
Green Beans
Lima Beans
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Peaches
Potatoes
Squash & Zucchini
Sweet Corn
Tomatoes (a variety)
Watermelon
Fresh Herbs
|
September - October
Acorn Squash
Apples
Butternut Squash
Broccoli
Cabbage
Collard Greens
Green Beans
Kale
Romaine
Lettuce
Pumpkins
Squash & Zucchini
Sweet Potatoes
Fresh Herbs
|
Other things to consider with a CSA (Pros and Cons)
- In the old days, a CSA was started when a group of people pooled their hard earned dollars together, bought a plot of land, and joined together to cultivate their food.
Today, the concept of a CSA survives with a 21st century spin.
In today's world, we want the convenience of a grocery store and the freshness of a backyard garden (without all of the work involved).
The locally grown products of a CSA can afford you the freshness and convenience with the added knowledge of exactly where your produce comes from.
- A CSA is not a traditional store.
You are buying a share of the harvest.
We supply vegetables that are currently in season and are ready for harvest.
This may not necessarily go with your meal plan for the week.
Whether we have a surplus or shortage, all subscription holders get a fair share of the weekly harvest.
- You will be receiving all kinds of vegetables throughout the growing season.
You may find that you get vegetables you have never tried before or even ones you dislike.
I love beets, but my wife thinks they taste like the dirt they were grown in and she is happy to share our beets with anyone who will take them.
We hope you will also be able to find a happy home for all your produce, whether in your home or another's.
With our CSA, everyone gets a fair share of everything and enough for approximately 2-4 adults.
Offering locally grown produce at Wholesale, Retail, and Seasonal Subscription pricing.
