CSA

What is a CSA?

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a structure to facilitate a direct relationship between farmers and CSA members based in mutual care, support and respect. CSA members buy a share for the growing season, often in the form of weekly or bi-weekly fresh vegetable boxes. A farmer requests upfront payment (or payment in some workable structure) so that they will be able to pay for seeds, equipment, or other supplies at the start of the season. CSA members share in the risks and rewards of seasonal local vegetable growing, and the grower uses intentional farming practices (such as planting a variety of vegetables and bumper crops, cover cropping, rotating crops, row covering, irrigating, etc.). Farming communities have used CSA models at different places and times. Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturalist, author and professor at Tuskegee University, created the Clientele Membership Club in the 1960s/70s, an early CSA model. Another such model was the Teikei system in Japan around the same time. Read more here.

Our CSA

As a CSA member, you can enjoy fresh, seasonal, organic, locally grown vegetables from approximately mid-June to mid-October (9 every other week boxes). You can also anticipate a newsletter with recipe shares, vegetable prep and storage tips and farm updates delivered to your email inbox. As a member, you are supporting our local food system, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting your local farmer. With community supported agriculture, you share in the risks and rewards of a growing season. 
We offer a variety of vegetables and herbs, including some varieties important to Sam’s Taiwanese roots. Each box contains a paper grocery bag’s worth of vegetables. Each box will vary slightly in volume or weight from week to week.
Pick up options:
  • Madison-East (near Yahara Place Park): Thursdays 3:30-6:30pm
  • Madison-Monona: Wednesdays 4:00-6:30pm  
  • Farley Center in Verona: Wednesdays 3:00-6:30pm

We use a sliding scale payment structure.

Sliding Scale Payment

Our sliding scale payment structure is intended to help make local organic vegetables affordable for everyone in a society that is not equitable. While it is not perfect, it is an attempt to create a payment structure that accounts for income, wealth, historical and societal inequities, contribution, and accessibility, while balancing the need to pay ourselves a livable wage. Eating fresh, local and sustainably farmed produce should be accessible for everyone!
We also offer solidarity (no-cost) shares, particularly for people living in food apartheid or for folks with less access to wealth, for whatever reason. 
We ask for upfront payment, but also accept payment in installments. Every other week: $325-425 (with $375 covering our expenses).

Vegetable Art Add-on

This year we are offering a vegetable art add-on option for our CSA members! Sign up for five vegetable inspired art deliveries arriving once a month with your CSA box. You'll receive a variety of items made by fellow Jumping Spider farmer Katie Schofield (cards, prints, postcards, stickers, etc.), all inspired by what's growing on the farm that month. 
Cost of the add-on is $60, and can be added to your total CSA payment. Visit Katie's website or find her on Instagram to see her previous work. 

FAQ

What happens if I forget my box?
Call or text Sam as soon as possible. They will get in touch with the site host to set up a later or alternate pick-up time. If we’re unable to make arrangements or get in touch with you, your box will be donated (and appreciated!).
What do I do if I’m going out of town?
If you’re going to be out of town on your pick-up day, you can either ask a friend to pick-up your box or choose to donate your box. Either way, please send us an email and let us know your plans. 
If we know at least 5 days in advance, we might be able to accommodate an alternate on-farm pick up, depending on veggie availability that week. Get in touch as soon as you know, and we can try to make something possible as best as we can.
Can I change my pick up site?
Yes, if you need to change pick up sites for just a week because a friend is picking up your box when you’re out of town, let us know at least 24 hours before your pick up time. However, it is not something we can do on a regular basis. If you need to change pick up sites because of a move, let us know and we will likely be able to switch your pick up site for the season.
Do you offer any add-ons?
This year we are offering a vegetable art add-on option for our CSA members! Sign up for five vegetable inspired art deliveries arriving once a month with your CSA box. You'll receive a variety of items made by fellow Jumping Spider farmer Katie Schofield (cards, prints, postcards, stickers, etc.), all inspired by what's growing on the farm that month. 
Cost of the add-on is $60, and can be added to your total CSA payment. Visit Katie's website cocoonery.com/work/vegetables or find her on Instagram instagram.com/cocoonery/ to see her previous work.