Vegetable and Flower Shares for 2008

How Does It Work?

Stearns Farm CSA is a non-profit corporation funded primarily by the sale of shares in the harvest, with help from volunteers, foundations, and individual donors.

During the 2008 growing season Kathy Huckins will produce a wide variety of naturally grown vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers as shown above. You will be notified when pick-ups begin in June. One share feeds two adults and one or two children.

A share costs $575, plus a minimum of 12 hours of field labor. Six hours must be completed by July 14th. If you are unable to help out in the fields you may pay $8/hour and we will hire a field hand to work in your place.

Starting the week of June 10th you come to the farm once a week to choose your share of food from the day's harvest. Shares vary from 5 to 15 pounds depending on the crops in season. You may also pick your own herbs, flowers, berries, and selected vegetables. The harvest season lasts about 20 weeks, ending in October.

Alternate WeekShares

Because regular shares are too large for some people, for 2005 we introduced Alternate Week Shares. With alternate week shares you pick up your share every other week. An alternate week share costs $315. Alternate week share pickup begins on either the week of June 15th or of June 22nd, depending on your assigned week.

Work Commitment

To help with the unending tasks associated with farming and to keep share prices down we require a total of 12 hours of work per share during the season (6 hours for Alternate Week shares). This could include transplanting in the greenhouse, planting, weeding, or harvesting. We need help especially in May & June. Most of our members enjoy working in the garden but if time is an issue, teen-agers are available to work your commitment for $8 an hour. At least half of your work hours must either be performed or paid for by July 14.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities:

Stearns Farm relies heavily on the work of volunteers, mostly sharers but also some non-sharers. We have lots of opportunities including fundraising, odd jobs (like plumbing, machine repair, carpentry, grounds upkeep), field and greenhouse work, serving on committees or the board of directors. Please Take the Volunteer Interest Survey to see what else you can do.

Work for Share

A limited number of 'Work-for-Shares' are available. In return for making a commitment to work 3-4 hours/week from mid-April through mid-November working sharers receive a generous share of the harvest. You must be physically fit for the demands of farm work. Call Kathy Huckins at 508-393-8695 for more information. The registration fee is $75. Work-for-share application form.

Pick-up Days and Hours:

Pick-up hours for the 2007 season are:

• Tuesday 2:00 - 7:00 pm
• Friday 2:00 - 7:00 pm

Register early to get your first choice!

If for any reason you cannot pick up your share, you are welcome to give the opportunity to a friend. Excess crops will be donated to charity.
We members share the risk with the farmer, along with the animals, insects and seasons.