Community Supported Agriculture re-connects farmers and consumers in an economic model of shared risk and shared reward. Members of a CSA pay for an entire season of vegetables for their household up-front ahead of the coming season, or establish a payment plan if necessary. This is when farmers need money for seed, supplies, labor and equipment. In return members receive a weekly share in the farm's harvest from June-October. Our CSA community is a place where members share recipes with one another, meet other families and neighbors, and spend time in the farm's pick-your-own garden full of flowers, herbs and vegetables.
How does CSA work?
Each week, June through October, members come out to the farm to pick up their share of fresh, local produce expertly harvest in addition to a few crops throughout the season we buy in from local farms. Members will always know where their food comes from and it will always be fresh and of the highest quality.
What are the benefits of CSA?
Members receive an excellent value, the highest quality produce, and the convenience of a preserved farm right in our community. CSA empowers consumers with the knowledge of where their food comes from, how it was grown, and a unique opportunity to be a part of a farm. It empower farmers by building lasting relationships with the community who support their craft. Lastly, the pick-your-own garden is a also a huge benefit allowing members to get out and enjoy all the garden has to offer.
What size CSA share should I get?
We intend for our LARGE share to be enough food to feed two that love vegetables in almost every meal or a larger household who use some vegetables daily in their diet. Our SMALL Share is typically a good amount for a household of 2 that like vegetables in several meals a week or a larger household that is new to seasonal vegetable eating or eats out a few days a week. If this is your first year doing a CSA, please consider trying a SMALL share. Large shares will typically have 10-12 items while small shares average 8-10.
What will be in my CSA Share?
Careful planning, experience & the weather will determine what is in season and in how much. We work hard to curate a diverse selection of vegetables each week with standards like lettuce, tomatoes and zucchini as well as less common flavors such as fennel, arugula, and delicata squash. Your season will be a shared adventure in local, seasonal eating. We are here to help guide you through!
Do I have a choice of what items I can take each week?
We will select the vegetables you receive in your share each week. We strive for variety. Many weeks your share will include an choices for members to make. For instance: choose 1 pint snap peas or 1 pint cherry tomatoes. Occasionally, we offer some items, which we have in abundance, as "free choice" and households can choose how much they need for the week. If there is ever an item you do not care for, simply leave it for another family or for donation to The Monocacy Farm Projectin Bethlehem.
What happens if I cannot pick up my CSA share?
We want you to eat the produce we grow for you! We therefore try our best to be as accommodating as we are able, to help work with your needs & busy schedules. With prior notice you are welcome to switch your pick-up day from Tuesday to Friday or from Friday to Tuesday. You are also welcome to send a friend, neighbor, or family member to pick-up your share (this is a great way to share abundance with the ones you love). With prior notice we are likely able to pack up your share for pickup the next day as well. If your share is not picked up, and no prior arrangements have been made, we will donate it to The Monocacy Farm Projectin Bethlehem.
Do I have to do my Pick-Your-Own on a Tuesday or Thursday during CSA pick-up hours?
No, you are welcome to come to the farm to do your PYO for the week anytime Monday-Saturday during daylight hours. The farm is closed on Sundays. If your CSA pick-up day is rainy, or you're just tight on time, feel free to come back another day to pick in the sun, or spend time leisurely picking with your family! Just be mindful that this will be largely self-serve since the farm crew will surely be involved in other farm work.
What are your growing practices?
Good farming depends on observation, traditional knowledge, physical labor, and love of place. Farmers must be supported by their community economically to enable them to do this important work of food provisioning and land stewardship. At Good Work Farm we try to farm well through careful planning, paying attention & constantly learning.
We farm on a small scale and market locally. We have been growing to organic standards for the past six years, but are not yet certified organic. We purchase organic seeds whenever possible. We never use Genetically Modified (GMO/ GE) or chemically treated seeds. We only use organically approved fertilizers, amendments, and materials. We use practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry and pollinator habitat to reduce erosion, build soil fertility, improve soil structure, and encourage soil biology. We take seriously our responsibility to care for our common home.
What if I have more questions?
Reach out to farmer Anton at 610-390-5777 or [email protected], we look forward to hearing from you.