CSA Garden Shares

**purktoni** · 03-23-2009, 05:57 PM

This topic was brought up before in response to a post by me, I looked further into it and the very next day I found out my Organic Co-op (which is also a farm) is starting this year a CSA Farm.

However, the shares go for $776 EACH! Is this alot? I have no idea how to compare it or to figure if its a good deal. Its supposed to be harvest enough to feed two adults and 4 children. Which, of course is exactly what my family is.

There are half share options as well. Also, you can work on the farm (but it doesn't go toward your share price) and there will be classes offered on gardening/canning and such.

Should I dive in? Or wait a year and see what happens?

TIA for any advice!
Toni

**IntlMom** · 03-23-2009, 06:28 PM

this is high, but it depends on where you are, how big your box is, what's in it, where you on in the country, and how long your share lasts.

I paid 225.00 for a half share last summer - 16 weeks, think

You can always go to localharverst.org and look for others in your area if you want to compare

HTH

**redmaples** · 03-23-2009, 07:09 PM

It does seem like a lot to me, but I don't know what a good share price is for a CSA. How many weeks are you gauranteed a box of food?

I've been wanting to try this myself, but the closest organic farm w/ a csa is 30 min away. they require 4 hours work a week & $350 for a share.
I just keep thinking I could buy a lot at the farmers market on an as needed basis for that much. I also have my own garden.

Being part of an organic farming community & learning seems like a great experience though.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-23-2009, 11:03 PM

Mine was going to be $275 for 21 weeks, for "two adults who like veggies". I didn't get one of the slots so I don't know how much that was for real. I do know it was about $13 a week for produce, which is about what I spend at the grocery store, so it didn't seem unreasonable.

**geckoace** · 03-24-2009, 01:04 PM

we pay about 300 for a half share with no work required this year. last year we got produce from may to october with a few bunches of greens and broccoli all the way to thanksgiving.

we eat alot of produce so it saved us money and i liked having the rate locked in, it helped me budget.

**cheriede** · 03-27-2009, 08:06 AM

Mine is $591 a share. I've never done this before either. There is an information meeting tomorrow about it and I may look to attend. It does sound interesting.

**HandyMom** · 03-28-2009, 10:44 AM

Expensive. I tried one last year. There were weather related problems that seem to occur every year which limited the amount and variety of crops we got. I was not happy with it at all so this year I will be going to the farmer's market to purchase those few items I like best and I can guarantee you I will save a couple hundred right there by doing it "my way" rather than the farmer's way.

Good Luck to you. I read somewhere that there is a 70% turnover rate for most CSA's. So more than half don't sign up the next year.

**purktoni** · 03-30-2009, 02:32 PM

Thank you for all of your input. I mainly like the idea of my kids being involved and the CSA Garden and Organic Farm is the same that runs the ORganic co-op I belong to. It sounds from their newsletter that they have alot instore for its members, so I'm sure there will be other opportunities.

I think I will pass on a share this year and do the Farmer's market thing like was suggested. I just can't fork out that kind of money- I could never be a farmer!

**purktoni** · 03-30-2009, 02:51 PM

Ok, alot of the other CSA's in my area have their listings up, and it is definitely more expensive. If I want a full share for no work its only $500 at another CSA garden. That's still more than I'm able to pay right now, however, there's another one that's $50 for their "standard"- I'm waiting to hear back what that means!