Community Supported Agriculture
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL.
Family Farms provide:
Food Security; Farmland Preservation; Quality of Life; Locally Grown Foods; Taste. Quality. Freshness.
Thank you for considering an investment in the health of our family farm. Shares are limited, so sign up today!
What is a CSA?
The average vegetable bought at a supermarket or eaten at a restaurant travels more than 2,500 miles from the farm to the consumer. A CSA helps you know your farmer personally and to visit the farm so you know first-hand where your food is coming from and how it is grown.
Liberty Mills Farm is a family owned and operated farm located in Somerset, Virginia (Orange County). We are excited to be able to offer a CSA to those living in Central Virginia. In a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture) members have the opportunity to share in the bounty of the harvest by making a financial commitment with the local farmer. At Liberty Mills Farm we want to provide each member with individualized attention and the highest quality produce, so we are limiting the number of shares. This may mean that we will sell out quickly, so be sure to join early!
How Does it work?
Liberty Mills Farm CSA members pay for a Full or Half Share to be picked up once a week from June 12 (at the farm) or June 19 (at a designated pick-up location). You will receive a bag/box of produce each week. When picking up your share, please bring a container to transfer your produce. You may also purchase an extra container from us that is replaced each week.
In addition, CSA members will receive a 10% discount on additional produce grown at Liberty Mills Farm and will be invited to a pot-luck dinner and preview event for our 2012 Corn Maze.
What’s in a Share?
Your weekly share will usually consist of 6-10 different items each week. A Half Share is approximately 3-10 lbs. of freshly harvested produce each week, enough vegetables for 1-2 people. A Full Share is approximately 5-18 lbs. and provides enough vegetables for 3-5 people. Each week you will receive different varieties of vegetables that are fresh and in season. Please note that quantities will vary over the season, with a higher variety and quantity of produce available mid-late summer.
Produce grown includes beans, broccoli, chard, cucumbers, kohlrabi, kale, lettuce, melons, peas, onions, sweet and hot peppers, summer squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, winter squash, cooking pumpkins, and herbs. Each week we will send out our email newsletter, Veggie Patch, with farm news and preparation tips and recipes. Please note that weather and other unpredictable factors may effect the quantity or type of produce available during the season.
What is my Responsibility as a Member?
A CSA creates a direct relationship between the farmer and the consumer. CSA members should understand what it means to eat seasonally and that weather can have a dramatic effect on the growing season and consequently the size and quality of produce. Shares early in the season will be smaller than shares in July and August and there won’t be tomatoes in June, but when they do ripen, they will be the best tasting tomatoes you have ever eaten!
What are the potential risks of becoming a Member?
By becoming a member, you share the risk of the farmer. If there are hailstorms that damage or destroy crops, you will receive less crops. If it rains straight for 2 months or the temperature is too low or extremely high, the quantity and quality of food will be impacted. We guarantee that we will do everything possible to provide you with as much quality produce as possible.
What is your farming philosophy?
Liberty Mills Farm follows sustainable farming methods in the production of our fruits, produce and grains. These organic and sustainable methods of farming include plasticulture, companion planting and no-till. Last year alone we spent over 200 hours hand pulling weeds from the vegetables and pumpkin patch. We do believe that our members prefer that our produce be top quality with “no worms in the corn” and will work diligently to provide you with the healthiest, freshest, top quality produce available in the area. Certain crops may be sprayed to save or preserve them. Whenever possible we will minimize spraying. After all, our own family will be eating the same produce as you. and we are passionate about sustaining the land for future generations.
What is the share price based on?
Farmers have substantial operating costs, including the cost for seed, plants, equipment, irrigation, insurance, etc. These costs are figured and taken into account along with the retail value of the product you will be receiving. In 2012, a Full Share picked up on the Farm will cost an average of $25 per week or $6.25 per person per week in a family of four. You can reduce this cost by paying in full by February 15, 2012. Liberty Mills Farm’s CSA pricing is extremely competitive with the other CSA’s in the area and you can be assured that we sincerely appreciate your commitment to our farm and will do everything possible to give you a fair value for your investment.
What do I do when I’m on Vacation or I can’t pick up my share?
You may assign a neighbor to pick up your share during your vacation week or can’t make it at your appointed time. If you do not pick-up or if you notify us you will be gone, we will share your CSA that week with other CSA members or donate it to a local family, food pantry or non-profit organization. If you do miss a weekly share, we will not provide double produce the next week as it is not fair to the other members. Pick-ups must be made within the allotted timeframes.
For Farm Pick-Up, you must designate a day (Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday) for your regular pick-up time. This day may be changed for a specific week if we are notified no later than Sunday at 9:00 p.m. of the week of the change.
How does the Delivery Option work?
We have four delivery locations identified for 2012. You will need to pick up your share at that location at the appointed time. Missing the time will mean we will divide your share among other CSA members that week or donate it to a local family, food pantry or non-profit organization. Times are subject to change based on volume:
Locust Grove Town Center (3:30-4:00 p.m. Tuesdays)
Culpeper CFC Farm & Home Center (4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays)
Ruckersville TBD (11:00-11:30 Thursdays)
Charlottesville – UVA Campus Location (12:15-1:00 p.m. Thursdays)
For more information, email csa@libertymillsfarm.com or call Kent or Evie at 540-672-8471.
Fresh produce grown just for you
