Friday, February 10, 2012

2012 Farm Share Information

For 2012 we are offering individual Farm Shares available in any amount, in limited quantity.  Shares are ideally purchased early in the season (January-June), as this helps with planning and capital investments, but a Farm Share can be purchased anytime of season--as long as you feel you'll have enough time to use it.  

Farm Share certificates will be mailed out to you after receiving payment in full, and can be used like cash, all season long, for purchases on-farm, special orders or from farmers' markets.  For 2012 we will plan to be at the New Ulm Saturday farmers' market and in Madelia on Wednesdays.



2012 ORDER FORM:  download or email us at alternativerootsfarm@yahoo.com


Payment
To receive your Farm Share complete the order form and submit it with a check for the full amount of the share.

Farm Shareholder responsibilities
Purchasing a Farm Share is also a mutual agreement with the farmer, you are making an up-front investment in the farm to receive quality produce during the season.  If purchasing at the farmers' market know that sales are done on a first come, first served basis--arrive early for your best selection.  Your Farm Share is good for the current growing season only, approximately June-October; if you have a balance left at the end of the season it is forfeit, it cannot be used for 2013, and it cannot be refunded.  Keep a copy of your order form, which contains sales and contact information; read emails and newsletters that are sent out; know when the growing and farmers' markets seasons begin and end; and know how much of a balance you have remaining on your Farm Share.  

2012 CSA Information

For 2012 we will be offering 4 CSA shares in the New Ulm and Madelia area.  Expect to receive boxes for 18 weeks, from June--October.  We are offering fresh, quality, heirloom varities, selected for taste, preserving and storage qualities.

Full share--in-town pick up/delivery: $450
Full share--on-farm pick up: $430

What is a CSA?


2012 ORDER FORM:  download or email us at alternativerootsfarm@yahoo.com


Payment
To reserve a CSA share a deposit of half the cost is due up front, along with a completed order form.
The second half of payment is due by June 1st.
Delivery
New Ulm
Tues. pick up:  4:30-5:30 at Lola's Larkspur Market
Tues. delivery:  late afternoon, or early evening (before or after Tues. pick up)  *home delivery to in-town residents only
Madelia
Wed. pick up:  from farmers' market
On-farm pick up
Wed. on-farm pick up:  from 11am-1pm
CSA Member Responsibilities
Purchasing a share is a season-long commitment, if you can't finish out the season reassign the share to another household.  If you can't pick up your box, arrangements must be made ahead of time.  Keep a copy of your order form, which contains delivery & contact information; also, read emails and newsletters that are sent out with each delivery.

A note on risk
CSA is a shared risk arrangement between farmers and members.  Weather conditions & wildlife can have an effect on yield.  We can't guarantee a perfect crop each year, and that is just part of a CSA and farming.  We can guarantee working our hardest to provide a quality product.  CSA members always get the best product--before farmers' markest.  Risk is addressed on the farm through conscious crop rotation, plantings to attract beneficial insects and by growing Diversity--growing crops resistant to various conditions, growing a diversity of fruits and vegetables, and a diversity of varieties.