CSA: Community Supported Agriculture
Big Branch Valley Farm's CSA is a symbiotic relationship between the farm and its members. The members of a CSA are able to play an active role in the production of their food - they understand where and how it's grown, they can participate in its production, and they have a voice in the farm's operation. On our end, a CSA helps us to create a much more diverse farm, focus on growing great produce, and allows us to form lasting relationships with our customers.
Each week, members come to their pick up location to find an assortment of vegetables, harvested only a couple hours prior to their arrival. Members are then able to fill their basket with whatever catches their attention. In order to accommodate various household sizes, we offer different share sizes, which correspond to members' basket sizes.
Community is an important keystone to our CSA. We send out a weekly newsletter to help keep our members abreast of the farm's activities, as well as organize a recipe exchange for all of our members.
Each week, members come to their pick up location to find an assortment of vegetables, harvested only a couple hours prior to their arrival. Members are then able to fill their basket with whatever catches their attention. In order to accommodate various household sizes, we offer different share sizes, which correspond to members' basket sizes.
Community is an important keystone to our CSA. We send out a weekly newsletter to help keep our members abreast of the farm's activities, as well as organize a recipe exchange for all of our members.
2021 CSA
Our CSA runs for 20 weeks from early/mid May to late September/early October. For those who love the fall bounty as much as we do, we offer a 6 week extension program.
Our pick up days and locations for 2020 are as follows.
For those of you wondering about our Flower Share program, we have cancelled it for this season, however we will still be growing and offering an abundance of flowers! We will be selling them at the Farmer's Market and at the Big Branch Valley Farm CSA pick up.
- Full Share Season: $725 ($36.25 / week)
- Half Share Season: $450 ($22.50 / week)
- Full Share Extended Season: $217.5
- Half Share Extended Season: $135
Our pick up days and locations for 2020 are as follows.
- Saturdays between 7 AM and 11:30 AM at Union County Farmer's Market (*** Please note that the early pickups and latest season pick ups may be at the farm once the farmer's market season is over***)
- Tuesday Afternoons between 1 PM and 4 PM at Big Branch Valley Farm
For those of you wondering about our Flower Share program, we have cancelled it for this season, however we will still be growing and offering an abundance of flowers! We will be selling them at the Farmer's Market and at the Big Branch Valley Farm CSA pick up.
2021 CSA SIGN UPS ARE OPEN!! Please click the link below to sign up.
2021 Workshares and CSA Captains
We are presently accepting applications for CSA Workshares and CSA Captains.
- CSA workshare members are asked to work four hours on the farm, once per week, in exchange for a full share.
- CSA Captains are individuals who are willing to help us find CSA drop off locations, distribute the produce during CSA, and find other members in the area. In exchange for their help, they will receive a full CSA share.
FAQs
How does Big Branch Valley Farm's CSA work?
In our CSA, members choose a volume size and then fill their baskets with produce of their choosing. Each week, members will find all the best produce available that week laid out and then can simply fill their basket with whatever they want for the week.
What will you grow this season?
Spring: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Cucumbers, Fennel, Herbs, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Salad Mix, Scallions, Summer Squash, Turnips
Summer: Beans, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Flowers, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Lettuce, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Scallions, Summer Squash, Tomatoes,
Fall: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Chard, Fennel, Flowers, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Scallions, Spinach, Spring Mix, Tomatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash
Are you certified organic?
Yes!
How big is each share?
Big Branch offers both full and half shares. Full Shares receive a half bushel basket full of produce (the rough equivalent of a 5 gallon bucket). These are designed for households of 3-4 people or households of 1-2 very vegetable intensive diets. Half Shares receive a peck basket full of produce (the rough equivalent of half a 5 gallon bucket). They are designed for households of 1-2 people.
How full should my basket be?
For new members, this is one of the hardest parts to understand. We encourage members to fill their baskets very full. You'll know it's too full if you need an extra hand to balance the items on top. And if you are not sure, just ask!
Are their limits?
Yes, occasionally certain items are limited and quantities will be restricted.
Should I wash my produce?
Yes. While most items you pick up have been gently cleaned, none of it has been washed thoroughly and should be before consumption.
I like to grow my own garden. Why should I join?
Many of our members are expert gardeners! Because we have more space and allot all our time to vegetable production, we are able to produce a larger variety than most home gardeners and keep items available for long stretches of the season. Many of our members use our CSA program as a supplement to their home gardens. The growing season is very long and this way you can focus on growing what you love to grow and count on us to do the rest. And we are happy to sell you seedling starts to get your home garden started early!
Do you have payment plans?
Yes! You can either pay in full or in three installments. While we ask for $50 to hold your space, full payment is not due until April 15th. If you choose to use the installment plan, please be aware that we charge an additional $5 processing fee. The payment plan follows the following schedule:
Full Share: Half Share:
April 15: $252 April 15: $160
June 15: $242 June 15: $150
July 15: $241 July 15: $150
Extended Fall Full Share: Extended Fall Half Share:
September 1: $217.50 September 1: $135
What is the basket fee?
Each member receives a wooden basket at their first CSA pick up. This basket is theirs and they are expected to bring it back each week to fill up with their produce. The fee covers the cost of the basket.
What if I can't pick up my share one week?
You are always welcomed to give your share to someone else. Perhaps you have a friend who is interested in the CSA or would like to thank someone for picking up your mail? Whatever the reason, all we need to know from you is their name and they are welcomed to your share for the week.
In our CSA, members choose a volume size and then fill their baskets with produce of their choosing. Each week, members will find all the best produce available that week laid out and then can simply fill their basket with whatever they want for the week.
What will you grow this season?
Spring: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Cucumbers, Fennel, Herbs, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Salad Mix, Scallions, Summer Squash, Turnips
Summer: Beans, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Flowers, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Lettuce, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Scallions, Summer Squash, Tomatoes,
Fall: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Chard, Fennel, Flowers, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Scallions, Spinach, Spring Mix, Tomatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash
Are you certified organic?
Yes!
How big is each share?
Big Branch offers both full and half shares. Full Shares receive a half bushel basket full of produce (the rough equivalent of a 5 gallon bucket). These are designed for households of 3-4 people or households of 1-2 very vegetable intensive diets. Half Shares receive a peck basket full of produce (the rough equivalent of half a 5 gallon bucket). They are designed for households of 1-2 people.
How full should my basket be?
For new members, this is one of the hardest parts to understand. We encourage members to fill their baskets very full. You'll know it's too full if you need an extra hand to balance the items on top. And if you are not sure, just ask!
Are their limits?
Yes, occasionally certain items are limited and quantities will be restricted.
Should I wash my produce?
Yes. While most items you pick up have been gently cleaned, none of it has been washed thoroughly and should be before consumption.
I like to grow my own garden. Why should I join?
Many of our members are expert gardeners! Because we have more space and allot all our time to vegetable production, we are able to produce a larger variety than most home gardeners and keep items available for long stretches of the season. Many of our members use our CSA program as a supplement to their home gardens. The growing season is very long and this way you can focus on growing what you love to grow and count on us to do the rest. And we are happy to sell you seedling starts to get your home garden started early!
Do you have payment plans?
Yes! You can either pay in full or in three installments. While we ask for $50 to hold your space, full payment is not due until April 15th. If you choose to use the installment plan, please be aware that we charge an additional $5 processing fee. The payment plan follows the following schedule:
Full Share: Half Share:
April 15: $252 April 15: $160
June 15: $242 June 15: $150
July 15: $241 July 15: $150
Extended Fall Full Share: Extended Fall Half Share:
September 1: $217.50 September 1: $135
What is the basket fee?
Each member receives a wooden basket at their first CSA pick up. This basket is theirs and they are expected to bring it back each week to fill up with their produce. The fee covers the cost of the basket.
What if I can't pick up my share one week?
You are always welcomed to give your share to someone else. Perhaps you have a friend who is interested in the CSA or would like to thank someone for picking up your mail? Whatever the reason, all we need to know from you is their name and they are welcomed to your share for the week.
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Big Branch Valley Farm
302 Loughter Rd. Blairsville, Ga 30512 |