FAQ'S
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| Frequently Asked Questions Is your Farm Certified Organic?We are not certified organic, we feel that the personal relationship that develops as a result of direct marketing is more important than third party certification. We like getting to know our customers and teaching them how we control bugs and disease with natural products that are listed for certified organic production. We use only products that meet the Organic Materials Review Institute and incorporate organic production methods. We do have concern that certification is being co-opted by large corporate farms and loosing some of its meaning. We feel that locally produced food that is grown in an ecologically sensitive manner by someone the consumer can get to know is part of how we can recapture the early goals of organic agriculture. How does the CSA waiting list work? In order to become a CSA member you must first put your name on our waiting list. We begin renewing subscriptions in January of each year. Current members have priority to re-join until February 15th. After February 15th we begin filling unclaimed space ( or new spaces) from our waiting list. We will contact families off of the waiting list in the order that we have recieved them and based on th number of spaces availabe for each pick-up location. We will contact only the number of people we have space for and they will have 10 days to make their first payment. After the 10 days are up, we will continue down the waiting list in this fashion until all spaces are filled. Typically you will hear from us between Feb 15th and April 15th. If you are not contacted , your name will be left in its position on the list until the following year. Where can we buy your produce? If you are not a CSA member, you can buy produce from us at the Clintonville farmers market from 9-12 Saturday mornings June-October. How does the CSA Work? Families are asked to pay up front for the CSA , either in Whole or in Half by specific dates set by the CSA. Once your family is signed up you will be contacted 1 week prior to the season deliveries beginning. Once the season begins you come to your specified pick-up location at the specified time to pick up your produce. We ask that you bring your own re-usable bags to pick up your produce. It only takes a few minutes to pick up your produce. Each family will get an even distribution of what we have picked for the day, you do not have a choice what we offer, it all depends on the season and the weather. What if we are going to miss a CSA pickup? You may let us know ahead of time and we can schedule an alternative pick up at one of our other pickup times. You may also arrange for a friend, neighbor, or relative to pick up your share. How many people does a CSA share feed? There is no good answer to this question. Every family’s eating habits are different. We have just as many couples that eat the entire share as families of four. The share size is geared toward the vegetable consumption of the average family. Do you sell half shares? At this time, we do not sell half shares. The logistics of doing so are a nightmare! We ask that families that "share" their produce send one person to pick-up and split the share on their own, we cannot be responsible to splitting shares. Will we know how to use the produce? Lisa works very hard at including recipes and cooking ideas in the newsletter that comes with the weekly share. The website also provides ideas and links to recipe resources. Each year people seem to find a new favorite vegetable. Click on the link to view the Sippel Family Farm Recipe Blog. How can we get involved with the farm? Members are welcome to visit the farm and attend potlucks on the farm. Children often enjoy visiting the farm several times over the course of the season. Why do people choose to join a CSA? There are many reasons people participate. Some people join because they love fresh food and like to try new things in the kitchen. Other people join to help teach their kids about nature and where their food comes from. Still other people join as a way of living out their social convictions. How can I save and store my vegetables? Each vegetable has its own way of being stored, please use the following chart to find more information How much does the CSA cost and how do I pay? The price for the 2008 season is $600. Payments can be made in full at sign-up or you can split payments over the season. $100 minimum is due at sign-up time and the remaining $250 is split between April 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008. |