Garden

As soon as we purchased the farm, I knew I was going to start my own CSA of sorts.  I knew mine would be different because, well.....I'm different!!  I had always wanted to join a CSA when my kids were growing up, but I couldn't find one that suited us.  I decided that my CSA would be structured the way I felt was ideal for everyone.

Our first year of garden baskets was offered to close friends and family only.  The price was 50% of the ideal price because I valued their feedback and patience more than their money.  I wasn't sure I could produce enough vegetables for my family and 14 additional customers.  Well, those loyal customers cheered me through a hail storm, a devastating flood of the garden and the many obstacles I faced as a first year large-scale gardener.  I envisioned giving them 15 weeks of produce-laden baskets but actually ended up taking it to week 23.  

I called it a successful year.  The garden was successful enough to provide for all my customers and my family, including canning a few hundred quarts of pickles, salsa, tomatoes, peppers and okra (yeah...that's kind of weird).

This year I've decided to open the CSA to other interested families. I will take up to 25 families at FULL price ($25 per week) and will get the season kicked off as soon as I can fill your basket.  

I'm trying a new gardening method this year...straw bale gardening!!  If all goes well, the season will start even earlier than last year...or it won't work at all and I'm back to square one.  Watch the blog for the progress!!

Here's how it works:

     1.  Let me know you are IN

     2.  Watch the blog for communication regarding weekly baskets.

     3.  Choose the most convenient way to get your produce.  Last year we did 

           the exchange on Sunday.  I think I would like to shoot for Saturday this year, but I'm

           flexible.  These were the choices last year.  Probably the same this year:

              -our city house

              -our farm

              -JCC on Sunday morning (kickboxing rocks!!)

              -if you're a big tipper, Simon will deliver it to you:):)

     4.  Pay on your schedule.  Once a month, every week, whatever

          is convenient.  I trust my customers and I keep track of payments.   If you fall way 

          behind,  I'll spray your veggies with pesticides:):)

     5.  If you want to add pork, chicken or eggs to your order for that week, it will be ready with 

          your basket.

     

Here's where we separate ourselves from other CSA farms:

     - need a week off to eat up what I gave you last week?

     - leaving town?

     - want to spend a week eating junk food?

Just let me know so I don't waste my time washing & bagging and we're cool.  No judging.   We have pigs and chickens on the farm so nothing ever goes to waste.    In return, I ask flexibility from you as well.  Last year there was a week when my husband & I were going on an impromptu trip.  No baskets that week:):) That being said, if you skip too many weeks, we'll revisit our friendship.

As a Fiddlestix Farms customer you get to enjoy farm fresh organically raised produce that is bursting with flavor.  There is a real joy in growing/raising quality of food for my family and I'm happy to invite you in as well.  You are welcome to come pick your own crops if you like getting your hands dirty.  Nope, no discount for that.  In fact, I should charge MORE for it.  In our family we call that dirt therapy.