What’s in a share?
The best way to understand what is in our seasonal shares is to look back through the photos and descriptions of all of the shares from the previous years on our Instagram or Facebook pages. We post and photo and description every week, and we try to also post predictions for the following week and any news about the farm. Unfortunately the older blog posts have been lost so currently the blog only goes back a few years, but the past three years are well documented there.
We focus on growing varieties that are delicious, productive, and resilient in our climate. Often this means heirloom varieties or varieties that have been bred locally by trusted vegetable seed breeders. We try to grow special varieties, some of which you might not easily find in grocery stores.
Joining a CSA is a bit like investing in the farm for the year, which is not without risk. Each growing season has its unique challenges. Sometimes a crop may fail due to weather or pests other unforeseen conditions, and sometimes there may be a ‘bumper crop’ with greater bounty than expected. We are committed to growing a diversity of produce throughout the season to the best of our abilities, buffering against the occasional mishap.
The farm has been producing on this land since 2010. Josh Volk, the farm manager, has over 20 years of experience growing for CSA members so this is not a new endeavor. He farms with a dedicated crew who at this point have all been working on the farm for multiple seasons.
What are the farm’s growing practices?
CNF (Cully Neighborhood Farm) uses ecological and sustainable methods. We don’t use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. We use organic practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, purchasing organic seed, etc., but we are not certified by a third party so by law we cannot label our practices organic.
Will there be add-on items?
In the past we’ve worked with Terra Farma to provide an egg add-on, Mushroom through Cloud Cap, and cut flower bouquets have been available in season from Flower Magic Farm. Additional add-on items may be possible (TBA).
What if I go on vacation?
Vacation weeks are a great time to introduce your friends and family to the CSA! Have a friend pick up your share while you’re away, or if you can’t find someone else to pick up let us know and we’ll donate the share to someone who can use it.
What about holidays?
When a holiday falls on a harvest day we typically move the harvest to the next day – these changes will be confirmed in a detailed email at the start of the season. We always take Thanksgiving week off.
Can I volunteer?
The short answer is yes! We’d love to foster more member involvement, both in the fields and with organizing events for other farm members. If you are interested in volunteering please get in touch: josh@slowhandfarm.com
Can I buy your produce if I’m not in the CSA?
During CSA pick-up hours we have a small “farm stand” with surplus harvest from the day. Both CSA members and other members of the community are welcome to come and purchase from us.
How many people will a share feed?
This depends on how much you cook at home, and how many vegetables you use. A single share might feed a family of four, or an individual. We strive to create mixes each week that complement each other and will create multiple meals, maybe even feed you for the whole week.
Do you offer half shares?
No, but you can find a neighbor or friend to split a share with. We may be able to help with this if you can’t find someone. Please email josh@slowhandfarm.com if you’d like to be put on a list of folks who want to split a share.
Why Join the Cully Neighborhood Farm CSA Program?
- Nutrition – Cully Neighborhood Farm is committed to growing nutrient dense food by properly balancing the nutrients in the soil. We add organic soil amendments, compost, and cover crops to improve the soil health.
- Sustainability – We are a small-scale farm working to decrease our ecological footprint. We do this by growing food inside the city, working with human-powered tools whenever possible, sourcing our inputs as locally as possible, picking produce fresh to reduce the need for on-farm refrigeration. We provide habitat and food for birds and insects in the city, and a bit of open space and beauty for all of our neighbors. We envision a future in which every neighborhood has a number of small urban farms providing a connection to healthy, sustainable, local food and meaningful, local work for residents.
- Connection to Your Food – Want to know where your food comes from or how it’s grown? You’ll be able to talk to your farmer directly and visits to the farm can be a fun and educational experience. You will find that you are eating what’s seasonally available, tasting the seasons of the farm and your bioregion. We hope the faces that come with this local food will also encourage you to think more about the faces and production practices behind the food that you get from other places.
- Sustainable income for the farm – The CSA model help smooth out the financial wrinkles of farming. It also establishes a direct relationship between growers and eaters.
Cully Neighborhood Farm 