Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) Project

Upper Canada Heritage Farm is offering 30 memberships in our new CSA project (see Details below).

The 2010 CSA is now full. Reservations for the 2011 CSA are being accepted.

What is Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)?

Community Shared (or Supported) Agriculture is an approach to growing and purchasing food products in which the farmer and consumer are working cooperatively. In CSA, the farmer grows food for a predetermined group of customers. The customer enters into an agreement of purchase with the farmer prior to the start of the season. The farmer gains a guaranteed market; the consumer gains high quality, fresh food as it becomes available.

The consumer-producer relationship is strengthened through the increased involvement of the consumer on the farm and with the farmer. CSA members have the satisfaction of knowing where their food comes from and the farmer who grows it. The farmer has a guaranteed market coupled with up-front cash from member payments that can eliminate the need to borrow start-up capital.

Farmers also benefit by developing a long-term community interest in the viability of their farm. Reconnecting people with the land and the farmers that support them is an important part of Community Shared Agriculture.

Next Round of CSA begins April 1, 2010
30 Shares Available

Details of Upper Canada Heritage Farm CSA 2010

We have adapted the CSA model to fit our heritage meat production. Full members will receive:

half a pig
75 lbs beef
five chickens

In addition, members are invited to take part in the farm - doing chores, building pens or simply feeding the chickens. Members are offered a plot of land for their own vegetable garden should they wish it. And members are welcome to wander our 100 acres at their leisure.

Members will receive a seasonal newsletter to let them know what's happening on the farm, what's coming up, and other tidbits.

We are always looking for new farm-generated products and ways to share the bounty. Members will be given first crack at any new thing the farm produces. Ideas for future offerings include cut flowers, potted herbs and cedar and pine saplings. Members are encouraged to come up with new ideas for our farm.

(Copy this Agreement into a Word document, complete your section, print, sign and mail with a cheque payable to Barbara Schaefer.)

Membership in Upper Canada Heritage Farm CSA Project 2010

Agreement to Purchase

Membership is for a 6 month period from April 1 to October 31, 2010, during which full members receive:

half a pig
75 lbs beef
five whole chickens (about 5 lbs each)

$980 value for $895

Half shares are also available:

quarter pig
35 lbs beef
2 whole chickens

$463

Shared Risk

It is the nature of a CSA project to share the risk between the farm and its members. Potential for risk is quite small in this project, since weather and insects are not factors. However, there is the slim possibility that we might encounter factors beyond our control, for example, a disease causing high mortality or a barn fire. You may receive a pig or chicken that is not as heavy as estimated, but on the other hand, you may receive a heavier animal.

Payment Schedule for Full Member (circle for full share)

$447.50	due upon signing the Agreement
$182.50	upon receipt of pork
$202.50	upon receipt of beef
$ 62.50	upon receipt of chickens
$895.00	Total payment

Payment Schedule for Half Member (circle for half share)

$231.50	due upon signing the Agreement
$101.50	upon receipt of pork
$105.00	upon receipt of beef
$ 25.00	upon receipt of chickens
$463.00	Total payment

I, __________________ , agree to the terms stipulated in this Agreement to Purchase.

_______________________________	_______________________________
Signed	Dated

Address

Phone

I, Barbara Schaefer, owner/farmer of Upper Canada Heritage Farm, agree to provide to the best of my ability the products listed in the Agreement to Purchase.

_______________________________	_______________________________
Signed	Dated