Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) Project

Upper Canada Heritage Farm is offering 30 memberships in our 2012 CSA project. Reservations are now being accepted.

New for 2012 - Christmas Turkey

We have acquired a small flock of Ridley Bronze turkeys, the only heritage breed developed in Canada. Their hardiness, calm temperament and love of foraging make them very suitable for our small farm. Their extra special taste and texture make them a rare delicacy that only a few will experience. We plan to offer 'first right of refusal' to our CSA members.

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.

CSA members have the satisfaction of knowing where their food comes from and the farmer who grows it. The farmer receives up-front cash from member payments that can eliminate the need to borrow spring 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. Upper heritage Farm has adapted the CSA model to fit our heritage meat production.

Next Round of CSA begins February 1, 2012
30 Shares are Available

Full share members will receive:

half a pig (about 90 lbs hanging weight*)
60 lbs beef
ten chickens (about 5 lbs each)

Half share members will receive:

quarter pig (about 45 lbs hanging weight*)
30 lbs beef
five whole chickens

*Hanging weight is the weight of the carcass after slaughter but before cutting - expect 20% loss due to trimming.

The pigs, cattle and chickens are raised outdoors on pasture. Any additional feed is sourced locally and contains no medications, growth hormones or steroids. All animals are treated with respect and allowed to exercise their natural tendencies.

Over the membership period, delivery of meat will be spaced out so that members will receive their pork at one time, their beef at another time and their chickens at another time. Pork and beef are cut, wrapped and frozen. Chickens are whole and frozen. Meat will be either delivered to your home or you may pick it up at the Ottawa Farmers' Market.

Acknowledgement of 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.

To reserve your CSA share for 2012, complete the following agreement and return to Upper Canada Heritage Meat, RR4, North Augusta, ON K0G 1R0 with a cheque payable to Barbara Schaefer. Print the Agreement in PDF format by clicking here or copy into a Word document

Agreement to Purchase

Membership in the 2012 Upper Canada Heritage Farm CSA Project is for a 9 month period from February 1 to October 31, 2012, during which full members receive:

half a pig
60 lbs beef
ten whole chickens

Half share members receive:

quarter pig
30 lbs beef
five whole chickens

Payment Schedule for Full Share Member (circle if you want a full share)

$ 615.00	due upon signing the Agreement
$ 225.00	upon receipt of pork
$ 240.00	upon receipt of beef
$ 150.00	upon receipt of chickens
$1230.00	Total payment

Payment Schedule for Half Share Member (circle if you want a half share)

$307.50	due upon signing the Agreement
$112.50	upon receipt of pork
$120.00	upon receipt of beef
$ 75.00	upon receipt of chickens
$615.00	Total payment

I, _______________________________ , agree to the terms stipulated in this Agreement to Purchase (print legibly).

_______________________________	_______________________________
Signed	Dated
_______________________________	_______________________________
Address	Phone
_______________________________
Email

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