Full Plate Farm Share- 2012
Welcome! Below you will find tons of information about the Full Plate Farm Share. Questions? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions. No answers there? Drop me a line.
What do I get each week?
| Weekly Share | $850 |
|---|---|
| Meat (pork, beef, lamb, or chicken) | one cut |
| Free Range Eggs | half dozen |
| Organic Veggies | give or take eight items |
We greatly appreciate an upfront payment of $850. Of course, we understand that most folks don't have that much extra cash hanging around. We offer the following payment plan: $400 minimum first payment to sign up, balance paid in two subsequent installments of $225, paid within three months of the initial payment. For example, initial payment of $400, second payment of $225 within 45 days of your first payment, third payment of $225 within 45 days of your second payment. This way, we receive the bulk of the payment early in the season when we need money for seeds and supplies, and you are able to spread out your payment over the course of a few months. No one will be turned away for lack of up front payment. If this plan doesn't work for you, please contact us to arrange a payment plan that does work.
The fine print
This share will run for 22 weeks, from early June 2011 through Early November.
What is a vegetable item?
One vegetable item does not necessarily mean one vegetable. For example, one item might equal two pounds of zucchini, summer squash, or cucumbers- enabling you to mix and match the items you would like that week. A sample share or "8 item" week might be:
(1) two pounds of tomatoes
(2) one bunch of onions
(3, 4) two greens- choose from lettuce, escarole, kale, chard, or salad
(5) two pounds of zucchini, summer squash or cucumbers
(6) one pound of peppers or eggplant
(7) one bunch fennel or radishes
(8) one bunch herbs: basil, cilantro, or dill
This comes to "eight items," but way more than eight vegetables! This way you can mix and match much of your share, maybe choosing chard or zucchini one week, but not getting stuck with it every week.
Also, be aware that the size of your share will vary through the season. At the beginning of the year, your share may contain only 6 or 7 items, but be assured that in late summer, your share will contain 10 or so items.
How much meat will I receive?
Which meat cut you receive will rotate throughout the season depending on availability and is farmer’s choice. We aim for the following monthly schedule: one fresh pork cut, one sausage, one cut of lamb or beef, and one fresh, whole chicken. That means you will receive a fresh, whole chicken, approximately 3.5-5 pounds, once per month. Pork, lamb, and beef cuts are between 1-1.5 pounds. Our meat animals NEVER receive antibiotics and are free ranging on pasture. Flavors of pork sausage will rotate throughout the season. If you really like one flavor, we recommend you stock up! Just because we have it one week does not mean it will be available all season.
Can I get more eggs/ veggies/ meat?
Yes, if you would like to get one dozen eggs per week, add $50 to your share price. You can buy additional vegetables and meat at CSA pickups. We offer an increased egg share as we usually sell out of eggs at farmer's market and want to ensure that our CSA customers are fully provisioned. However, we usually have plenty of meat and vegetables.
Where do I pick up my share?
Pick ups are at our Burlington farm on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7 pm. Please choose a day when you sign up and stick to it! Its okay to switch days, just stick to your new day! If everyone begins switching back and forth, it is hard to predict what to harvest. We can box your share and bring it to the Burlington Farmer’s Market for a $44 fee ($2 per week). One reason CSAs are so convenient for farmers is that we do not need to box, pack, and truck the produce to market. We are willing to do so, but ask that you recognize this work by paying an additional fee.
What can I expect throughout the season?
For details on what is available throughout the season, see the calendar page.
NOFA-VT Farm Share Program
NOFA Vermont’s Farm Share Program assists low-income Vermonters in obtaining farm fresh fruits and vegetables. Farm Share participants receive partially subsidized shares from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms. In 2009 we had over to 1,400 individuals participating in the Vermont Farm Share Program. Please apply directly through NOFA-VT: www.nofavt.org/programs/farm-share
How can I use my credit cards or E.B.T./Snap Benefits
To use your credit card, please come by the Burlington farmer's market to make a payment. If you cannot make it to market, please be prepared to call with your card information.
If you receive E.B.T. benefits, we can work out a weekly or monthly payment plan. You tell us- $20 a week, $50 a month, you decide the amount and the frequency. You can even change your plan if you decide you would like to pay for more or less of your share with your benefits. You will have to stop by the market to sign an EBT voucher. Get in touch and we’ll work out a plan.
How do I join?
To join the Full Plate Farm Share, please send a check made out to "Tamarack Hollow Farm" and indicate your plan for payment to:
Tamarack Hollow Farm
519 Ethan Allen Parkway
Burlington, VT 05408
Please let us know:
1. your email address!
2. what day you would like to pick up your share
3. why you chose our farm share
4. how you heard about us.
Can't wait to see you on the farm!