FARM SHARE FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about farm shares.
- How can I choose a farm? Decide what is important to you (here's a good list of things to think about). Use tools on this site and other sites, talk to farmers (farmers' markets are a great place to do this), talk to their existing share holders, and ask about the important factors you determined above. Remember, this is worth some effort, because you are committing to a season of produce or other food, but it is not rocket science or parenting.
- What is a boarding fee? A boarding fee is a monthly fee charged for keeping an animal fed and cared for. This is usually associated with a milk share.
- Which farm share is right for me? Every farm is different. What is a 'better' farm share depends on what you want. Some offer more flexibility, some require work (which I imagine would create more community), some offer eggs and meat as additional purchaseable items, etc, etc. A good thing to do is contact the farmer and ask to speak to other share owners. I did that a few years ago when selecting my first CSA.
- I don't know whether certified organic vs. organic methods is worth the extra cash. Doesn't it usually just hike up prices when farms get certified because it costs them an arm and a leg? Most of these small scale farmers are in it for the love of the farm and their customers and won't be putting nasty chemicals on their crops. That said, organic certification is a process that makes sure you know exactly what you're getting. One farmer's "organic methods" could be different than anothers.
- What is the difference between certified naturally grown (CNG) and certified organic? There are a number of differences, outlined in this FAQ; they include who does the certification inspections and the size of the farm targeted.
- My husband and I are interested in starting a CSA. Do you have any info on the Colorado laws for CSA's? I have never run a CSA, so I'm not the best person to ask. I've seen several CSA planning books out there, so the library might be a good place to start. I'd also call up someone who is running a CSA similar to what you'd like to run and see if you could take them out to coffee and ask a few questions. Here's a website that might be useful (not sure how up to date it is, though). You also might want to contact your extension agent. I don't know where you are, but Adrian Card in Boulder would be worth talking to and perhaps getting some pointers from. Here's a bunch of info on small farms; here's an article about CSA from a farmer's perspective.
- Won't my produce go bad? I will admit that I've definitely composted some produce (a friend called it 'the most expensive compost I've ever made'), but by and large, I've been able to cook and/or eat everything I've gotten from a share. It does take a commitment, so I always suggest starting small. And if you definitely don't want to cook, there are other plenty of other ways of supporting local farmers.
- How can I support my local farmers without participating in a farm share and/or cooking? Lots of ways!
- Participate in seasonal events--many farms have pumpkin patches or corn mazes in the fall.
- Eat in restaurants that support local food providers, and ask restaurants where the food you eat comes from.
- Buy value added products (plants, honey, jam, etc) at farmers markets and elsewhere.
- Consider having an event at a farm.
A farm share isn't right for everyone, but supporting local food producers is. - Can I split a share among families? Often, yes. I've seen some farms that prohibit that, or want to charge extra, but the vast majority of farms are happy to sell you a share and then let more than one person pick it up. If you have any doubts, ask your farmer.
