Capella Farm

We are expanding for 2010!

• We are expanding in 2010.  Please let us know if you'd like join.  The full fee is now due - $650 for a full share or $325 for 1/2 share.  This includes 20 weeks of produce plus a large box the week before Thanksgiving.
• Our hoophouse is now up.  We're preparing to plant in there and hope to have some of the warm-weather crops available a bit earlier than is possible if we only grow in the field.

•  A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a group of people who get together and prepay-pay a farmer for a weekly share in the season’s crop.  The group shares the risks and the rewards as we work together to plant, water, tend to and harvest the crops.  It is a way to support your local farm, connect to the land, and eat good food.
• This is a place where people get together to change how we eat, one meal at a time.
• Members will pick up their shares from the farm weekly on either Wednesday or Saturday.
• Capella Farm is located on Scio Church Road, approximately 1.5 miles west of  Zeeb Road in Ann Arbor.  We are a small farm and, along with vegetables, raise chickens, Boer goats and a few turkeys.  We have been raising our own vegetables here for about 6 years, completed our first year as a CSA in 2009 and are committed to continuing to grow good food, support local farmers and care for the land.

This link shows what was distributed for 2009:

What's in the box - 2009 

The share is intended to provide 2 adults and 2 young children with veggies for a week.  It is hoped to be a generous amount of veggies and most 2 person households will end up freezing a portion of the share or sharing with someone (although some couples really power through it!).  We do not offer 1/2 shares but you are welcome to share a share with another family.  We may be able to assist you with finding a share partner.  Depending upon the time of year, your share will vary.  It will primarily include veggies but may also include flowers and fresh herbs, as available.  In the spring, we’ll share the cold-weather crops which we’ll start in the hoop house in late March.   Moving into July and August, the leafy veggies will give way to our warm weather friends that are more heat-tolerant. In late August through October, we’ll return to our cold-loving veggies but also move into prime harvest which includes tomatoes, potatoes, winter squash, etc.  The following provides some of the veggies planned to be available:

Cost:

For 2010, there are two options with additional weeks available for an additional charge:

1)      $650 with a hope that you will be able to help out a few times during the season (weeding, mulching, planting, transplanting, building cold frames, web development, harvesting, etc).  Last year members committed to 15 hours for the season but some weren't able to complete their hours.  We hope to achieve a few things through volunteer work days:  1) get help here on the farm; 2) give members experience with farming, and hopefully a stronger tie to their food and a better understanding for the reasons of crop failures and success; 3) help to build community by getting to know one another.  If you can't fulfill the work commitment, for whatever reason, it's OK. 

2)      A half share for $325.  If you don't have someone to share a share with, I can match you with another member.  The two of you will determine how you want to split your share but most 1/2 members alternate weeks for their pick-up.

Payment:

Full payment is now due.

 Other Information:

• The website is a work in progress and most current info. can be found through the blog.  We'll be working on posting additional information such as recipes but I generally focus on basic "how to" info. such as how to store and preserve along with recipes for canning, pickling, etc.  There are many great websites which post so many recipes.
• We may have canning parties, sauer kraut making parties, a barbecue, a spicy pepper party, etc., depending upon your interest.

As a CSA member, you will be able to:

• Eat fresh produce that you have helped grow;
• Watch the crops grow and adapt your menus to the food that’s available;
• Assist in organic farming and help support family farms;
• Be part of a group of people committed to supporting locally grown, tasty food.

    1.  Call or e-mail.  Phone - (734) 761-3554, e-mail capellafarm@gmail.com.
2.  Send your payment, made payable to Capella Farm, ASAP.
3.  When the season begins, the boxes of produce will be stored on our front porch or some other location, as determined this winter.  You can pick up on Wednesday afternoon/evening or Saturday mid-morning/afternoon.  There will be a sheet of paper in your box which provides instructions.  Much of the produce will be in the box but additional items will be on a table.  So, you will have the ability to take herbs, spicy peppers, flowers, tomatoes, etc. as you wish.  Depending on the week, certain items may be offered as u-pick items (flowers, beans late in the year, green tomatoes, etc.).
4.  There will be a separate table where we place extra produce, "second-hand" produce, etc.  If you don’t want a certain item that week, you can place it on the table and another member is welcome to take that portion.  Anything left at the end of the day will be donated or fed to the chickens, goats or turkeys.

5.  What if I can't pick up on my pre-set day?  If you are going to be on vacation and would like to move your pick-up from Wed. to Sat. (or vice versa), give us a call at least 3 days in advance and we can change your date.  If you want us to hold a box, we can hold it for 1 day but after that we'll use the produce (it will probably wilt).

6.  What if I forget to pick up?  Please call as soon as you remember (within 12 hours of scheduled pickup).  If we don't hear from you by noon the next day, we'll probably use the produce or give it away.

7.  If I'm out of town, what do I do?  Most people try to find a neighbor or relative to use their share - just let us know if someone else will be picking up and we'll try to help them at pickup time.  If you can't find someone to use your share, please let us know so that we don't prepare a box for you.