It's time to sign up for Spring & Summer, 2013:
We now offer veggies year round via 4 sessions: Heart of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Info. about the Spring, 2013 session:
We now offer veggies year round via 4 sessions: Heart of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Info. about the Spring, 2013 session:
Option 1: Spring - $330
Spring distributions are going on now. We have a lot of veggies so we are able to add you if you'd like to join. We'll pro-rate your cost. It's $30/week which ends Wed., May 22. This session is for the greens-lover and will include some remaining root crops (they go to seed as it gets warmer) along with a lot of greens (mustard, kale/collards/chard, lettuces, spinach, choi, yukina savoy, tatsoi) along with limited herbs, maybe dried spicy peppers, etc. If you don't like cooking greens, this isn't the season for you. But, if you do like greens, they are truly unsurpassed during the cold months of the year..
- Spring distributions will be on Wednesday only from 3:30 - 6:30
- Spring distributions are every Wednesday for 11 weeks - March 13 - May 22. Cost = $330.
- Each distribution will include between 6 - 10 items. It's not a huge amount but should be enough for 2 veggie eaters or a small family.
- On-farm on Tuesdays from 2 - 6:30
- On-farm on Wednesdays from 2 -6:30
- From the Ypsilanti Farmer's Market on Tuesdays between 2 & 6.
The summer session brings on some very tasty veggies. For example, early on you can expect an assortment of greens along with peas, fava beans, spring onions, garlic scapes, etc. About 4 - 6 weeks later, you'll be eating some small summer squash and cukes, along with kohl rabi and other root veggies. From mid-July on, most fruits will kick in so summer squash, cukes and beans will be growing earnestly and the tomatoes and peppers will begin. Mid to late August through the end of Sept.is peak harvest for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc and winter squash will begin. We still serve a large amount of greens but try to balance it out with the fruits of summer and root crops.
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| Assortment of flowers, potatoes, herbs and squash |
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| Summer squash |
- Each distribution will include between 8 - 14 items. In the beginning the distributions are smaller and they increase over the summer.
Option 3: Fall, 2013. Cost $280 for the equivalent of 8 weeks. This will include a holiday box which will be distributed the week before Thanksgiving. Pick up is Wednesday only from 3 - 6:30 from the farm.
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| Some very hot peppers (jalapeno, cayenne, fatali habenero, and pablanos). Not pictured, ghost. |
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| Fall, 2011 |
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| Fall, 2011 |
Capella Farm is located on
What is a CSA?
- A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a group of people who get together and pre-pay a farmer for a weekly box of veggies. The group shares the risks and the rewards of the growing season. It is a way to support your local farm, connect to the land, and eat good food.
- By pre-paying for your veggies, the farmer is able to budget accordingly. Workers can be hired, machinery purchased, etc.
- This is a place where people get together to change how we eat, one meal at a time. The biggest change most new members notice is that we eat what's in season. For example, cucumbers are not generally available in September and tomatoes aren't generally available in June.
How does Capella Farm's CSA work?
The pick up is buffet-style. There will be a white board with a list of instructions. In general, this is the routine:
- You bring your own bag or box. If you forget one, we have boxes that you can use.
- You follow the instructions and pack your box with veggies.
- Things like herbs or other items that people may or may not want, are placed on a table and you take them as suggested on the board
- There might be extra items on the table and you can help yourself to these. If you don't want something in a box, leave it on the table for others to take.
- Occasionally there are items that you choose from. For example, I might prepare 15 boxes of okra and 15 boxes of eggplant and you choose one or the other.
- Flowers (later in summer only) are u-pick. Generally you are able to pick between 15 - 20 stems to make your own bouquet. Flowers are started from seed and take time to mature so they generally aren't in full production until mid to late July. Flowers are u-pick only so if you're picking up at the market, flowers are not included but you might be able to purchase some if they're available.
What’s in a share?
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. We do have 2 member households who eat a full share every week and others that share a share with another household. We do not prepare 1/2 boxes but you can alternate weeks with another member if you'd like and we can help you to find a share partner. Some members share a share with a neighbor or friend and split the box up every week. 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.
Cost:
See above under Options re. applicable prices per season.There is no work commitment but we'll have a few work days throughout the season so you can come out to lend a hand if you're able and would like to. We strongly encourage this as it helps members understand what's happening in the soil and with the plants. If you have a day to volunteer, give me a call - there's always something to do here, any time of the year and in any weather.
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| Planting flowers - 2009 |
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| Starting Seeds in Feb, 2010 |
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| Back from spreading mulch, 2010 |
The work days are fun. Last year we followed them up with a potluck lunch. Keep your eyes open for the next opportunity to come out and get your hands dirty.
If the crops do well, we may be able to offer bulk purchases of veggies at a discount to members so that you can stock your freezer for the winter.
Payment:
Returning members will receive first dibs on membership and day of week preference for pick up. Deposit for the summer session is $100 and is due by Jan. 31. Deposit for the other two sessions is 1/2 the cost of the session and is due 8 weeks prior to the start of that session. The balance is due by March 30 (for summer) and 4 weeks prior to the start of the other 2 sessions. If you'd like to make payment arrangements, please let us know.
How to Participate in Capella Farm
1. Call or e-mail. Phone - (734) 761-3554, e-mail capellafarm@gmail.com.
2. Send in your deposit after we've confirmed that we have space for you.
2. Send in your deposit after we've confirmed that we have space for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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 to another pick up day (summer option only), 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).
- 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.
- If I forget to pick up my box or get stuck at work and can't make it to pick up, can I just come on the next pickup? We won't pick another box for you unless you want to buy additional veggies. Sorry but if we've already picked it, we'll have to charge to pick it again. Generally the produce is still good the day after your scheduled pick up so just give us a call and we'll be sure to set it aside for you.
- 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.
- What if I continually forget to pick up my box? If you don't pick up your box 3 times throughout the season and haven't called or contacted us to let us know what's happening, we'll stop preparing a box for you. You can call to let us if you plan to start picking up again.
- Is there a form that I need to fill out in order to join? No, at this time there is not a form. By sending in your check, we hope that you have read the info. here and understand how the distributions work. Thanks!
