Cedar Grove Farm CSA

Important info: official ending of CSA

Hello everyone,

Despite the recent update in early November to continue the CSA through the winter, we have chosen to end the CSA for the year. An explanation of how we came to this decision follows along with details about how we are moving forward with remaining balances.

We started our CSA several years ago with the intention of reaching people beyond the farmer’s market and generating more income for the farm. The CSA offers an investment from members early in the year that help support the farm before the growing season begins. Members invest in the farm knowing the risks and benefits involved and the many factors that can affect the harvest. Our program is set up differently than most in that members have the choice of choosing the produce they want on a weekly basis, increasing flexibility and customization. During the spring and summer seasons, this method is successful because of the amount of food we can grow. Once the colder weather sets in and the season begins to slow, this method is less advantageous. The vegetable production slows to a snails pace and our harvests for market get slimmer and slimmer.

The CSA ends officially at the end of October and we hope that our members use their remaining balance by this point. The share size options have a recommended weekly spending average that helps to keep things on track. Unfortunately this does not always happen and we continue the CSA into winter offering what we can. Since our yields are so low at this time of year, it becomes more difficult for people to use up their balance. This leaves us with the hard choice of continuing the CSA even longer or offering a refund to any member who has a remaining balance. Many members have $100-200 left in their accounts and knowing what our yields will be throughout the winter it will be hard to offer enough to affect those numbers. On the other hand, this is the time of year when the farm is generating little income and we have to survive the next three months on what we’ve made thus far. As i’m sure many of you know, farming is not a money maker. The investments we receive from the CSA in the beginning of the year help us greatly in running the farm and there is not much left at the end.

After much consideration, we have decided to end the CSA. Since a large portion of our earnings would go to refunds, we are offering another option for those who have a remaining balance. We will issue a credit for our booth at the farmer’s market for anyone with a balance that can be used until the market ends this year as well as next year’s market season. The market ends December 20th this year and begins again next April. The credit will allow you to continue eating fresh, seasonal produce and help us to successfully further our farming business. We realize this is not as convenient as a CSA and if you would prefer a check at the end of the year for your remaining balance, please contact us and let us know.

We fully appreciate all of your support now and in the past. Small, organic farms like ours couldn’t exist without you. Hope to see all of you at the Athens Farmer’s Market.