JOIN the Gateway Organic Farm CSA Program

HOW TO JOIN
Download and fill-out the following printable pdf and return with your payment. 2011-2012 Gateway Organic Farm Application for the 2011-2012 Season

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is your direct connection to a farmer.  In support of clean locally produced food we develop a relationship with our community and our land.  We create a unique opportunity for families to receive a weekly share of seasonal produce harvested fresh from our farm.  We share a commitment with our members and hope for a bountiful harvest worth celebrating.  Our CSA is for those committed members who pre-pay for a weekly supply of produce.  This helps cover our cost for seed, organic fertilizers, equipment, labor, etc.  We plan and work the farm to provide the members with an equal share of seasonal produce.  The share of produce is available for pick-up every week during the growing season, Nov – May.

By becoming a member in our farm, you will share in the risk of farming. If we cannot provide food for our member share due to things beyond our control such as weather related events like an early freeze, hail storms or floods – this is when the risk is shared and where the word “community’ comes into play in Community Supported Agriculture. You can trust that at all times we will do everything in our power to make sure you receive your produce share.

Our Shares – You will receive at least 6 to 8 different types of vegetables and herbs each week during the growing season. Our farm grows over 50+ varieties with a focus on unique heirloom vegetables. Every family is different, but your share will supplement your grocery store purchases, bringing up to the gourmet level, and provides enough food for a vegetarian couple or an average family of four. Our purpose is to provide the freshest, chemical-free produce harvested within hours of pick up!

Our produce will be fresh, nutritious and taste like veggies should! There will be, as farming goes, times of greater varietal choice in what you will be receiving than at other times. The vegetable selection in a weekly share is determined by what’s in-season and available for harvest on the farm. There is no choice, by the consumer, of what goes in the share. This is called ‘eating in season’.  We want you to be pleasantly surprised each week when you receive good tasting, healthy and nutritious foods grown just for you. We will also include recipes to give you new ideas on how to prepare vegetables you know and those you’ve never tried!

2009-10 CSA Membership Subscription:  Full payment upon enrollment is customary. Current members have the option of a payment plan: a deposit upon enrollment of 50% reserves the membership, and the remaining balance to be paid by June 1.  Please know we will make every effort to work with you to arrange a payment schedule that works for your family. We will soon offer “PAYPAL” as an option on our website. Otherwise, check or cash will be your option. You are welcome to come to the farm to make payment. Please remit payment to : Gateway Organic Farm    6000150th  Ave N. Clearwater, Fl 33760

Full Share cost is $30 x 30 weeks = $900 for the subscription (Nov – May). Fee is to be included with this application and received no later than June 1, 2009. Full share members come to the farm EVERY week for pick up.

Half Share cost is $33 .50 x 15 weeks = $500  (Nov – May). Fee is to be included with this application and received no later than June 1, 2009.  Half share members come to the farm every OTHER week and will be divided into two equal groups if necessary – based on alphabetical order. (A or B schedule)

This season’s price reflects an increase in production costs across the board. Our property and liability insurance, property taxes, utilities, organic seed, inputs (organic fertilizer, etc.) has risen dramatically. We have made every effort to reduce expenses by saving seed, composting our own fertilizers and partnering with other farms to gain a price advantage when possible.

We appreciate your support and look forward to a bountiful harvest!

CSA Member Responsibilities
•As a CSA member, you share in the bounty as well as the risks that accompany farming. CSA membership allows you to forge a connection with your food, the farm where it is produced, and the people who grow the crops. As such, Gateway Organic Farm CSA membership is a season long commitment. If you can’t finish out the season as members, for whatever reason, you are welcome to reassign your share to another household, but we don’t issue refunds for shares.
•Try new things! Be a good example to your children and eat your greens, take pleasure in the familiar as well as the unfamiliar. Challenge your culinary skills with new recipes, new combinations, and new ingredients.
•It is your responsibility to know when your share will be available to pick it up during our farm’s open hours ( Wed –3-6 or Sat 12-4.) The farm will not issue credit for unclaimed or forgotten shares. If you miss a pick up – your share will be donated to the local High Point community center.
•If you are unable to pick up your share on delivery day, make alternate arrangements for your produce ahead of time. You can ask someone else to pick up your share for you, you can ask the farm not to harvest for you that week

Member Agreement
By signing below I understand that I am committing to 2009 –10 CSA Member Subscription described above, which allows me to purchase a share of the harvest of IN-SEASON produce. As a member I agree to share in the bounty and the risks of farming with the farmers and other CSA members. I understand that each week’s produce will be different and based upon seasonal availability, insects, weather, and other acts of God. My payment fees help cover the seasonal costs of labor, fertilizer, seed, equipment, etc. to develop the CSA farm and that NO refunds are available, however, I can transfer my subscription to another party or family member.