Customize an Organic CSA for yourself or your family

In general, the regular size CSA will supply enough produce to have one vegetable for each night of the week for two adults. “Young” families of four (two adults and two children younger than five years old) will also be a good fit for this size CSA program. Families with a greater number of children, children older than five, or vegetarians would be happier with the large share.

We are very flexible. As long as you let us know by the morning of the day prior to your delivery, we can make alternate arrangements. Some people will elect to have a double share delivered when they return from their trip. Others can tack that delivery on to the end of their share season. Others will opt to “donate” their share to a friend or a needy family.

The term organic became a regulated word in the early 1990’s by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) so that there would be a clear definition and specific requirements for organic farms and producers. In this way, consumers would be guaranteed to be receiving true organic food when they are purchasing something labeled as organic. We on Eight Mile Creek Farm feel it is very important for farms who call themselves organic go through the certification process; not only because it is law, but because we, as smaller family farmers need to support and help strengthen the organic standards so that they are less likely to be compromised by larger, corporate entities.

There is a detailed document that is well over 650 pages long that encompasses the requirements of being labeled as USDA Certified Organic. In a nutshell these are the main points: soil health is the basis for all organic farming; labeling of all products must be approved, all seeds must be certified organic and/or untreated; all plants and animals grow from the health of the soil, not through the use of chemical fertilizers or hormones; pest control is managed through building soil health, crop rotation, row covers, plant variety selection, starting plants in a greenhouse prior to planting outside; livestock are fed only certified organic feed, cannot be given antibiotics, hormones or GMO feeds; must have the required number of acres per animal species and proper square footage per animal in the barn; and must be processed at a certified organic facility.

Certified organic farms must recertify every year. This requires a large amount of paperwork as well as certification fees. Organic grains and seeds are 30-50% higher in cost than conventional. Livestock and produce grow slower, therefore feed costs are higher for the farmer and time to reach harvest state takes longer. Labor costs are higher due to more time spent on weeding, raising products to harvest stage, prevention of loss (need for application of row covers, use of cover crops, etc.) There is more space needed for livestock, so there are higher costs for land (per acre costs, taxes, etc.), barn space, etc. therefore there is a smaller economy of scale. Although certified organic food may seem to cost more to purchase, you are getting more bang for your buck. Certified organic food has been analyzed to be 25-50% more nutrient dense than conventional food, as well as contain significantly higher amounts of numerous vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids than conventional foods. In addition, the benefits of certified organic to the health of the environment are immeasurable!