Welcome to Earth-Shares CSA
What is Earth-Shares CSA?
Earth-Shares CSA is a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) organization
in Loveland, Ohio. CSA is a direct partnership between farmers who grow the food and the people
who eat it. CSA shareholders buy "shares" of the garden and receive fresh,
certified organic vegetables each week during the growing season. The farm
is guaranteed a supportive market for its produce and shareholders are
assured food that is fresh and not chemically or genetically altered.
Shareholders also learn to "eat with the season" and rediscover their
connection to the land that supports us all. We lease our land from Grailville, which
is Certified Organic by the
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association.
What kinds of vegetables do you grow?
We grow 35+ different types of vegetables each season. In the spring we have
lighter crops such as lettuce, kale, mustard greens, and Swiss chard. Veggies
such as carrots, cucumbers, beans and onions join us in mid-season. Heavier crops, such as sweet peppers, beans, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, and
potatoes, round out the season. The season lasts approximately 24-26 weeks,
from May until October.
What will I receive if I buy a share?
Each week you will get a portion of what is harvested. Some crops may do
better or worse, depending on the natural elements, so your share size could
vary. As a CSA participant, you share in that risk. Generally, one regular
share will provide approximately two servings of 5-6 vegetables per week.
The average number of pounds per share week for 2007 was 16. You will also receive our
newsletter full of recipes and information about the crops, work schedules
and current events.
What if one share is too big/expensive for me?
There are usually people who are looking to split a share. We may be able to
provide a list of those wishing to split. A share is bought and the
purchaser finds someone to pay them for a portion of that share.
How and when do I get my share?
Shares are picked up at the distribution center. Shareholders select one of
the pickup days offered and pick up that same weekday for the whole season.
Forming a "pickup group" allows a rotation schedule, saving fuel, time, and wear-and-tear on vehicles. There are five people in the College Hill group, so each
person picks up once every five weeks, or five to six times a season.
What if I can't get my share during a particular week?
You can always ask a friend, neighbor, or fellow CSA member to pick it up
for you. If you don't pick up your share by the end of the two-hour pickup
window, the food is placed on sale at our produce stand. You can pick up
later, but your selection may be limited by anything sold.
Do I get to work in the garden?
Of course!! Being involved in the garden is one of the things that makes a
CSA so wonderful. We offer two different types of shares�a working share
and a non-working share. Members who purchase a working share are required
to spend at least 30 hours working. Chores include tilling the ground,
spreading compost, planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting, as well as
stocking and clean up of the distribution center. The non-working share does
not require work in the garden but costs more.
Are there jobs to do that aren't in the garden?
Yes. If you are physically unable to work in the garden, there are some
coordination jobs.
How do I join? What if I have more questions?
Email the Membership Coordinator by clicking
here, and also
available by phone at (513)467-8006. In addition you may use our new online contact form on
the Contact Us page.
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 2008 News Archive
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