CSA

Join our CSA – a new option for 2020!

Again for 2020, Carlton Farms is offering CSA memberships as a way for supporters and friends to obtain our healthy foods.

You can download the Vegetable CSA sign-up forms by clicking here Carlton Farms Vegetable CSA Membership Application 2020.

What Is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture is a way for you to obtain quality produce and meats locally, direct from farmers. By signing up in advance of the season you help us plan our crops better leading to less waste and insulating us from the ups and downs of the market. Think of it as a joint venture, a coming together of farmers with consumers for mutual benefit. We get to know each other; we learn what it takes for you to feed your family and you learn about the food you eat, confident that it is unadulterated, clean, fresh, and healthy and in our case, certified organic and Biodynamic.

Why Carlton Farms?

We are convenient to downtown Montrose, a short 5 minute walk from the Susquehanna County Courthouse. We provide a pastoral entry to the town with open fields, vegetable beds, grazing sheep, and a pair of very popular  working dogs — a female Pyranees and a male Meremma. The farm has been in the family for over 100 years and is currently home to four generations.

Organic and Biodynamic

Carlton Farms is certified organic and Biodynamic. Most people are aware that the organic label is owned and managed by the United States Department of Agriculture. To qualify, we are inspected annually and must adhere to strict standards and practices aimed at assuring that, among other things, no prohibited practices or materials are used on our animals or land.

The farm is also Biodynamic, a certification that goes beyond organic farming by specifying various growing practices aimed at assuring that the farm is an entity unto itself with the goal being that all inputs originating within its boundaries. Every year, we aim to improve our soil making it healthier than the year before. Healthy soil discourages insects and disease and leads to healthier produce, pastures, and hay that we feed to our animals. Biodynamic practices thus lead to a virtuous cycle improving health of the land, of the animals, and people who enjoy the foods grown on it.

This unique marriage of organic and Biodynamic practices is very different that traditional commercial farms where soil degradation is common due to the use of deadening chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, which can remain on the food you eat. The result of organic and biodynamic agriculture is not only healthier food but healthier land, streams, and air for all to benefit from.

Quantities, Availability, and Risk

Carlton Farms is committed to providing its CSA shareholders with generous quantities of freshly picked organic/Biodynamic produce. Weather and vagaries of nature do affect the varieties or quantities available. Early in the season there will be less than later when harvests will be overflowing. Everything evens out over time.

Pickup

Montrose pickup is right on the farm on Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:00pm with accomodations for later pick-up.  Please bring appropriate containers. At the pickup site you will select your week’s share, market style, from an assortment of freshly harvested produce, fruits, and pick your own herbs and flowers. A gardener will be present to assist you. Your account must be paid up in order to pick up your share.

Binghamton pick-up is at the Broome County Farmers Market on Saturdays  from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Boxes will be provided.

Shares

Full Share

    • Feeds family of 4, or 2 dedicated vegetarians
    • Pick up your share every week for 20 weeks, June 2 through October 13.
    • Includes access to Pick-Your-Own flowers and herbs.
    • 2020 CSA Fee: $660 (which is $33/week)
    • Please send a $100 deposit when you sign up to reserve your spot. Full payment is due June 1st.

Half Share

    • Feeds family of 2
    • Pick up your share every week during the 20 weeks, June 2 through October 13.
    • Includes access to Pick-Your-Own flowers and herbs.
    • 2020 CSA Fee: $400.
    • Please send a $100 deposit when you sign up to reserve your spot. Full payment is due June 1st.

Split Shares

If full or half shares don’t work for you, we are fine with folks splitting a Full share with another person or family. This offers you the most flexibility, since you can then choose how and when to split the share amongst yourselves. If you do decide to split a share, make sure to include both your names on the sign-up form.

What’s in a Veggie Share

Expected items:

  • Arugula
  • Asian Greens
  • Beans – green, yellow, purple, yard long, edamame
  • Beets
  • Chard
  • Corn Sweet
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Fennel
  • Flowers (pick your own)
  • Garlic
  • Garlic Scapes
  • Ground Cherry
  • Herbs (pick your own) – basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, oregano, parsley, sage, savory, thyme, tulsi
  • Kale
  • Lettuce – leaf, head, mixed w/herbs and flowers
  • Melon
  • Mustard Greens
  • Okra
  • Pea – snow, snap, shelling
  • Peppers – sweet, shishito, hot and super hot
  • Radish
  • Raspberries
  • Spinach
  • Squash – yellow summer, zucchini, winter
  • Tomatillo
  • Tomato – cherry, heirloom, slicing, paste
  • Turnip
  • Along with additional items we’re experimenting with
  • Products we make on the farm from our ingredients:  Fire Tonic, Pesto, Dried Herbs

Next Step

You can download the Vegetable CSA sign-up forms by clicking here Carlton Farms Vegetable CSA Membership Application 2020.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at pick-up!