How It Works

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How it works at our CSA's
General Overview and Contract Information

How much produce is in a share?
At our farm we consider our amount of a produce share feeds two adults with at least 6 modest, usda servings of items per week. Visit http://riley.nal.usda.gov for more information. As the growing season becomes consistently warmer, a share increases in size and variety and you will recieve up to 10 servings for the intentions that it can be stored or frozen for later use. If you eat alot of raw veggies or are a vegetarian please realize that you may need more than one share. If you do not prepare alot of meals at home or are supplementing with other off farm items, you may or may not need a full share.   Do keep in mind that when food is grown in a sustainable manner it fills you up longer, has more vitamins, minerals and trace elements that your body needs.
Our values of produce are reflective of high quality organically grown produce that is hand harvested with out food miles. Certain items like fresh herbs, certain heirloom veggies and rare breeds are valued according to how abundant they are at our farm.
There are occasions when a particular crop over performs and that abundance is passed on to our subscribers. As well, if a crop is not so generous to us, you may only recieve a sample.  All of our subscribers get to experience first hand the ins and outs of organic, low impact farming. From veggie thinnings as the plants grow to size to our seasonal newsletters, subscribers have a better understanding of how their share is put together from beginnig to end and why.
It is quite difficult to pin down what will be available and how much of it on a week per week basis. We can estimate by our dates of sowing and harvest as to what is most likely to be in your share for any particular pick up date.  As with any farming in open spaces there are many factors involved as to what is ready when.  Air and soil temperatures greatly in fluence how any particular vegetable is going to perform. Seed quality, pests, diseases, microclimates, variety of vegetable or fruit, and of course excessive precipitation are some of the factors in when any item may ready for harvest . I could go into more specifics here, but don't want to put you to sleep! There are many wonderful books and informational sites out there to spark your curiosity, if you dare!

What to expect when your pick up week begins-
When you come to the farm to pick up your share of the weekly harvest we will be present the first 2 hours of pick up time. We will be close by to assist you in your produce gathering from the bins, answer any questions you may have or share our preparation ideas on what you may not be familiar with.   After the two hour window we may be out in the field, doing errands or tending to our family needs. Unless you have arranged for a pre-packed share, you will be able to choose your produce out of the harvest bins. There will be a board at the share area that outlines what consists of that week's share for each subscriber. There will also be a clipboard with your name on it. Please check off your name or circle the x below the date for that day so we know you have recieved your share.   If there is something in your share that you would prefer to switch out we usually have a trade out area to trade for something else. Place the item(s) that you would rather trade for and replace it with what is available. The selection of items to trade for are more abundant at the peak of the season (July-September  weather permitting) than in the beginning or end of harvest season. While we do not offer tailored shares, you will find this option rather handy if there are some picky eaters that you may have!

Please wash your produce when you are ready to use it-
More often than not, our produce is not washed. It is a disservice to the produce to fully wash it before packing and future storage at the subscriber's home.
What happens to produce when it is thoroughly washed upon storing for later use? The naturaly skin of the produce is compromised and breaks down much quicker hence storage life on such produce is shortened dramatically. While we may rinse large clumps of soil or if harvested on an especially wet day, we have to rinse it to some degree.  Only fully rinse your produce from us when you are ready to eat or prepare it.   You will find this earthly method of storage really does allow your items to last longer in your storage if you are not ready to use it right away.\

Preparation of produce-
Because we grow such a variety of items, there may be some items in your share that you are unfamiliar with. Please review our page on this site labeled Recipes. There you will have access to many different preparation ideas, links to other valuable sites, and the opportunity to add your recipes to our collection. Part of what we do involves offering what is seasonally available for our growing climate. Because the csa concept is relatively new to our side of the country, and industrial farming products seem to be the norm in grocery stores you will discover the benefits of eating seasonally.

If you miss your pick up day-
Unless you have made arrangements with us at least 48 hours before your pick up day, we will have your share of produce harvested.  Due to our harvest schedule, we are not able to "re-harvest" your produce at a later time if you forget to pick up.   If you are going to be out of town or are unable to pick up your week's share please have a friend or neighbor pick up for you. If you do have someone pick up for you, let us know so we can be sure to help them out when they arrive!  If for any unforseen circumstances you are no longer able to pick up your produce you are more than welcome to allow someone else to pick up for you or take over your contract agreement. Please let us know if you need to do this so we may have their information authorizing them to do so.
If you have missed more than two pick up dates in a row, we will automatically donate your share to charity instead of placing your amounts in the share area.   We will do out best to be flexible to accomoate your pick up needs!
Any produce left after the pick up times and dates will either be donated to a local food needs organization or fed to the hens depending on the type of produce left.

Access to the Farm Properties-
For both properties,due to liability reasons we are not able to allow subscribers to wander about the farm properties on their own. We have two open houses a year where the general public is welcome to observe our growing operation. We also offer personal tours with a scheduled appointment ahead of time. If you refer a friend to our farm we ask that you kindly have them contact us to arrange a visit.  We have our cel phone number written on the weekly share board and you are welcome to contact us if you have any questions while you are picking up your share and we are not in the immediate vicinity.
For the Felida location, we are leasing the farm portion of the property from the owner who lives on site. The residence is not tied to the CSA business so please refrain from approaching their home. They have been so generous in allowing us to establish csa activities at their location please respect their privacy. Only during the pick up time at this Felida farm will we be available on site for questions or inquiries.
If you have questions after hours, please call or email us!

CSA Contract

Please check location you would like to get your produce from!
Rosemattel's CSA 10311 NE 72nd ave Vancouver WA 98686______
Rosemattel's II CSA located at 41st and Seward Rd/Felida____
           2009 Rosemattel’s CSA  Contract for Subscription
       Name    ___________________________________      Phone#__________________Email_______________________
Mailing Address______________________________________

Each Full Share is averaged out to 20-25.00 worth of produce a week. We average that amount through what is grown and harvested in a 22 week season. Some weeks are lighter and some weeks are heavier. We estimate to begin the 2009 harvest season the last week of May, pending the outcome of spring weather patterns. There may be an opportunity to pick up your first share two weeks before actual commencement of the harvest season as some items may produce earlier than anticipated. We will notify you when this opportunity becomes available with a 3 day notice. Be assured that once you sign up for your 2009 produce share we will keep you informed on a monthly basis as to what we are doing at the farm beginning in January.

   Please choose either  22 week  or a 15 week  subscription
If paid in full by following dates      22 weeks                   15 weeks
                                                      5/19-10/17/09                6/15-9/15/09    November 30th 2008       Full Share 550.00_____                   450.00______
                                                     Half Share 300.00______               200.00____
December 31st 2008       Full Share 575.00____              475.00____
                                       Half Share 325.00____              225.00____
After January 1, 2009   Full Share 600.00____               500.00____
                                       Half Share 350.00____              250.00____

Payment plans are accepted but in order to recieve any discounts,the share must be paid in full by specified date in order to recieve the share discount. Please note your payment plan below
________________________________________________
Payments may be sent to 10311 NEe 72nd ave Vancouver WA 98686

or through our paypal.com address: otbgsm@yahoo.com
Need help? Call 360 576-9767

Pick up at 72^nd ave Farm Monday_or Thursday_After 1pm w/in 24 hrs

Pick up at Felida Farm Tuesday____ From 4pm-6pm only

By signing and/or initialing below you agree to pick up your produce every week during the official harvest season in a timeley manner. You agree to have someone in your place to pick up your share if you are not able to do so. You agree to switch any of your produce items out from the trade area if you choose to do so. You agree to hold harmless Rosemattel's CSA from any weather patterns/insect or disease problems that may affect the production of any product we grow for you on the farm. You understand that once you begin payment of your 2009 share, that we do not issue refunds in any manner and that if you choose to stop picking up your subscription or cancel this contract it is your responsibilty of the contract holder to either sell your share to someone else, or forfiet your subscription. You also understand that this farm has the right to grow and sell additional produce outside of the shareholder's crops to any market, customer, or entity.

Signature or intitials of the shareholder(s) of this farm belonging to this contract

Subscribers Name(s)__________________________________
Signature(s)__________________________________________
Date_____________________
If sending contract through email, please place initials on signature line. Please keep a copy contract for your records.

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