The following is the content for a pamphlet I have designed to promote the funding model we will be using for the Grow Good Things CSA this year. Please share this information with anyone you think may be interested in becoming involved... The brochure (with pictures ;) will be distributed at the Joel Salatin Meat & Greet next week in High River, and is available by mail or PDF on request...
Based on Golden Rose Farm in the High Country Foothills
of Southern Alberta, our objective is to ensure that the tradition of
sustainable farming continues to grow in the rich soil of our family’s
farmland.
We believe in using organic, permaculture, biodynamic and complementary food
growing practices; and we are committed to purchasing organic,
open-pollinated, and heritage varieties of seed.
Grow Good
Things supports and encourages the preservation of the genetic integrity and
diversity of our food supply; and works for the education and advocacy of
sustainable food production, marketing and consumption.
...
Grow
Good Things CSA Futures is a flexible prepayment plan that contributes directly
to the growth and development of our non-conventional Southwestern Alberta
farm. Your start-of-season investment
provides us with the operating capital we need to purchase essential items such
as seeds, soil amendments, drip irrigation, row cover, fencing and mulches to
extend the growing season; and enables us to hire the necessary labour to
produce excellent crops.
In our
3000 sq ft unheated greenhouse and outdoor growing areas we will be growing the
following types of foods for the 2013 CSA:
Greens such as Spinach, Swiss Chard, Lettuces & Kale; Beans, Peas,
Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Chili Peppers, Edible Flowers
such as Bachelor’s Buttons, Pansies, Borage and Nasturtiums, Herbs such as
Spearmint, Oregano, Sage, Parsley, Thyme and Basil; Rhubarb and Alpine
Strawberries.
In addition, 2013 investment will be directed to
initiatives that will increase our farm’s diversity such as the installation of
a Saskatoon orchard, the construction of a movable Chicken Tractor, and entry
into sustainable Beekeeping. Yields from
these endeavors may be low in the startup year, but will greatly add to our
farm’s long-term sustainability.
...
As members of Grow Good
Things CSA Futures, you receive the value of your investment back in farm-fresh
produce and market goods. Instead of
receiving a weekly ‘share’ of mixed vegetables, participants will have a
registered gift-type card that they can use for purchases from our table at the
Millarville Farmer’s Market. We believe
that this CSA model will enable people to receive more of what they like, in
timing that suits their lifestyle. For
example, if you like to freeze a large quantity of blanched greens for winter
soups and smoothies, or dry a large quantity of kale to make kale chips, or
process a number of pounds of tomatoes for canning; this plan offers the
flexibility to cash in your CSA Futures as your tastes dictate.
Members
will receive a weekly email on Sundays throughout the growing season (which
runs from the beginning of June to the beginning of October); detailing what
products will be available at Market the following Saturday. It is recommended that orders be made by
Tuesday to reserve your goods. There
will also be other types of homemade / handcrafted items available at our booth
that may be included in the CSA program; such as bedding-out plants, tea
blends, salves, wool-felted objects, frozen and preserved foods, natural bug
repellant, and other crafty items.
Grow Good Things CSA Futures
Membership can be purchased for varying amounts, depending on your
requirements:
Option 1:
$250
Option 2:
$500 - receive 5% more product (Value $525)
Option 3:
$1000 – receive 7% more product (Value $1070)
Option 4:
$5000 – receive 10% more product (Value $5500)
Option 5:
Work for Product - $12 of product for every hour worked
Options 3
& 4 work well for extended families, groups, offices & restaurants –
delivery to a common location may be possible.
Option 5 may be combined with any level of investment; please speak with
us to work out the details.
This structure serves only as a guide, as any level of
investment can be applied to our program to enable us to build capacity and add
to the diversity of our farm. Futures investment can be redeemed over
future seasons, although we hope they are used primarily for the year in which
they are purchased.
...
The future of sustainable organic
agriculture is a shared partnership between producers (farmers) and
consumers. In the difficult growing region of
Southwestern Alberta, we hope to spread the word that growing and eating local
food is not only possible, but that it is a worthwhile objective to
pursue.
Farming is a part of
our heritage, and the more it is encouraged and nourished, the more it can
flourish. Please pledge to support our
local independent small farm, and help us Grow Good Things.
“Put
your money where your mouth is.”
For more information, please
contact
Bridget
Lacey
Grow
Good Things
PO
Box 1343 Turner Valley. Alberta T0L 2A0
403-618-7591
bridgetlacey@gmail.com
www.growgoodthings.blogspot.com
facebook: Grow Good Things CSA
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