Calypso - CSA

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Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)
What is CSA? Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) represents a simple, direct relationship between farmer and consumer. In a CSA, 'shareholders' pay an agreed upon price at the beginning of the season and receive a weekly supply of vegetables throughout the growing season. This marketing method benefits both the farmer and the local community because the farmer receives a pre-season payment providing financial stability when they need it most and the shareholder receives wonderfully fresh, locally grown produce each week without concerns of pesticides, preservatives, or unfair labor practices. There are currently over 600 CSAs in the United States. Each takes on the unique flavor of its own community.
	Calypso's CSA Calypso Farm and Ecology Center is situated on 30 acres, with nearly three acres in cultivation. Beginning in early June, we offer 16-20 weeks (weather permitting) of fresh, organically grown vegetables and herbs. We grow over 50 vegetable, herb, and flower crops, with many varieties of each. Calypso is offering the following share options in 2010. Vegetable Share: $600 This share includes a full array of vegetables distributed weekly from early June through September. Shareholders will receive salad for much of the season and occasional herbs. Flower Share: $200 Flower shareholders will receive a weekly flower bouquet. The bouquet season is usually 8-10 weeks starting mid-July (weather permitting. Potted Herb Share: $50 A variety of potted herb starts are included in this share. Storage Veggies Storage veggies are an add-on option available with the full vegetable share. Storage veggies will be distributed at the end of the season, during the months of August and September. All Storage Veggie orders must be made by March 15th. We now accept cash, checks, money orders, credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover) and food stamps as payment methods.
Becoming a Calypso CSA Shareholder Are you interested in becoming a Calypso CSA shareholder? Please follow these easy steps: 1. Become a supporting member of Calypso Farm and Ecology Center. Membership is an annual donation of any amount that directly supports Calypso's education programs. We ask that all CSA shareholders also be members of Calypso! Membership donations may be mailed to Calypso at: Calypso Farm and Ecology Center PO Box 106 Ester, AK 99725 2. Include a note with your Calypso membership contribution stating that you are interested in being a CSA shareholder. Please include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with your membership donation. If shares are available for the current year, we will send you more information about the program and a payment slip to be completed and returned. 3. Click here for more information on our 2010 CSA program and for the payment slip and order form. We look forward to having you as a shareholder!
	Other Local CSA Programs In addition to Calypso, four other farms in the Tanana Valley offer CSA programs, including: Basically Basil Gretchen Kerndt PO Box 83271 Fairbanks, AK 99708 479-2089 Demeter Farm Eric Mayo and Sue Kerndt PO Box 83271 Fairbanks, AK 99708 479-6363 Dogwood Garden Cheryl and Bill Wood Ester AK 451-0061 Rosie Creek Farm Joan Hornig and Mike Emers PO Box 181 Ester, AK 99725 479-3642 Spinach Creek Farm Lynn and Pete Mayo 5181 Murphy Dome Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 455-6043 We highly recommend each of these farms!