Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program Storrs Mansfield, CT

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Love local farms? Love fresh and flavorful food? A CSA program may be for you!
We grow it here. We harvest it here. We feed our community.

How does it work?
The farmer and CSA member enter into a mutually beneficial agreement. The member purchases a 'share' of the farm up front before the growing season begins. The farmer promises to grow the best product possible given any constraints that mother earth introduces that season; excessive rain, drought, insect infestations, disease pressures etc. Once the harvest begins, the member picks up their 'share' of the harvest once per week - the most fresh and flavorful organic produce available at that time of year. As the season changes, so will the offerings each week, thus providing members with the opportunity to understand and appreciate seasonal eating. By bringing together neighbors, friends, and those who love good fresh food, CSA programs provide a wonderful sense of community among like-minded people. Visiting the farm, enjoying the view, talking with the farmer, engaging your children in selecting their own produce - it all adds to the experience that a CSA membership provides. In becoming part of a small local farm you are investing a small business, our rural character, productive and healthy working landscapes, and in our case, a new generation of farmers.

BUY CSA SHARE

Deadline for summer shares: May 1st

2024 CSA share options

Summer Farm Share - 13 weeks (June, July & Aug)

full share: $655

half share: $445

start date: week of June 3

end date: week of August 26

Payment for Summer Season due by May 19th

BUY CSA SHARE

Fall Farm Share - 8 weeks (Sept & Oct)

full share: $415

half share: $295

start date: week of September 2

end date: week of October 21

Payment for Fall Season due August 18th

BUY CSA SHARE

Distribution

CSA members pick up their farmshare once per week.

Pick-Up Locations:

On-Farm:

Cloverleigh Farm

448 Jonathan Trumbull Hwy (Rt. 87)

Columbia, CT 06237

Manchester:

Urban Lodge Brewing Co.

47 Purnell Pl.

Manchester, CT 06040

Pick-Up Times:

On-Farm: Wednesdays 3-6pm or Saturdays 9am-12pm

Manchester: Thursdays 5-7pm

On-farm distribution will feature bulk bins of vegetables, from which you choose the best looking item to you (or your kids!). All produce is harvested fresh daily, washed, and kept refrigerated until you pick it up. It is guaranteed to keep longer in your fridge than any other produce you purchase so long as you follow the storage needs of the crop. Off-farm (Manchester) distribution at Urban Lodge will feature pre-assembled half shares for members.

Several crops are available to members only as pick-your-own opportunities, a bonus on top of the vegetables we harvest for you. These crops include: cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, ground cherries, perennial and annual herbs, green beans, and a wide selection of cut flowers.

Members that pick up their share off-site are welcome to come to the farm for PYO items, but recognize that this may only happen occasionally or not at all. The cost of delivery to bring the farm to you is included in your share price. The crop field is open Tues-Sat 8am-6pm for all CSA members.

Consult the produce availability list for details on what to expect.

Share size

The exact share size varies throughout the season, depending on when different vegetables are ready for harvest. All members should bring reusable cloth bags with them to distribution each week.

Full share: Each week full share members should expect to fill up to 1 reusuable bag with fresh organic produce, including PYO crops, depending on the time of year. The share size should be suitable for a family of four or more who cook most of their meals at home. If you are dedicated to a plant-based diet, a full share also works for a couple. This is a large-sized share and will require skill in managing.

Half share: Each week those with a half share should expect to fill up to 1/2 a resuable bag, including PYO crops. The share size should be suitable for a couple, a small family that occasionally eats out, or a vegetable-loving single.

What's in your share: For on-farm pickup, a chalkboard in the barn will describe what is in the share that week. You will choose from bulk bins of different crops to pick out your particular item (ex: 1 cucumber, 2 squash, 1 bunch carrots etc.) At Urban Lodge, your share will be pre-assembled for you. Our goal is to send you home with 5-8 different items each week. Hopefully over the course of the week, you'll be eating these vegetables so that by the following week you'll be ready for more. All of our produce is USDA certified organic.

On-farm pickup in Columbia: Full shares and half shares available

Manchester pickup: Half shares only available