Community Supported Agriculture
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
What is a CSA?
The Whipstone Farm CSA is a subscription program where members pay their money up front for the season to help support the farm operations; they share the risks and rewards of the harvest with the farmers, and in return receive a weekly distribution of fresh, locally grown produce.
What do I get in my CSA share?
A share includes 7-10 different vegetable varieties per week and flowers when in season. While you don’t get to pick and choose what produce or quantities you will receive, you are provided with substantial quantity and variety and you receive the “cream of the crop” including special items that never make it to the farmers market. See the list of crops we grow on the bottom of this page to get an idea of what your share might include.
How will the share change throughout the season?
Weekly shares reflect the growing season and the variety of produce varies as the season progresses. Spring shares contain lots of lettuces and other greens as well as asparagus, herbs, and early root crops like carrots, turnips, green onions and radishes. Late summer shares include many of the fruiting crops like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, and melons. We try to keep greens growing all season. The first and last weeks of the season hold the greatest risk due to cold weather and weekly deliveries may be lighter. However, you will be well compensated during the height of the growing season with great bounty and variety.
How many people does a share feed?
Our goal is to give as much produce as we feel an average family or enthusiastic individual will eat. We estimate it to be enough for 2-4 people, but of course, everyone eats differently. Anyone is welcome to split a share as needed, but the responsibility of finding a partner and dividing up the produce will be yours.
How much does it cost?
The CSA season starts the first week of May and goes through the end of October. The cost of a share is $550 for the season (or approximately $22 a week over an estimated 26 weeks). Available shares for the 2010 season are limited to 75.
Where do I pick up my CSA share?
Pick-up is in downtown Prescott, behind Coffee Roasters in the McCormick Arts District parking lot, on McCormick St. just off Gurley. Pick-up is on Tuesdays from 4-6 pm. Or if you live in Chino Valley or Paulden you can get your share at the farm on Wednesday.
What if I go on vacation or otherwise can’t pick-up my share?
Ask a friend to pick-up and enjoy your weekly allotment (maybe you will convert them into members for the following year). Otherwise your share will be donated to a food bank or fed to the chickens.
What if there is something I don’t like or I want more than what is given in the share?
We will have an exchange basket for people to switch unwanted items and extra vegetables can be purchased in addition to your share if availability allows. We are always open to suggestions of how to adjust the shares to meet your needs. But, at the same time, we are trying to find a middle-of-the-road balance that makes most people happy and everyone has different tastes. Participation in a CSA does require flexibility and creativity on your part.
What will I do with these newly discovered vegetables?
We provide recipes on our website to help you learn to use your newly discovered vegetables. We will also send out weekly emails in advance of pick-up, informing you of what you will be receiving that week to help you plan your other grocery shopping. Visit our new blog: The Purloined Recipe
Why Join a CSA?
One of the best things about being part of a CSA is the number of things you can feel good about
Personal Health – the food is healthy because it is seasonal and fresh, usually harvested and delivered the same day. Some members say that they receive more produce than they might buy otherwise, but this forces them to eat healthier and they truly appreciate it.
Economics – You get a substantial savings over the price you would pay for the same items at the farmers market. By supporting a local business you also keep your money circulating in your community.
Food Security- supporting local farms ensures that farms stay in the community, which is nice for the landscape but even more importantly ensures that local food will be available into the future.
Environmental health - local food uses less fossil fuel for transportation and naturally grown food keeps harsh chemicals out of the environment.
Community Building – Know your farmer and know where your food comes from. Be a part of a food revolution!
What about volunteering or visiting the farm?
We welcome visitors any time to help with work or just to enjoy the farm. We want our members to feel this is their farm, but we appreciate a call first. Don’t forget the annual Whipstone Farm barn bash at the end of the season – an event not to be missed!
Shouldn’t everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of CSA? The Farm Share Fund raises money to get CSA shares to families that could not otherwise afford them. The family is expected to pay a small amount, the farm reduces the cost of the share and the remaining amount is made up through donations. If you would like to donate to the Farm Share Fund, you can add the amount onto your sign-up form. For more information on this program, see our website.
Our growing practices and philosophy
Whipstone Farm is a “Certified Naturally Grown” operation (www.naturallygrown.org). Using the term ‘organic’ requires certification under USDA regulations. This certification is expensive for a small farm. Therefore, the term ‘organic’ is not used to describe the farm’s growing method, but you can be assured that all crops are grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides while ensuring that the land is being treated responsibly for the health of the environment and our community. We welcome visitors to come and check us out any time.
About the Farm
Whipstone Farm is a 6 acre farm located in Paulden, 25 miles north of Prescott. Whipstone farm was started in 1995 as a large garden that produced more food than our family could eat. We have grown every year since then and have 5 acres in production now, growing over 100 varieties of vegetables and flowers. Along with the CSA, we sell produce at the Prescott and Flagstaff Farmers Markets, to local restaurants, and the Prescott College CSA.
About the Farmers
Farmers Cory and Shanti Rade have many years of experience growing in this harsh climate and they work hard to keep the vegetables coming all season long. Their goal is to build community by growing food. There are often international volunteers, college students, and other workers helping at the farm. It takes many hands to keep the farm growing and we are lucky to have so much help.
The Crops:
Arugula
Asparagus
Basil
Beans
Beets
Black-eyed peas
Bok choy
Braising mix
Broccoli
Broccolini
Cabbage
Carrots
Chiles
Cilantro
Cucumbers
Dill
Eggplant
Fava beans 
Fennel
Flowers
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Melons
Mustard greens
Okra
Onions
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radishes
Rapini
Rhubarb
Salad mix
Scallions
Shallots
Spinach
Squash Blossoms
Summer Squash
Swiss Chard
Tatsoi
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Turnips
Watermelon
Winter Squash