CSA

The CSA growing model was introduced to the United States from the UK in the 1980’s, and quickly became a popular way for consumers to buy local seasonal food directly from a farmer. Vegetable CSA’s are the most common, but other subscriptions such as eggs, flowers, bread, mushrooms, honey, meat and fruit are growing steadily in popularity.

At this time, Calico Thicket operates both as a producer-led CSA, meaning we set up and produce food via upfront funding from consumers who purchase one of our farm subscriptions, and in return, receive a weekly box of organic vegetables, flowers, bread or eggs directly from our farm. Our subscribers become part of our farm family, and as a result, they share the risks of farming along with us, their grower. Members pay for things such as farm practice transparency, the organic use and protection of local land, a relationship with their farmer, and a real connection between themselves, their food, and the land that produces it.

We also publish a vegetable availability list during specific weeks of the season, usually June through September, specifically for our newsletter members.

This list is updated here on our site in a password protected page, and orders are received via email. If you would like to be made aware of what is available during these weeks, please sign up for our newsletter updates.

As a local farmer, we work to fulfill our goal of providing families in our community with access to seasonally grown, wholesome, organic, nutrient dense food. To achieve this, we utilize no-till, organic farming practices, and never use pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers anywhere on our land. Our soil is tested yearly, and amended at least 4 times a year with certified organic compost. We use OMRI certified fertilizers, such as fish emulsion, and endomycorrhizal beneficial bacteria; and we release hundreds of beneficial insects each year, such as lady beetles, mantids, and beneficial nematodes.