Mud College Farm 2022 CSA Handbook

Ben Mearns farmer@mudcollege.com 717-677-2530

mudcollege.com

 

Thank you for your interest in Mud College Farm’s Community-supported agriculture (CSA) program! By committing to a weekly selection of our organic produce and free range eggs you play a crucial role in sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, and supporting local business.

 

How does this work?

Customers buy "shares" of Mud College Farm's harvest in advance and then receive a weekly portion of the crops and eggs as we harvest them, throughout the season. The amount of produce and eggs will be greater than or equal to $20/week. At our two staffed locations, you will have the option to substitute one item for an item listed as “CSA choice” in our weekly updates email. Please bring last week’s bag or another labeled bag to your pickup site (boxes are also ok at staffed locations), so that we can repack it for the following week.

 

About Mud College Farm

Mud College Farm is a certified organic grower located near historical Gettysburg -- in South Central Pennsylvania.  We grow mostly vegetables as well as some fruits, and also raise non-gmo fed pastured chicken eggs.

 

We actively promote land stewardship and peacemaking through sustainable community-driven farming. Additional help is provided by local community members – teachers, students, retirees, and others who are passionate about farming and conservation. The name “Mud College” – borrowed from a nearby historical landmark – invokes our educational, experimental spirit, and connection to the earth.

We are a small family farm – three generations of the Mearns family have lived and farmed here. In addition to operating the farm, we also manage 8 acres of conservation land.

Share descriptions

We load up a reusable tote bag (or box at our staffed locations) of fresh, certified organic produce for you to pick up. You have the option to include one half dozen free-range eggs at no extra charge. You can also include one dozen eggs for a nominal price, see cost section below.

 

Example share:

    • 1 bag of arugula (certified organic)

    • 1 bag of lettuce mix (cerfified organic)

    • 1 slicer tomato( cerfified organic)

    • 1 box lunchbox peppers (certified organic)

    • 1 head of garlic (cerfified organic)

    • 1 delicata squash (certified organic)

    • 1 box pears (organically grown/not-certified)

    • 1 dozen or 1/2 dozen non-GMO fed pastured brown eggs

 

The following is a list of produce that we will be packing in your CSA this year (italics indicates very limited quantities)

  • Certified Organic: arugula, asparagus, basil, green bean, beet, brassica salad mix, broccoli, broccoli raab, napa cabbage, red cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, chamomile, swiss chard, bok choi, cilantro, sweet corn, pickling cucumber, slicing cucumber, dill, eggplant, fennel, garlic, kale, leek, head lettuce, lettuce mix, okra, onion bulbs, parsley, peas, snap, peas, snow, bell pepper, habanada pepper, jalepeno pepper, lunchbox pepper, poblano pepper, blue potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, daikon radish, radish, french breakfast radish, pearl radish, watermelon radish, scallions, shallot, spinach, acorn squash, butternut squash, delicata squash, spaghetti squash, summer squash, zucchini squash, heirloom tomato, slicer tomato, hakurei turnip, watermelon, strawberry

  • Organically grown (not certified) by Mud College Farm: pear, plum

  • We also sometimes supplement with organically grown produce from our friends at Weaving Roots Farm (New Oxford, PA), Hundredfold Farm (Orrtanna, PA), and Summer Creek Farm (Thurmont, MD) and conventionally grown fruit from Hauser Family Farm (Cashtown, PA)

 

Pickup Sites and Schedules

Our CSA program runs for 22 weeks, starting on Tuesday May 24th and ends on Saturday October 29th. Locations, days and times are outlined below. We may add additional locations and times. Half share (Bi-Weekly) members will alternatively be assigned to pick up on odd or even weeks.

 

St James Lutheran Church (Gettysburg)

Tuesdays after 2:30 pm

Unstaffed Location

 

Mud College Farm Tuesday Market

Tuesdays from 3-4 pm (Staffed), or after (may be staffed if 9a-4p)

 

Adams County Farmers Market

Saturdays from 8am – 1pm

Staffed Location

 

  • If you will miss your pickup and would like for us to bring it to the market or pick up at the farm, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

 

 

Cost

Full Share (weekly)

    • Organic produce + ½ Dozen non-GMO pastured eggs (if selected) - $440 check/$455 credit

    • Organic produce + 1 Dozen non-GMO pastured eggs - $495 check/$510 credit

 

Half Share (bi-weekly)

    • Organic produce + ½ Dozen non-GMO pastured eggs (if selected) - $220 check/$230 credit

    • Organic produce + 1 Dozen non-GMO pastured eggs - $250 check/$260 credit

    • Organic produce – 30 Hrs help on farm or market

       

Payment Methods

Mud College Farm happily accepts cash, check, credit, food assistance vouchers (WIC/FMNP), and by app (Venmo, Paypal, and Cash App). Credit and app prices are higher to reflect processing fees.

 

Payment for the season is due at sign up or renewal. An exception is for Full Share members who would like to pay in two installments of $220 (or $247.50 for doz eggs). In this case, the second installment is due during first CSA week in May.

 

Member Benefits

  • Pick-your-own opportunities for free or heavily discounted produce when we have a huge abundance. Last year we saw opportunities for pick your own tomatoes.

  • Receive 10% off on all additional purchases at our farmer’s market and on-farm locations (mention CSA at market locations – we don’t always remember!)

  • Receive 20% off on orders > $20 of a single item when in abundance, such as for stewing tomatoes and pickling cucumbers

  • Farm tours and visits

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: How do I sign up

A: If you are unable to make it on the day of your normal pickup, please let us know – we will store your share at our on-farm cooler and you can come help yourself/pick it up when you are able. We also store all shares not picked up in our cooler until at least the next CSA day (e.g., if you are a Saturday pickup and you forget to come to market, it will be stored in the cooler until at least the next Tuesday).

 

If you are unable to pick up the week of your CSA (for example, you will be on vacation), you can pick up the following week (bi-weekly shares) or if you have a weekly share you will receive a $15 credit that you can apply at a choose your own site (farmers market or on-farm).

 

Q: What can I do when I am unable to pickup my share at my normal time/place?

A: If you are unable to make it on the day of your normal pickup, please let us know – we will store your share at our on-farm cooler and you can come help yourself/pick it up when you are able. We also store all shares not picked up in our cooler until at least the next CSA day (e.g., if you are a Saturday pickup and you forget to come to market, it will be stored in the cooler until at least the next Tuesday).

 

If you are unable to pick up the week of your CSA (for example, you will be on vacation), you can pick up the following week (bi-weekly shares) or if you have a weekly share you will receive a $15 credit that you can apply at a choose your own site (farmers market or on-farm).

 

Q: If I choose a bi-weekly share when is my first week of pick up?

A: Bi-weekly shares are assigned even or odd weeks semi-randomly. For example, half of the bi-weekly share members will begin pick ups on the first week of CSA, and half will begin the second week of the CSA. You will then pick up 2 weeks from your pickup week henceforth. We will contact all CSA members in May with their first pick up week.

 

Q: What can I do if I can no longer continue?

A: You may transfer your share to another person at your discretion. Just let us know, and they will be able to let us know their desired pickup place. We can also facilitate the donation of your share to a household in need.

 

Q: How can I get veggies and eggs in early May?

A: Come visit us at our market location, Adams County Farmers Market in Gettysburg. As a CSA member, you will receive 10% off your order when you mention the CSA discount.

 

Q: How can I get veggies and eggs November through May?

A: Come visit us out our popup locations at Mud College Farm and other farms and locations in Adams County. We are also doing an experimental Fall/Winter/early-spring CSA this year – please contact farmer@mudcollege.com for more info.

 

Q: How can I get more of your veggies? “I really liked the Okra, but I need more to make a good dish.”

A: Come visit us at a market location (e.g., Adams County Farmers Market in Gettysburg). As a CSA member, you will receive 10% off your order when you mention the CSA discount. You will receive 20% off on orders > $20 of a single item, when we have an abundance of a certain crop.

 

Q: I don’t want eggs, can I get more veggies instead?

A: Yep, just select “no eggs” on the sign up form

 

 

 

Mud College Farm CSA 2022 Sign-Up Form

Please return to Adams County Farmers Market or Mud College Farm Locations or mail to : Mud College Farm 680 King Rd Gettysburg, PA 17325. If paying by check please enclose and make payable to Mud College Farm.

 

Name(s)_____________________________________________________________________

Email(s) _____________________________________________________________________

Phone (optional)______________________________________________________________

Preferred Method of Communication (Please Circle): Text (SMS) Email

 

Share type

□ Full Share (Weekly) with 1/2 Doz Eggs -- $440 Check/$455 Credit

□ Full Share (Weekly) no Eggs -- $440 Check/$455 Credit

□ Full Share (Weekly) with 1 Doz Eggs -- $495 Check/$510 Credit

□ Half Share (Bi-Weekly) with 1/2 Doz Eggs -- $220 Check/$230 Credit

□ Half Share (Bi-Weekly) with no Eggs -- $220 Check/$230 Credit

□ Half Share (Bi-Weekly) with 1 Doz Eggs $250 Check/$260 Credit

□ Volunteer Half Share (Bi-Weekly) with no Eggs – 30 Hours of Farm or Market Help

 

Primary Pickup Site/ Day

□ Tuesdays 2:30PM to 5PM -- St. James Lutheran Church (Gettysburg).

□ Tuesdays from 3PM, in cold storage until Saturday -- Mud College Farm.

□ Saturdays 8AM to 1 PM-- Adams County Farmers Market (Gettysburg).

 

 

Payment

□ Pay online with credit card or bank (higher price covers fee)

□ Pay in full by check

□ Pay in two installments by check (full share only)