CSG The Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm Introduction

CSG Site Menu Home page of CSG, includes News Items Pick up Schedule. Introduction  to the CSG concepts and operation in a question-and answer format. Shareholder Informtion and Agreement includes membership pricing and commitment form. Contact information for the CSG, including phone numbers for the CSG as well as the Genesis Farm learning center. Apprenticeship Program description, including entries from previous apprentices and complete information for perspective apprentices. Newsletter from the Garden, published periodically, includes links to previous newsletters. History of the CSG since its inception, including major milestones in its development. Farm Report of a recent yearly production. Member Contributions and a collection of recipes from various sources.

Why Community Supported Agriculture? All of us are increasingly aware that the present state of farming in the United States and around the world is in serious difficulty. Agribusiness, with its chemical-intensive , industrialized methods of crop production is replacing agriculture, with its small human-scale and diversified character and its commitment to place and community. With only 2% of Americans actually producing food for the other 98%, people are increasingly separated from the source of their food and from the understanding of the vital relationships that connect people, food, soils and health. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a creative response to this crisis. It offers an opportunity for a community of people to take greater responsibility for their social and community relationships by mutually supporting their own farm. It sees their food source as an essential part of their lives. In turn, the farm supports them and provides not only nutritious chemical-free food, but an opportunity to grow in friendship, mutual support, and a commitment to restore the soils, air and water through their choices and decisions.

How is the Food Produced? The gardeners use biodynamic practices based on the spiritual insights of the Austrian scientist-philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) Biodynamics treats the soil as a living organism. It strives to build the soil and correct imbalances through the use of dynamic preparations prescribed by Steiner. They are used directly on the soil, on maturing plants, in the treatment of fungal diseases and insect infestations and in the making of compost. Sound organic practices are also employed using diverse cover crops, calculated crop rotations and careful tillage. Chemical pesticides are not used and we rarely need to implement organic pest control. The care and attention the gardeners bring to their work stimulate the health and energy of the community's food.

How does the CSG at Genesis Farm Work? The garden at Genesis Farm was established in 1988. The founding members were deeply concerned about safety issues around pesticide use. While their own lifestyles did not allow them to raise their own food, they responded positively to the initiative of a Community Supported Garden (CSG) at Genesis Farm and were willing to pre-buy their food in this creative new venture. The majority of work is done by a small team of gardeners. The support of the gardeners, all of the operating costs, and the capital improvements are carried by the shareholder community. All of the abundance of the food is divided among the shareholders. Food left over after distribution hours is given to local food pantries. The farm is working toward removing itself from the inequities, injustices and ecological devastation of the present market system. It is a social as well as an economic alternative. At present, the CSG uses approximately 51 acres of land through a 50-year lease with the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, New Jersey, who have protected the land through farmland preservation. There are three greenhouses that extend the growing season and provide some fresh salad greens over the winter months. Over 10 acres are in cultivation with vegetables and berries. In addition there is a 256-tree orchard and hardy kiwi vines. The construction of a centrally-located Gardenhouse, with root cellars and a distribution space has enabled the garden to provide food throughout the entire year. This building reflects the kind of commitment that results from such a community-based project. Two-thirds of its funding was provided by shareholders, either as gifts or as low or no-interest loans. The remaining third was raised through the capital fund included in each year's share price and most of the labor was done as a community activity.

How Much Food in a Share? The CSA concept enables us to grow the food in the most responsible way, honoring the earth and ourselves. There are about 250 households who are shareholders. An average share is about 19 pounds of vegetables per pick-up, though it varies with the seasons. This is enough for a family of 4 who wants to eat seasonal and regional food, who emphasizes a vegetable-based diet, and who enjoys preparing fresh foods. For a single person, a couple, or a family that eats out a lot or does not consume many vegetables, a single share (half a family share) may be adequate. Shares are further divided into summer (May through November) and winter (December through April) or full year shares. The summer shares are freshly harvested every Tuesday and Friday. Family shareholders pick up once a week. Single shareholders pick up every other week. In addition to seasonal produce, shares usually include fresh herbs, flowers and extra pick-your-own seasonal bounties. In 1992 an orchard of fruit trees was planted. Growing fruits biodynamically in the Northeast is extremely challenging. We are excited to be learning and developing this knowledge. Small quantities of Harvestable fruit are part of the share when available. Family winter shares are picked up weekly and single shares are picked up bi-weekly. We rejoice in the diversity of the winter vegetables available. They include potatoes, onions, garlic, beets, carrots, turnips, celerac, parsnips, rutabagas, sunchokes, oriental radishes and winter squash. Vegetables like leeks, spinach, kale and brussel sprouts are harvested far into December. We also provide our own homemade sauerkraut and freshly ground cornmeal. The winter share is rounded out with fresh salad greens from the greenhouses. Shareholders who live a distance organize themselves into small groups and alternate in picking up for the others. Our distribution organizers are happy to assist with these arrangements. Please contact Smadar at (908) 362-7486. The gardeners plan for a steady and even supply of vegetables each week. Since there are so many variables in nature, we sometimes have to live with surplus and shortages. Shareholders can preserve, freeze or can the surplus, or leave it on the surplus tables where other shareholders can take it. For some dealing with an abundance of fresh, seasonal vegetables (some of which you may not be familiar with) can be a challenge. We are happy to provide recipes, newsletter articles, and other words of advice to those who need them.