CSA Member AgreemenT
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between the farmer and you with both of us sharing some of the risks, as well as the bounty, of the farm. This CSA member agreement outlines our shared commitments for our CSA season.
1. Milkweed Farm (MWF) CSA
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MWF is not certified organic; however, our farming practices meet or exceed the national organic standards. We do not use synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. In fact, we do not even use organically certified pesticides because of the danger to native pollinators.
We use minimal tillage, cover crops, mulch, and compost to preserve and enhance soil structure and health. We are committed to transparency in our growing practices. We welcome our members, and anyone else, to visit and take a tour of the farm to see what we are up to.
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The following is a list of some of the produce we expect during the year. This list is not all-inclusive, as we grow many different types of vegetables and it is based on our best estimate. Weather, pests, and other events will affect actual production and thus the variety and quantity of produce provided.
May/June: Asian greens, arugula, baby lettuce, beets, broccoli raab, cauliflower, chard, garlic scapes, kale, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach and turnips.
July/August: Beets, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, lettuce, peppers (hot & sweet), potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes, and zucchini.
September/October: Beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, turnips, and other fall favorites.
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Members will receive a weekly allotment of vegetables at their designated pickup time and location. The CSA season runs for 21 weeks, from roughly mid-May to mid-October. We will email members in the early spring regarding our exact start date.
Members are responsible for picking up their shares each week at Milkweed Farm in Westminster or at the Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro. More detailed information about share pickups is described below.
2. Sharing the risk
We promise to do our best to provide you with a bountiful share each week. We use irrigation, row covers, integrated pest management, and other sustainable practices to minimize the risk of crop loss.
Despite these efforts, the quantity of produce may vary from week to week and season to season due to extreme weather, insects, or other production factors.
We work hard to provide you with the full amount that you pay us for and the number of items you expect - however, due to circumstances out of our control - you may occasionally see a week with 3 items instead of 4 (half share) or 6 items instead of 8 (whole share).
By joining our CSA, you are agreeing to share the risk of crop failure with us and other members.
3. Picking up your share
You are responsible for picking up your share at your designated time and place each week. Members pick up between 3:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays either at Milkweed Farm or at the Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro or on Fridays at Milkweed Farm.
These times are firm—we will begin on time and pack up and clean up promptly on pickup days. CSA days are long and start at sunrise for us—we have kids to put to bed and evening farm chores to tend to, even on CSA days!
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We encourage you to bring your own bags, boxes, or cooler to carry your vegetables home. However, we do reluctantly supply recycled plastic shopping bags in case you forget your own.
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Planned Absence: If you know ahead of time that you will be unable to pick up your share, we encourage you to ask a friend or family member to pick up your share in your place. Please do your best to explain how CSA pickup works to that person (parking, how many items to take, etc). If you can’t find someone please be in touch.
Unplanned Absence: If you miss your pickup, please let us know. Depending on availability you may be able to collect your items at the following pickup day (Tuesdays for Friday members and Fridays for Tuesday members). We hope that members will limit themselves to one unplanned absence per season.
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If your pickup is on the farm, you are welcome to come early and enjoy the farm—check out the pear orchard, walk the paths in the fields, or just relax in the shade. However, the distribution area will not be ready for you to get your vegetables until the appointed start time: 3:30 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.
If you pickup at the Root, please do not arrive before 3:30.
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Pickup will happen rain or shine; it will not be canceled due to inclement weather, unless there is an extreme weather event.
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If you missed your pickup, please let us know. Depending on availability you may be able to collect your items at the following pickup day (Tuesdays for Friday members and Fridays for Tuesday members). We hope that members will limit themselves to one unplanned absence per season.
4. Safety AND Logistics
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The Root Social Justice Center generously opens their doors to us to use their space as CSA pickup location.
Please respect their space and do not leave behind refuse or belongings. If ever you have a CSA related question direct it our way, do not contact the Root with Milkweed Farm questions or concerns.
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On the farm, we have a single-lane driveway. Please drive slowly and watch for kids, cats, and pedestrians!
If there is a car coming in the opposite direction you may need to reverse so another car can pass.
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On the farm there are several parking options (lookout for the signs!), up the driveway to the right across from the greenhouse or in front of our three bay barn.
Please make sure that you are not blocking anyone’s exit. Exercise caution when backing out.
At The Root, please park in the adjacent parking lot.
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We do our best to minimize risks to you and your family when you are visiting the farm; however, we are a working farm and it is impossible to eliminate all hazards.
Uneven ground: Please exercise caution when walking around the farm—especially in the fields where there may be potholes, slippery grass, or other tripping hazards.
Electric fence: We use electric fences to contain animals and protect them from predators. We try to turn off all sections before CSA pickup; however, to avoid an unpleasant jolt you should assume that all fence is “hot” and don’t touch it without asking first.
Farm animals: We raise occasional animals - chickens, pigs, turkeys. They are fascinating to watch and we encourage you to do so. However, we ask that you do not feed them, pet them or enter their enclosures unless one of the farm staff is present.
Farm equipment: Please do not climb on, operate or move any farm equipment or tools.
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Visiting Milkweed Farm (MWF) is a wonderful experience for the entire family and we feel that every child should be able to see how their food is grown and how farm animals are raised.
We try to make MWF as family-friendly as possible; however, as outlined above, there are potential hazards for children.
Please supervise your children at all times. If you have older children, please discuss these guidelines with them.
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We love dogs and have one of our own. However, there are many animals on the farm as well as other CSA members and their children who may not be as comfortable around dogs.
We ask you to assess your own dog—if they are very well-behaved around animals, adults, and children, you may bring them to the farm.
Your dog must be on a leash and restrained by you at all times. Due to food safety concerns, only service animals are permitted in the barn or Farm Store.
5. Payment
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By selling memberships in advance of the growing season, CSA reduces the burden of up-front costs for the farmer. Your membership fees early in the year provide us with much-needed capital to purchase seeds and equipment before the season starts, and we appreciate your commitment.
All members are required to pay a non-refundable deposit equivalent to 1/7 of the full cost of their share when they sign up in order to maintain a place on the list. We encourage members to pay off their remaining balance by March 1st if they are able. Members are welcome to pay for their CSA share in full when they sign up.
2025 Deposit Amounts as follows:
Small Share Deposit: $68
Medium Share Deposit: $102
Large Share Deposit: $136
We feel strongly that everyone should have access to the nutritious food that we grow at MWF and we will work with those in financial need to make this possible.
If members are unable to pay in full by March 1st, they are welcome to pay us in monthly installments. We will invoice folks monthly from May - October (6 times). We ask that folks pay promptly on or before the first of the month.
We also partner with NOFA-VT to provide subsidized shares. Members interested in a subsidized share should indicate as such on our sign-up form. NOFA-VT usually makes application materials for the Farm Share program available in February.
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A 2-week trial period is offered to confirm suitability, as we understand a CSA Membership is not for everyone and every situation.
If in the first two weeks you decide to cancel your MWF CSA membership, we will give a prorated refund minus your non-refundable deposit.
Please allow two to four weeks for your refund.
6. Communication
The best way to communicate with us is via email. Our general email inbox is milkweedfarmvt@gmail.com. If you prefer to call, Emily’s phone number is (802)490-0926. We will do our best to respond within 24 hours.
Please contact us with any news of the following: changes to your postal or email address, if you missed your pickup, dissatisfaction with your share, or anything else you would like us to know.
For questions or concerns on pickup days (or any other day) please always reach out to us, never to the Root.
We will communicate with you by email. When you sign up, you will be added to our mailing list, which we will use to communicate important information about our CSA and farm events. Every week, we will email a newsletter giving you information about the crops available, recipe ideas, photos (when available), and other farm-related news.
Though unlikely, MWF reserves the right to change any part of this Membership Agreement & Guidelines document. By signing you understand that MWF will contact your via email in advance of any changes to this agreement.