Community Supported Agriculture
Dear Friends,
Welcome to 2008. Since moving to Barre in 1982 with our four small children we have made a priority of farming organically and as close to nature as we can. With the passing years, we have grown more conscious of natural cycles and we have started to incorporate additional methods such as permaculture and biodynamics into our organic system. Recently, we have been incorporating methods of soil remineralization. This will be our 22nd year of organic certification.
2007 was a real year of change for us. We integrated ex-offenders into our farm and recently we have established Many Hands Sustainability Center, which will help us to enhance our work with ex-offenders (12 guys will be coming here twice per week for hands on training in 2008), broaden our farm workshops, participate in on-farm research to improve our farm viability, and more consciously share findings with other farms in the Northeast.
We look forward to providing you with the highest quality certified organic vegetables, vegetable seedlings, fruits, flowers, and free-range organic meats. Thank you for your role in sustaining community based agriculture in this region.
Jack & Julie
What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Historically, CSA (brought to this country in the mid-80's) was established to more directly connect farmers and consumers; get money up front to farmers when they really need it; get consumers the freshest possible produce; and take a little bit of the risk out of farming with a guaranteed market. We have been running a CSA since 1992 on our farm. Upon receipt of your reservation and deposit, we will send an invoice with the balance due at variable dates depending on when the CSA starts. Contact us for alternate payment schedules if cash flow is an issue for you.
Philosophy
We have always believed in an integrated growing system that includes livestock, vegetable, and fruit crops. Our animals and plants benefit from this relationship and the farm fertility is more independently sustainable. Additionally, we purchase organic amendments and use foliar sprays to provide the highest possible fertility for nutrient-dense crops.
How do I know this CSA food is Organic?
Many Hands Organic Farm was certified organic by NOFA/Mass, the Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter, from 1987 to 2000 and by NOFA/Mass Organic Certification from 2001-2003. The NOFA/Mass Certification Program changed its name to Baystate Organic Certifiers in 2004. We are presently certified by them. We are happy to explain our practices and answer your questions about how your food is grown - just send us an email. Go to the NOFA/Mass website at www.nofamass.org to join with all those who care about organic food to help educate yourself and to further the work of advocating for organic farming in Mass and the region.
In the produce department, besides our vegetable, fruit, and flower shares (see our shares page), we sell garlic seed, garlic braids, and flowers to individuals and a wider array of fruits and vegetables to Living Earth Natural Foods Store, the Barre Farmers Market and other local businesses.
What is Organic Food?
Organic food is produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers by methods which respect soil life and emulate natural ecosystems as closely as possible. Fertility is provided by composts, green and brown manures, mulches and rock powders. Pests are controlled by rotating crops, building natural plant defenses, and constant vigilance. Weeds are held down by mulching, cover cropping and hand or mechanical removal.
Individuals concerned about food quality are increasingly interested in organic food. Those with allergies and chemical sensitivites appreciate the absence of toxic residues. Those concerned with taste and nutritional quality find that organic produce retains flavor and quality much longer than that grown with chemical fertilizers. At this time, with no laws regarding the labeling of genetically modified food, organic certification is your best practical assurance that the food is not genetically modified.
How do I join?
If you'd like to learn more about the various options for shares, please follow this link. If you are interested in purchasing a share, you can fill out a form and send it in here.