Frequently Asked Questions About Holcomb Farm CSA

Well, okay. We offer half shares so members don't have to share. But if you do want to share, there are three ways to share an on-farm share: 1) Come at the same time to pick up your share; 2) One person picks up the share and delivers half of it to the share partner; or 3) Share partners alternate weeks. We will post both names on the check-off sheet.

Absolutely not! We harvest and wash the majority of the crops for the shares. You just need to pick them up. A few crops are available only for Pick-Your-Own, including cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, green beans, edamame soybeans, strawberries, raspberries, hot peppers, herbs, and cut flowers. Most members find the PYO experience a highlight of the farm.

Anytime during daylight hours. A listing of available crops and the necessary tools and supplies will be available outside the barn. If you find the deer fence closed when you come, please make sure it's closed when you leave.

No, we are unable to individually pack boxes for the West Hartford drop off.

We use the national organic standards as a guide to our practices but we are not certified organic. Click here for more information.

Click here for distribution times.

Yes if you are picking up in West Hartford. No, if you are picking up at the farm. You may come anytime during our distribution hours, one visit per week.

What if I Can't Pick Up My Share?

The best option is to spread the wealth and have a friend or neighbor pick up your share. If you have a West Hartford Share and no one can pick up your share, please call the farm before noon on Tuesdays so we don't pack you a box. If you pick up at the farm, there is no need to call. We distribute food 6 days per week. If you don't pick up your share, we'll give it out at the next distribution day, to one of our organization members, or to Foodshare.

Technically, members share the risks and rewards of the growing season. In reality, we've gotten pretty good at ensuring plenty of good produce for all members. In the last few years we've been through both extremely wet years and extremely dry years, and we still had abundant harvests and happy members. Of course, major weather related catastrophes could really set us back. Each year, certain crops do better than others, but we hedge our bets in many ways: with multiple plantings of 200 plus varieties of dozens of crops; seven different fields with different soils that behave differently in different conditions; a thirty week growing season; an improving irrigation system; and more lessons learned every year about how to manage crops for abundant healthy yields.

Do I have to volunteer? Can I volunteer?

Unlike many CSA's, we do not require a volunteer commitment. We do, however, welcome and encourage volunteeers. We have a few special fun and productive member workdays. Click here to see this season's calendar. We also need help staffing some of the distributions at the farm. You can sign up on the calendar at the on-farm distributions. If you'd like to help out at other times or have a special skill or interest that you'd like to share with the farm, let us know.

Yes. We have a few openings for working shares. It requires a commitment of at least 60 hours of work during June-August. Call Sam for more info.