Please read the below information regarding our Community Supported Agriculture Program.
The CSA program is a wonderful arrangement between member and farmer in which the member receives a share of the farmer’s harvest each week in exchange for one payment at the beginning of the season. Farming is a unique profession in that it requires significant overhead costs at the beginning of each growing season which must be recovered later and is highly dependent upon the weather. By entering into this relationship, members agree to ride the tide with the farmer and contribute to the initial overhead cost the farmer typically endures on his or her own. As farmers, we understand that the risk can be great but know that it is well worth the benefit of providing local produce to our community’s table; maintaining the green, open space of the farm; and continuing the farming traditions that we love. We are grateful for your willingness to enter into this relationship with us.
Policies
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Size and Cost of Shares: Buppert’s Farm CSA will provide home grown and local goods to our members each week.
*Peak Season Advantage (PSA) Share - details: · First three weeks – you receive 4 units · Next 17 weeks (week of peak season harvest) – you receive 8 units · Final four weeks – you receive 4 units
SNAP Participants: If you are interested in becoming a CSA member and you participate in SNAP, please ask us how to use your SNAP benefit when paying for your CSA membership.
The produce shares will be set up as buffet style unless we have circumstances that demand a pre-boxed share. Please bring your own bag in which to put your goods.
Pick-up Days and Times: We will have one pick-up location at the farm. Shares will be available: * Tuesdays from 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm at the farm. *After hours pickup is available. * Thursday evenings between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm at the farm. *After hours pickup is available. * If you are not able to pick up your share, please arrange to have someone else pick it up for you so that you do not lose the opportunity to enjoy your share. * If your share is not picked-up , it will be donated to Carroll County Food Sunday or another local food bank - as needed.
Duration of 2024 CSA: The CSA will run for 24 weeks beginning on May 28th and ending on November 7th. Cancelling Membership: As you commit yourselves to participate in our CSA, we commit ourselves to being your farmers and bringing you the best possible product we are able. When you make the initial commitment, we depend on your support through the season to help us carry on. Therefore, memberships cannot be cancelled. However, memberships can be transferred to another person if you feel you are unable to continue participating or using your share. Please inform us if you choose to transfer your membership.
Sharing a Share: You are free to share a share with someone else. Please apply as one person, but we ask that you add two email addresses so you both receive updates. Your payment must be made as one single check. Please designate one member to pick up the entire share and you must split it as you wish your turf, on your time.
Joe and his granddaughter, Gretchen, in the organically-grown blackberry patch.
Crop Failure: Crop failure is a part of farming. In 2011, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs severely damaged our crop of peppers, but we had an amazing harvest of tomatoes. The 2014 season proved to be a productive season for bell peppers which was reflected in CSA shares. The wet weather proved to be quite a challenge during the 2019 growing season. In the event of a natural disaster or some other phenomenon that could wipe out all of our crops, there are no refunds. We will make every effort to provide you with a fair share of produce each week. However, your agreement to participate in our CSA means that you are willing to experience those failures and successes with us. Welcome to farming!
Many varieties of cauliflower.
Information Regarding Produce from Our Farm:
Joe and his grandson, Henry, in the tomato field
In order to maintain the integrity of our crops, we strive for a natural and sustainable approach in our farming methods. Please read on to obtain a sense of our efforts for a strong, dynamic ecosystem and a tasty, healthful product.
In order to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, we…
Plant cover crops to naturally fix nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil
Rotate crops to maintain healthy soil nutrient levels and break weed, pest, and disease life cycle.
Regularly test soil and apply lime to maintain a healthy soil pH
Utilize no-till farming practices to allow a healthy soil microbiome to be constructed
Gretchen with a mixed kale bouquet.
In order to reduce erosion and prevent it from entering our waterways, we…
Mulch rows of crops which also provides natural weed management
Contour our fields
Maintain buffer zones of trees, shrubbery, and other vegetation which line our waterways
In order to manage weeds and pests as responsibly and naturally as we are able…
We use biodegradable and natural pest management applications. Many of the products we use fall under organic certification.
We use the MDA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to minimize spray applications. Only spraying when IPM warrants means using much less, only on an as needed basis.
In order to reduce our water usage, we use…
Low flow watering heads in our greenhouses
Sub-mulch, slow drip irrigation on selected crops to direct water precisely and limit evaporation; water is only applied during excessively dry periods.
Information Regarding Goods from Local Sources:
We provide you with produce in the same manner and quality that we stock our Farm Market. We sell products from local farms, apiaries, and family businesses. For example, you may choose a fresh loaf of bread from the local bakery or a dozen eggs in your share. The eggs we sell are cage free, hormone free, locally produced eggs. You may also find a jar of honey available in your share. The honey is locally harvested and unprocessed honey. However, the majority of goods in your shares will be grown here on our land and by our hands. We do everything we can to collaborate with nearby small sustainable farms and businesses to promote the consumption of whole, locally grown food.
Calendar for CSA Members
Pick up will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (You select your day at the time of purchase.) Location: at the farm stand 6914 Ridge Rd. Marriottsville, MD 21104
First Pick-up for 2024: Tuesday, May 28th and Thursday, May 30th
Last Pick-up for 2024: Tuesday, November 5th and Thursday, November 7th