COMMON WEALTH CSA
A Great Cooperative CSA in Greenfield, Massachusetts
The Common Wealth CSA has been offering shares since 1998, as a cooperative of several farms that distribute in the walkway next to the local co-op (Green Fields Market) on Main St. in Greenfield, MA.
If you're looking for the Red Fire Farm CSA, this is one of Red Fire's pickup locations (a shared endeavor with other farms, with slightly different details), and we offer many other locations which you can find out about on the Join the Red Fire Farm CSA page.
Our four farms, Red Fire Farm, Shoestring Farm, the Benson Place, and Rainbow Harvest Farm bring together a great selection of local seasonal produce every week for this CSA. You can see the farmers and some of their gorgeous veggies in the photo to the left.
Our Goals and Visions: As farmers we seek to cooperate with each other and with shareholders to develop an alternative food system that supports our interdependence while building trust with one another. Our concern for people and sustainable living leads us to cooperate in our efforts to provide healthy and affordable food while building healthy relationships within our wider community. We wish to share with others in learning to live more sustainably and encouraging each other’s gifts and efforts toward a common goal. We wish to include other growers and shareholders in expanding our common wealth.
COMMON WEALTH HARVEST & SHARE INFO
Harvest Season:
Crops have been scheduled for harvest starting June 15th
and ending October 26th (20 total weeks) - we have increased the distributions from 17 to 20 weeks for this season!
Pick-Up Site:
Farmers bring freshly harvested produce to the pick-up
site behind Green Fields Market, 144 Main St., Greenfield. Shareholders
come from 3-6:30 pm on Wednesday to select their shares.
Share Options & Cost:
We are offering one share size which provides for
two adults. The share averages 10-12 pounds per week, lighter in the leafy
spring, heavier in the summer and fall.
We continue (since 2005) to offer
a sliding scale fee: the low end is for those who, like us, are economically
challenged; the high end will bring Common Wealth farmers’ incomes closer
to a living wage. We ask that unless you consider yourself low income
you pay at least $475 for a share. Payments over this amount will be used
to subsidize shares for low-income shareholders. Share
scale: $425-$525. Price is increased this year because there are now 3 extra weeks of pickups for a total of 20 weeks!
Work Exchange is available and encouraged for those who need to reduce the cost.
Volunteers on farms and at the distribution site are appreciated. We suggest that each shareholder volunteer at least once during the season.
Payment:
A deposit in the winter or spring secures your share. Three
additional payments are made in June, July and August.
Full payment up front is appreciated by those who can afford it, as farming requires significant up-front costs each spring. More flexible payment schedules are available.
New for this Season! Common Wealth Members can add a Pick Your Own option to share in the pickings at Red Fire Farm's new Montague farm land.
CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMON WEALTH CSA :
Suzanne Carlson continues into her twelfth year as bookkeeper/administrator
and contact person.
Suzanne Carlson 413-774-4120
WHO MAKES UP COMMON WEALTH CSA
Shoestring Farm (Colrain):
Richard Pascale has been farming (on 3 acres) since 1972, including selling
at the Greenfield Farmers Market since 1975.
Jay Snyder started there
in 2001, when he exchanged work for a portion of a share in the CSA; Jay
has become an important part of the farm’s success in recent years. While we have currently chosen not to apply for certification, we continue to adhere strictly to the standards set forth by the USDA National Organic program.
Red Fire Farm (Granby):
Ryan Voiland and crew grow 65 acres of certified organic produce, plants and flowers on an 80-acre farm in Hampshire County and new farmland in Montague MA. Ryan has been growing and vending produce since he was 12, over 20 years of organic farming!
The Benson Place (Heath):
Dave Gott and Mark Benjamin supply the CSA with unsprayed wild blueberries starting in late July and running while supplies last.
RAINBOW HARVEST FARMs
A new contributor to the Common Wealth CSA, Rainbow Harvest Farms grows a wide range of unique and specialty vegetables on both their 9 acre farm on Adams Rd., and their (1/3 acre) urban farm near downtown Greenfield. They currently cultivate almost 2 acres of vegetables, specializing in heirloom and unique varieties, and are creating a permaculture influenced food forest on another 2 acres of the Adams Rd. property. David Paysnick and Charmae Bartlett own and operate the farm.
ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS
Maple Syrup from Shoestring Farm.
Call Richard for grades and availability:
413-624-3358.
Fall and Winter Produce Shares with Red Fire Farm to extend the season
from October through December.
413-467-7645.
PYO plus pre-ordered bulk boxes of Wild Blueberries from the Benson Place. 413-337-5340
“We come in peace” they said “to dig and sow.
We come to work the lands in common
And to make the waste ground grow.
This earth divided we will make whole
So it will be a common treasury for all.”From the Diggers at St. George’s Hill. England, 1649