Frequently Asked Questions about our vegetable deliveries
How can I sign up to receive veggies?
Registration for the 2021 Community Supported Agriculture/Farm Share program is officially closed. We are limited in the number of shares we can offer each season. Thanks to all who have signed up! Registration typically opens in December and closes we reach our maximum number of customers - sometimes this happens as early as March or April. Sign up is promoted through our Facebook page and on the website.
What is a CSA?
CSA stand for Community Supported Agriculture, sometimes referred to as a farm share. Community members buy a "share" of the farm during the winter months, providing seed money for the farmer to make garden plans and purchases. When the growing season arrives, the farmer provides a regular delivery of vegetables to the community members. Read more about the CSA model from Local Harvest.
What are the different types of deliveries you offer?
We offer full and half size boxes, delivered every week or every other week. We also have monthly options or short season shares. More details are below:
Summer Season Share: Enjoy the full season of fresh, locally-grown vegetables with deliveries available between June 1 and September 14. Full or half size boxes are available, and you may choose between weekly boxes or every other week deliveries.
Short Season Shares: If you prefer to receive deliveries for just a portion of the season, one of our short season boxes may be the best fit. Pair a couple months together, or try the once a month box to sample different seasonal veggies. Short season shares are available in full boxes only.
Fall Stock-Up Share (NO DELIVERY AVAILABLE - FARM PICK UP ONLY)
Stock up on fall favorites with this plus-sized full share, featuring storage onions, winter squash, root crops and more. Perfect for those who like to stock their pantry with local produce as the growing season winds down.
Canning Packages: If you enjoy canning, reserve a package now for August/September delivery.
Beef Shares: Receive a monthly beef bundle from Kollasch Family Farms in Whittemore, Iowa
What if I signed up, but forgot which share I ordered for this season?
No problem! Just contact us and we'll remind you what size share you have reserved.
How is a CSA different than shopping at the farmers' market?
Both are successful ways to connect with local farmers, but CSA and the market are different. The farmers' market is great for those who want certain items in particular amounts. You can pick and choose exactly what you want and decide how much you are getting. You might have to stand in line, or help us unload our truck when we're running late, but hopefully that's part of the fun!!
The CSA is a good fit for those who enjoy (or are willing to try!) a wide range of vegetables in a variety of ways. We plan our garden season around our CSA customers and make their share of the farm a priority. If you like to eat lots of different things, have the time to cook and eat a meal at home at least once or twice a week and have fun trying new recipes, a CSA membership might work well for you!
Where and how are the boxes delivered?
Currently delivery is available to homes and businesses in Algona. If you live out of town, boxes can also be picked up from the Algona Family YMCA or from our farm. For those picking up at the YMCA, any boxes not picked up within 24 hours will be donated.
When are boxes delivered?
Tuesday is delivery day, with boxes typically delivered between 4 and 6 p.m. Farm pick ups can be made anytime after 3 p.m. We are happy to hold your box in our cooler if you can't pick it up that day.
What if I'm out of town on delivery day?
If you aren't home the day of your delivery, we can hold it at the farm for you in our walk-in cooler. You are welcome to pick it up when you are able. We are also glad to "gift" your box to the person of your choice. Please give us a minimum of three days notice if a delivery change is needed. Thank you!
Can I pick and chose what I get in my CSA box?
Sorry, no. Due to the number of deliveries we make, we typically are unable to take special requests such as "no zucchini, please" and so on. If there are certain items you don't enjoy, it's a great opportunity for you to share those with a neighbor, family member or friend who does.
When do I receive my salsa or sauce package?
If you added an extra package onto your share, we will contact you to set up a time for delivery. Typically sauce and salsa packages are ready in August or September. If you have a date when it would be convenient to receive your package, please let us know.
What is in the box?
The contents of your box will vary from week to week, depending on what is in season. Each box includes a list of what is included and some recipe ideas. The first four weeks are very green and leafy with lots of spinach, greens, salad mix and lettuce. We eventually work into peas, greens beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, basil, sweet corn, potatoes, squash, cucumbers and many other items. We try to grow a tasty mix of garden favorites, like red tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers with a few interesting things like purple cauliflower, heirloom tomato varieties, and Red Russian kale.
May I come and tour the farm?
Farm tours are available - please contact in advance to let us know when you would like to visit. We would love to give you a tour of the farm!
Do I have to pay for my share all at once?
A down payment of $50 is required at the time of sign up to reserve your share. Payments can be made in up to four installments. Shares must be paid for in full by May 18, 2021 for the 2021 season.
How can I sign up to receive veggies?
Registration for the 2021 Community Supported Agriculture/Farm Share program is officially closed. We are limited in the number of shares we can offer each season. Thanks to all who have signed up! Registration typically opens in December and closes we reach our maximum number of customers - sometimes this happens as early as March or April. Sign up is promoted through our Facebook page and on the website.
What is a CSA?
CSA stand for Community Supported Agriculture, sometimes referred to as a farm share. Community members buy a "share" of the farm during the winter months, providing seed money for the farmer to make garden plans and purchases. When the growing season arrives, the farmer provides a regular delivery of vegetables to the community members. Read more about the CSA model from Local Harvest.
What are the different types of deliveries you offer?
We offer full and half size boxes, delivered every week or every other week. We also have monthly options or short season shares. More details are below:
Summer Season Share: Enjoy the full season of fresh, locally-grown vegetables with deliveries available between June 1 and September 14. Full or half size boxes are available, and you may choose between weekly boxes or every other week deliveries.
- Full Box Every Week (16 deliveries)
- Half Box Every Week (16 deliveries)
- Full Box Every Other Week (8 deliveries)
- Half Box Every Other Week (8 deliveries)
Short Season Shares: If you prefer to receive deliveries for just a portion of the season, one of our short season boxes may be the best fit. Pair a couple months together, or try the once a month box to sample different seasonal veggies. Short season shares are available in full boxes only.
- June Share (5 boxes, every Tuesday in June)
- July Share (4 boxes, every Tuesday in July)
- August Share (5 boxes, every Tuesday in August)
- Monthly Share (5 boxes, delivered once per month in May, June, July, August and September)
Fall Stock-Up Share (NO DELIVERY AVAILABLE - FARM PICK UP ONLY)
Stock up on fall favorites with this plus-sized full share, featuring storage onions, winter squash, root crops and more. Perfect for those who like to stock their pantry with local produce as the growing season winds down.
- Fall Stock-Up Shares (3 boxes, available the last three weeks of September)
Canning Packages: If you enjoy canning, reserve a package now for August/September delivery.
- Salsa Package - includes 20 lbs. of canning tomatoes, plus onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers and garlic
- Sauce Package - includes 20 lbs. of canning tomatoes, plus onions, garlic, peppers and basil
Beef Shares: Receive a monthly beef bundle from Kollasch Family Farms in Whittemore, Iowa
- Once per month in June, July, August and September, receive a beef bundle that ranges from burgers, steaks, ribs, roast and other delicious cuts of beef.
- Purchase Beef Shares separately or order as an add-on to your veggie share through the online form.
- June Beef Share
- July Beef Share
- August Beef Share
- September Beef Share
What if I signed up, but forgot which share I ordered for this season?
No problem! Just contact us and we'll remind you what size share you have reserved.
How is a CSA different than shopping at the farmers' market?
Both are successful ways to connect with local farmers, but CSA and the market are different. The farmers' market is great for those who want certain items in particular amounts. You can pick and choose exactly what you want and decide how much you are getting. You might have to stand in line, or help us unload our truck when we're running late, but hopefully that's part of the fun!!
The CSA is a good fit for those who enjoy (or are willing to try!) a wide range of vegetables in a variety of ways. We plan our garden season around our CSA customers and make their share of the farm a priority. If you like to eat lots of different things, have the time to cook and eat a meal at home at least once or twice a week and have fun trying new recipes, a CSA membership might work well for you!
Where and how are the boxes delivered?
Currently delivery is available to homes and businesses in Algona. If you live out of town, boxes can also be picked up from the Algona Family YMCA or from our farm. For those picking up at the YMCA, any boxes not picked up within 24 hours will be donated.
When are boxes delivered?
Tuesday is delivery day, with boxes typically delivered between 4 and 6 p.m. Farm pick ups can be made anytime after 3 p.m. We are happy to hold your box in our cooler if you can't pick it up that day.
What if I'm out of town on delivery day?
If you aren't home the day of your delivery, we can hold it at the farm for you in our walk-in cooler. You are welcome to pick it up when you are able. We are also glad to "gift" your box to the person of your choice. Please give us a minimum of three days notice if a delivery change is needed. Thank you!
Can I pick and chose what I get in my CSA box?
Sorry, no. Due to the number of deliveries we make, we typically are unable to take special requests such as "no zucchini, please" and so on. If there are certain items you don't enjoy, it's a great opportunity for you to share those with a neighbor, family member or friend who does.
When do I receive my salsa or sauce package?
If you added an extra package onto your share, we will contact you to set up a time for delivery. Typically sauce and salsa packages are ready in August or September. If you have a date when it would be convenient to receive your package, please let us know.
What is in the box?
The contents of your box will vary from week to week, depending on what is in season. Each box includes a list of what is included and some recipe ideas. The first four weeks are very green and leafy with lots of spinach, greens, salad mix and lettuce. We eventually work into peas, greens beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, basil, sweet corn, potatoes, squash, cucumbers and many other items. We try to grow a tasty mix of garden favorites, like red tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers with a few interesting things like purple cauliflower, heirloom tomato varieties, and Red Russian kale.
May I come and tour the farm?
Farm tours are available - please contact in advance to let us know when you would like to visit. We would love to give you a tour of the farm!
Do I have to pay for my share all at once?
A down payment of $50 is required at the time of sign up to reserve your share. Payments can be made in up to four installments. Shares must be paid for in full by May 18, 2021 for the 2021 season.
