Questions about CSA (Community Sustainable Agriculture)
What happens if I can't pick up my CSA share?
Anyone can pick up your share, they just need to give your name. A great deal of work and planning goes into preparing for pick up day, so we cannot let you pick up on a different day or time, nor can you pick up at one of the farmers markets we attend.
May I get more than my share?
Yes you may. We usually have enough to sell you extra items. We will also have our own jams, jellies and honey for sale and occasionally may have some produce items that are not included in the share for sale.
May I split a share with someone?
Yes. However, for our record keeping purposes the share will only be listed under one persons name, so we ask that only one of you sign up, or we will think that we have sold 2 shares. We will not split the share for you. One person will have to pick up the share and you will have to split it between yourselves.
Why Sustainable Farming?
1. “Organic” is a term for a type of regulated farming practices -
many of which have been employed by farmers for thousands of years. These practices denote methods that build the soil and enhance the environment while prohibiting the use of certain chemicals that are harmful to animals and people.
2. Certified Organic farms -
We decided not to be a certified organic farm. The paper trail, record keeping and additional clerical procedures required became overwhelming. We applaud those who can complete these tasks! We plan to farm with responsible and sustainable methods but not go through the certification process. This means lower costs for us and helps us keep our prices in line with other producers (a very important aspect for customers).
3. Non-Certified Status
Please feel free to ask our employees about how we farm, what we use on our fields, what practices we use and what our philosophy is about producing crops. We pledge to use sustainable, responsible and earth friendly standards, to be transparent with our inputs and farm in the same manner we have been for the past 4 years. Feel free to visit, but please make an appointment first.
4. Many farms use harsh chemicals for herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.
(The statistic that floors me is that although Iowa has 1/12th the population density of Massachusetts, they pay 4 times the amount for their water….The run-off of these chemicals is leaching into the ground water and flowing in to the rivers and streams. There is a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico attributed to farm run off that is the size of New Jersey.
5. Safety.
The health of those who work with us on the farm is extremely important. Some farms use products that have cautionary notices that read like a death novel - we do not want to work around these products nor do we want that for those who labor with us.
6. Environment.
We are across the street from a Dartmouth water pumping area. Our healthy farming practices ensures healthy water!
7. But do you use “chemicals” on your products?
Every input into our fields will be approved by the Organic Standard OMRI. Certain chemical compounds, many made from plant based components, are safe pesticides. We bring a catalogue for customers concerned with chemical usage to every market so they can read the ingredients of the product we are using. Many find the explanations very interesting and we have never lost a sale!
8. Are your products more expensive?
We try to charge the market rates for our products because we feel that sustainably grown produce should be available to everyone. Why some farmers charge more is because instead of taking easy, short term solutions like spraying a field with toxic weed killers, a sustainable farmer needs to mulch, weed-wack or hand weed. Many such practices are more labor intensive than conventional methods. However, we do believe that in the long term sustainable agriculture has less cost involved - no sick workers, no polluted water and no harmful residue on food.
9. What you eat!
Lastly, pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified products adversely effect the consumer. Eating organically produced food is healthier for ALL of us.
10. What are some of the fruits and vegetables Silverbrook Farm carries?
Click here to view our Rainbow of healthy foods.
11. What are some of the nutrients I can find in Silverbrook Farm's fruits and vegetables?
Click here to view our Rainbow of healthy foods and their nutrients.
~Where Do I Find You?~
Silverbrook Farms 2008 Market Schedule - June thru November
We sell gift certificates at all of the markets we attend, just ask!
Out of Cash? No worries, we now take credit cards at the markets!
Sunday:
Boston South End Open Market
540 Harrison Street
10 AM to 4 PM
Fairhaven Farmers' Market
Corner of Route 6 & Main Street
1 to 4 PM
Monday:
Boston City Hall Plaza Farmers' Market and CSA Pickup
11 AM to 6 PM
Tuesday:
Harvard University Farmers' Market
Next to Memorial Hall
1 PM to 6 PM
Vineyard Haven / Tisbury
Location TBA
9 AM to 1 PM
Wednesday:
Boston City Hall Plaza Farmers' Market and CSA Pickup
11 AM to 6 PM
Thursday:
Dorchester - Codman Square Farmers Market and CSA Pickup
Codman Square
1 PM to 6 PM
Falmouth Farmers' Market
Peg Noonan Park
300 Main Street
Noon to 6PM
Friday:
Copley Square Farmers' Market and CSA Pickup
Copley Square in Boston
11AM to 6PM
Dartmouth Farmers' Market
Rex Field in Padanaram right across from the bike shop on Elm Street.
1 PM to 6 PM
Saturday:
Provincetown Farmers' Market
East of the Town Hall off of Commercial Street.
11 AM to 4 PM
Plymouth Farmers' Market
Town Hall Square.
9:30 to 1 PM
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