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For a CSA orientation click here.
Share sign-up available throughout the season on a pro-rated basis. Tell a friend!
We look forward to welcoming you!
Winter Shares Now Available $75/share
1-time pick-up in mid October of easy-to-store-at-home root crops. More info here.
Labor Day Schedule
No CSA distribution on Monday, Sept 6. Instead Monday members pick up on Tuesday, Sept 7, 4-6PM.
**NEW** Putting Food By packages for sale here.
PYO Schedule
week of 8/16
| Item |
Full Share |
Small Share |
Location |
Harvesting Tips |
Likely Availability |
| Beans |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
In the fields behind the big red barn |
Pinch beans off bush at the stem. |
most of the time through Sept 21 but check web for updates |
| Cherry tomatoes |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
In the field near the corn |
|
Through Sep 10 |
| Hot Peppers |
2 peppers |
1 peppers |
in the field near the cherry tomatoes |
we have 3 varieties which are arranged from mildest to hottest in the field (Anaheim, jalapeno & paper lantern) |
Late September |
| Basil |
take what you need |
take what you need |
In the fields behind the big red barn |
Gently snip tops off with your fingers; leave the remainder of the plant so it regrows |
mid September |
| Culinary Herbs |
take what you need |
take what you need |
In front of the CSA pick-up shed |
Use scissors. Herbs dry nicely when hung in a spot out of direct sunlight |
til Oct 1 |
| Flowers |
20 stems |
12 stems |
In front of CSA pick up shed |
Use scissors available at pick up shed |
Through September. |
PYO Hours:
Monday & Thursday: 10AM-7PM
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10AM-3PM
PYO Notes:
- You will find painted signs in the fields indicating the PYO crops.
- Scissors and pint & quart containers available in the CSA pick-up shed. Please return used containers so we can re-use them.
Please send questions to mimi@wellspringcsa.com
Song: "Yellow Watermelon" written and performed by Marianne
Donahue Perchlik, Wellspring CSA member. Click here to
play the song.
About Wellspring Farm!
Since 2003, we have been growing five acres of high quality organic vegetables
and flowers on our beautiful farm on the banks of the Winooski River in
Marshfield, Vermont. The majority of our produce is sold via community
supported agriculture, or CSA. Our enthusiastic CSA members pick
up their produce weekly at the farm or in Montpelier from
late June to early October. Both small and large shares include an
abundance of fresh, organic, seasonal vegetables and fruit direct from our
fields. Shares
include pick-your-own crops like peas, beans, cherry tomatoes and flowers
for a hands-on experience. Come on by the farm! (See our map and directions
to the farm on the Contact
Us page.) Notice the changes in the season, cut flowers in the garden
with a friend, munch on cherry tomatoes right off the plants. Wellspring
CSA is perfect for families, city folks seeking a country break, nature
freaks and children of all ages. We are now over 130 member families strong
and growing! Wellspring Farm is managed by farmer Mimi
Arnstein, (Mimi pronounced “Mi-mee”; rhymes with “Jimmy”) who, with a vital staff of apprentices, unsuspecting volunteers
and suspecting ones like Mimi’s husband, Parker Nichols, provides local members with quality fresh organic produce. Wellspring
Farm is conveniently located on Route 2 in Marshfield, 13 miles from Montpelier,
along the beautiful Winooski River.
Directions
Directions to the farm: From the west -- Take Route
2 east past the town of Plainfield. Turn right onto Patty's Crossing immediately
after signs for Meadowcrest Campground (approx. 4 miles beyond Plainfield
village). Go over bridge. Turn right to Lafiria Place. The farm is at the
dead end. From the east -- Take Route 2 west past Marshfield village. Turn
left onto Patty's Crossing (approx. 3 miles from Marshfield village). Go
over bridge. Turn right to Lafiria Place. The farm is at the dead end.
Directions to Montpelier CSA Pickup location:Thursdays, 4-6PM. Located at Vermont College, behind Alumni Hall at the top of East State Street.
Farm History
Wellspring Farm has been farmed organically since the late 1980s. It was the home of one of Vermont's very first CSA farms, started by Farmer Les Snow. Prior to that, cows roamed our pasture and were milked in our historic barn. There has been one famous resident at the farm: Luvia Lafirira. Luvia was a woman with clairvoyant visions. Folks throughout central Vermont tell us stories of getting their fortune told or finding a lost pet with the help of Luvia. Apparently even the police came to Luvia for assistance! She felt that our land and natural springs were a source of energy and perhaps sacred; hence our chosen moniker, Wellspring Farm. The land here is rich indeed! Since 2003, the land has been farmed by Mimi Arnstein who has been growing locally for 10 years.
One local resident remembers Luvia and offered this remembrance:
I lived in the small house on your farm from 1975 through 1978 and knew Luvia and her husband George. Luvia told me that she was aware of her clairvoyant powers since she was a small girl growing up in Plainfield Village where her father was a blacksmith. She repeatedly said that she felt all of us have access to the same powers/insights. It was just a matter of being able to “see”. Luvia felt that the spring on your farm was a source of energy and was perhaps sacred. She used to comment that Lord’s Hill was a power source that was recognized by Native Americans. She didn’t go into much detail about Lord’s Hill but she more than once commented on its unique qualities.
Luvia was very well known for her ability to locate lost items – and people. There was one incident where she helped the Maine state police to find a lost boy – in Maine without her ever leaving Marshfield ! I also recall a producer for a new play on Broadway coming to the farm (most of her readings were scheduled for Sunday afternoons, as I remember) to ask her how the play would do. I regret not asking her what play it was!
Luvia and George are buried in the cemetery off US Route 2 near the East Montpelier/Plainfield boundary. A scene from the farm is engraved on their stone with them in the horse and buggy.
Wellspring Farm CSA
Statement of Integrity
Wellspring Farm CSA is a small scale farm business that produces the
highest quality produce for our community. We provide healthy, fresh
food, strengthen community, and educate about farm sustainability issues.
We teach our apprentices all aspects of small scale farming in order
to create farmers of the future. We create a fine quality of farm life
that provides for our economic, social and emotional well being.
To meet these objectives we:
. Practice ecological responsibility for all living things
. Provide a safe workplace that is financially stable
. Pursue a livelihood in which physical and mental demands are
challenging yet enjoyable, and are balanced with rest and reflection
. Develop a pathway where supporters interact and build upon our sense
of community
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