What does a share cost and what does it buy?

Shares comes in two sizes - small and full. Choose to pick up your share at the farm in Marshfield or in Montpelier at Vermont College of Fine Arts. A small share costs $389 and a full share costs $589 when paid in full by April 1 (add $10 if paid after April1). Prorated shares are available throughout the season. The right size for each household varies based upon the amount of produce consumed on average. In general, we have found that a small share satisfies a couple and a full share satisfies 2 adults with children. The suggestions stated here are simply based upon our members' general feedback on what has worked for them.Some single people prefer the full share because it allows them to freeze some food for the winter. Some families of three or four people prefer the small share because they tend to use less produce. Please note that our shares are not designed to be split between households (e.g. it is hard to split one head of lettuce or broccoli). What do you get for your share? Some examples -

• More than 40 different vegetables throughout the season
• A weekly share of freshly harvested & washed produce
• Pick-your-own flowers, cherry tomatoes, beans & herbs Monday & Thursday, 10AM-6 PM and Tues, Wed. & Friday, 10 AM - 3 PM.
• Savings of 10-20% off organic retail & farmers market prices
• Small shareholders pay $22/week for an average of $25 worth of produce; full shareholders pay $33/week for an average of $38 worth of produce. (Note: our small share is 2/3 the size of our full share, it is not a "half" share.)
• Newsletters, recipes & an invitation to our fall Harvest Banquet!
• Opportunities to purchase bulk produce for canning and freezing, e.g. tomatoes, broccoli, etc. Canning recipes provided.

CSA shares are distributed from approximately mid-June to mid-October, depending on the season's weather. You will receive a postcard in June announcing our first pick up date. Generally we begin around June 20, but we may begin slightly earlier or later depending on the weather. You can see an example of a typical harvest cycle here.

 

Receive $15-worth of your favorite crop as a thank you for getting a friend to join Wellspring CSA!

 

What kind of produce do you raise?

We raise over 40 different kinds of vegetables, flowers and herbs and many, many varieties. How do names like Sugar Baby, Athena, Bright Lights and Love-in-a-Mist sound? Each year finds us raising a few new items in addition to our old standards. While we focus on growing the vegetables that are most familiar, we also like to introduce our members to items they may not have tried before like bulb fennel and celeriac. We love experimenting with new crops, seeing how well different fruits and vegetables do in the unique Vermont climate. Of course, our harvest is also dictated in part by the weather.

Here you will find a simple chart that shows our most popular crops and likely harvest dates. The list is neither exhaustive or constant. As with the weather in Vermont, the list will change with the seasons and with what the weather permits.

Supported Share Program

We want to make our CSA available to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. To that end, we raise funds for “supported” shares from our CSA shareholders.  For eligibility guidelines and an application form, see the NOFA-VT Farm Share page  Tell a friend! Applications should be mailed directly to NOFA-VT. Please note that the subsidy offered by this program does not cover winter shares or the Montpelier drop off fee.  Donations to help our members in need can be mailed directly to Wellspring Farm. Please write check to NOFA-VT with “Wellspring Farm” written in the check memo. Thank you for your support!

Payment Plans

We appreciate one payment in full if possible. If you'd like to pay in installments, please pay a$150 deposit by April 1 and the remainder by June 1. We accept SNAP/3 Squares benefits. Inquire for details. Email us for other payment plans if this is a hardship.

Working Memberships

Trade your labor for your share. Please see our Employment page for information.

How do I join?

Simply print out our membership application and mail it with your payment. You will receive a confirmation receipt and information about our first pick up.

Early Renewals

If you paid a $30 deposit toward your share last fall, please deduct it from the balance due on your membership form. Not sure if you paid a deposit? Email Mimi.

Winter Share Details

• Our winter share is a one-time distribution in mid-October, typically consisting of 30 lbs of mixed root crops, 8-10 lbs of mixed winter squash, and a few heads of garlic. Many of the crops in the winter share are mix-n-match, e.g. if you don’t like beets you can exchange them for carrots; and you select the winter squash varieties you prefer.
• The winter share is easy to store at home. Storage tips here. We expect the share to last an average household 1-2 months before you’ve eaten it all up.
• On the day of your share distribution, please bring boxes and sturdy bags to hold approximately 40 lbs of produce.
• To reserve your share, simply submit a check (via mail or at your summer CSA pick up location). Include your contact info and let us know if you want to pick up your winter share on Mon Oct 11, 4-6PM at the farm in Marshfield or on Thurs Oct 14, 4-6PM in Montpelier outside Alumni Hall, VT College. We will send you an email the week prior to remind you of your date.
• Email mimi@wellspringcsa.com for more information and to sign up; or sign up at your regular CSA distribution.

Bulk Storage Crops for Sale - Available October - November of each year

• Wholesale prices
• Easy to store
• Eat local this winter   

CARROTS, BEETS, POTATOES, ONIONS, WINTER SQUASH $38 FOR 25 LBS or $68 FOR 50 LBS Garlic $9/lb (usually around 7 heads or so)

*Crops are sold individually. For a mix of these crops, try our winter share.*

Late Policy

What if I miss a pick-up?
Each pick-up day we harvest for the number of shareholders expected that day. If you know in advance that you will miss a pick-up, please inform us 48 hours in advance so that you can choose from the following options to get your share: 

• Switch your pick-up site from the farm to Montpelier, or vice versa, for the week.
• Have someone pick up your share for you.
• Offer your share to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker if you will be out of town.
• Receive a double share prior to or after your absence.

Please note that your share is already discounted at least 10-20% off organic retail prices.  If you miss a share or two you are still receiving a good value for your money.

 

What if I won’t make it to the pick-up by 6PM?

Simply call (leave a message) or email by 5:30pm and we will bag your share for you.  Messages left after 5:30 PM unfortunately will not be received in time to bag shares. Bagged shares with your name will be left in our cooler at the farm for up to 5 days, or at the Montpelier pick up site for the evening. To access the cooler at the farm, enter the white door on the right side of the large red barn.

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 The Vermont College of Fine Arts, next to Alumni Hall at the top of East State Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering about how the CSA pick up actually works?  Considering a split share?  Want to know more about pick-your-own crops?  Answers to many frequently asked questions are contained in our New Member Orientation flyer.