Frequently Asked Questions

♥ How much will we receive in our shares throughout the season?

Share sizes differ each week based on availability of produce, which is dependent on a wide range of variables such as weather conditions: amount of sun, heat/cold, rainfall; crop variety; time of year; pest or weed pressure; timeliness of planting; and so on. We strive, however, to have a minimum of 8 different kinds of vegetables or fruits each week, and a maximum of about 16 in good weeks. These amounts average across the season to about 3/4 bushel or more, or say... one standard paper grocery bag, which typically feeds a family of two adults and two children for a week. However, our members' needs and wants are different, and what one family considers plenty, another family might think too slim. If you have a family that loves vegetables and you have the time to prepare several meals weekly, then purchase a full share. If you're an individual or couple and tend to eat out a lot, you should probably purchase an every-other-week share. If you have a large family or you like to juice your fruits and vegetables, consider getting two shares. And, please remember that we sell extra produce at the East Troy and Delavan sites, so you can always bulk up on some of those things that you really love.

An example of an early season box (June) contained lettuce, peashoots, strawberries, hakurei turnips, mustard greens, spinach, arugula, pac choi, garlic scapes, and rhubarb.

An example of a mid-season box (August) contained lettuce, tomatoes, melons, peppers, potatoes, chard, beets, summer squash, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, onions, parsley.

A late-season box (October) contained lettuce, leeks, potatoes, chard, carrots, turnips, chinese cabbage, garlic, broccoli or cauliflower, and pie pumpkins.

♥ Do you grow all the vegetables and fruits we receive in our shares, and is everything organic?

We grow the vast majority of items you receive in your shares each week. Some produce, such as corn and potatoes, requires large amounts of land to grow or requires sophisticated or costly equipment that makes for easy or quick harvest. We usually contract the growing of our corn, and we sometimes need to buy extra potatoes to make it through the CSA season, but we always purchase these items from growers that we know and respect, and if at all possible, we make sure that we buy organic.

♥ Can we exchange items we don't want for those that we do want?

We would like to provide a bin at the end of the Farmer's Market-style pick-ups that would allow you to leave items that you do not want, in exchange for picking up something that you might like better, if that something is already in the bin. Leaving an item in the bin would at least better guarantee that it would be used by someone else and not composted by you at home. This option will only be available at the Farmer's Market-style pick-ups; members picking up at other sites will not be able to exchange items. We cannot otherwise exchange any produce.

♥ What is this vegetable and how do I use it? 

We often include photos in our newsletters of some of the odder and less familiar vegetables, herbs, and fruits that we grow. It can be a bit confusing sometimes, especially when we include different varieties of a given kind of produce. Sometimes these different varieties come in shapes, sizes, and colors that are very different from the traditional variety. We have also included a page on this website that describes many of these vegetables. Go to What is That Vegetable?

♥ Even though I have an Every-Other-Week Share, can I receive all of the newsletters so that I can stay abreast of news of the farm, recipes, and so on?

Everyone on our mailing list receives a weekly newsletter during the CSA season. If you are an Every-Other-Week subscriber, the message subject line will tell you whether or not it it your week to pick up a box. We also archive 5-6 back issues of the newsletter on othe website, so that you can access them at anytime.

♥ What should I do if I am unable to pick up my share one week?

If you are unable to pick up your share, it is imperative that you notify us at least 48 hours in advance to make special arrangements; or you may have someone else pick up your share for you. Any boxes that are not picked up during the regular time become the property of the site host. The majority of pick-up sites do not have after hours pick-up or refrigerated storage space, and we do not want to impinge upon the generosity of our site hosts by complicating their schedule.

♥ How can I add organic beef, chicken, or eggs to my order?

It is also possible to have organic grass-fed beef, chicken, or eggs delivered to your pick-up site once a month on a pre-arranged date by contacting our neighbors Bob or Beth Van De Boom at VDB Organic Farms Call them directly at 262-740-7284 to make arrangements.

♥ Can I visit the farm?

We will offer several nutritional, cooking, educational workshops, and events during the season. A Harvest Festival is also planned for the coming fall. We are happy to show you around the farm if you make an appointment.