Good Earth Food Alliance
A collaborative of west central Illinois sustainable growers and producers
Mailing list sign-up




What's New?
2/21/10 Newsletters
2/7/10 Our Mission
2/7/10 Grower/Producer Profiles
Herbs

GEFA growers offer a wide variety of herbs - all picked within 24 hours of delivery.

Basil (many varieties), chive, cilantro, dill, edible flowers (borage, calendula, nasturtium, bee balm, anise hyssop), fennel, French tarragon, lavender, lemon balm, lemon mint, lemon verbena, lovage, spearmint, peppermint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sorrel, thyme.

 

What is a CSA?

Says Good Earth grower, Lyndon Hartz, "I farm because there is a better way and I want as many people as possible to eat food like I do."

 

What is a CSA?

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a unique model of local agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the farmers' face on food." This concept traveled to Europe and was adapted to the U.S. and given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985.  It’s estimated that the number of CSA’s across the United States has since grown to over 2200.

 

How does it work?

No responsible grower wants to invest in seeds, seed starts, planting equipment, and other up-front costs until they have assurance of a market wanting to purchase their farm fresh produce.  By paying for your seasonal produce at the same time the farmer is getting ready to plant, you are assuring the farmer of a market for the food and the farmer is committing to grow that food to the best of his or her ability.  When harvest season opens in May, you will begin receiving the highest quality produce that grower has to offer delivered weekly to a drop-site in your community.  A CSA membership with the Good Earth Food Alliance group of growers provides the added assurance that, should one grower experience a crop failure, there’s an entire network of back-up growers who can help fill that void.

 

What’s my responsibility?

Your primary responsibility will be to pick up your share of fruits, vegetables, and herbs at the designated drop site at the designated time.  Because you will have already paid for your foods, no exchange of funds is necessary. 

The original definition of a CSA included member involvement in the work of the farm.  As much as GEFA growers appreciate a helping hand in the field, we recognize the fact that the time and travel associated with a trip to one of our farms may be more than folks can swing.  Our philosophy is that we love visitors but understand that our CSA members show us their greatest support by purchasing shares and supporting our endeavors financially.  Contact us if you’d like to visit one of our farms.  We’d love to have you!