Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

CSA Shareholder Season 2010 begins in May!

Former Shareholders: registration begins February 16th
New Shareholders: registration begins February 23rd

Register by filling out the 2010 CSA Shareholder Application

Summer Farm Academy now open for registration for high school students

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at Hidden Villa provides members of the local community with a weekly supply of fresh organic vegetables. In addition members of the CSA program have the opportunity to get to know the people who grow their food, as well as the land from which it comes. The CSA program works by having our members purchase a share of the harvest at the beginning of the season. We pack baskets of vegetables for them once a week from mid-May until Thanksgiving.

The CSA also provides part of the backdrop for Hidden Villa's Environmental Education Programs and Summer Camp Programs. Future farmers and environmental educators are trained in all aspects of sustainable organic vegetable farming through the Agriculture Intern Program and Environmental Education Intern Program.

 

What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Community Supported Agriculture ( CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers. When community members buy a share of the farm's harvest they enjoy fresh, local, organic produce every week and minimize the farmer’s financial burden. At Hidden Villa, members purchase a share of the harvest at the beginning of the season and receive a basket of vegetables once a week from May until Thanksgiving. CSAs are a valuable direct marketing strategy for small farms as well as a resource for community building, outreach, and delicious food.

Who grows my food?
Hidden Villa's CSA was started in 1994 by Andrew Scott who has guided operations here for 17 years. In 2007 Jason McKenney took over management of the farm. Prior to working at Hidden Villa, Jason ran his own CSA farm in Half Moon Bay where he grew organic fruits and vegetables for ten years.

Jason works with two first year agriculture interns who gain hands-on experience and training while working and living on the farm. One of these interns comes to us through the MESA program (Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture) that brings people from other countries to the United States to learn organic farming skills. Additional information on Hidden Villa's intership program can be found here Hidden Villa internships

Also in 2007, the CSA successfully piloted an advanced farmer training program, our Journeyman Farmer position. The Journeyman Farmer manages the farmers' market, supervises field crews, and participates in all aspects of greenhouse and field production. These four full-time farmers rely on the help of many volunteers who contribute their time and energy in the fields.

 

 

What can I expect as a shareholder?
Full and half share sizes are available for the 2007 season. Full shares have enough produce for four people, and half shares are good for two. Produce will vary throughout the season. In June you may find lettuce, spinach, garlic, onions, potatoes, and fava beans. In August, chard, summer squash, basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn, and watermelon. In October, carrots, beets, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and winter squash.

 

How do I sign up?
You can download our registration form from our web page or contact us for a copy. Simply print the form and send with payment to Hidden Villa CSA, 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. Shares are filled on a first-come-first-served basis, so don’t delay! We will send an acceptance letter to let you know your share has been reserved.

 

Prices
Half shares are $550 up front or $600 if you choose to pay in installments. Full shares are $950 up front or $1050 in installments. If you choose to pay in installments, a $100 (half) or $150 (full) deposit is required. Monthly installments of $125 (half) or $225 (full) can then be paid.

 

Pick-Up Locations
Shares can be picked up on Tuesdays or Thursdays at one of three pick-up locations: Hidden Villa Farm, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. We will inform you of the exact pick-up address one week in advance of beginning the CSA. Pick-ups start at 3pm at the farm and 4pm in town. Baskets will be available for pick-up until noon the following day.

 

Visit the Farm!
Hidden Villa is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. To get here, take Hwy. 280 to the El Monte/Moody Rd. exit in Los Altos. Go past Foothill College to stop sign, left onto Moody Rd. for 1.7 miles. Enter through Hidden Villa gate at 26870 Moody Rd. on the left side of the road. We welcome volunteers on the farm every Wednesday from 9:30-12:30 followed by a potluck lunch. We’d love to see you there!

If you would like more information, please contact us at csa@hiddenvilla.org, visit our website, or call us at (650) 949-8647.