What is a CSA ?
Community-supported agriculture Community-supported agriculture (in Canada Community Shared Agriculture) (CSA) is a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. CSAs usually consist of a delivery system or pick-up of fresh farm raised foods. The term CSA is mostly used in the USA, but a variety of similar production and economic sub-systems are in use worldwide.
Why is the CSA model important to farmers and consumers? A CSA, or subcription model provides farmers with a predictable understanding of how much product to produce, and consumers have the confidence that the product will be available every month. Many times at farmers markets we have disappointed customers by telling them we're out of chicken or eggs or steak. As a member, we raise products just for you, and reserve it! This is particularly important with meat products, for several reasons. The cycle to produce meat is much longer than produce, so we know what to grow well in advance.
How does Burton's Farm CSA work?
Click here for CSA FAQ'S
*All CSA packages are priced per month*
Meat CSA Package #1
NEW this season, by popular demand. This package has the added convenience of having the chicken cut up for you.
FULL SHARE HALF SHARE
4 pkg. chicken breasts (2 breast per package) 2 pkg. chicken breasts
2 pkg. leg/thighs (4 legs & thighs per pacakge) 1 pkg. leg/thighs
1 pkg wings 2 lb. Ground Beef
4 lb. ground beef
$78.00 $36.00
Meat CSA Package #2
This package contains pasture raised poultry
along with 90% lean grass fed beef.
FULL SHARE HALF SHARE
4 Whole Chickens 2 Whole Chickens
8 lb. Ground Beef 4 lb. Ground Beef
$72.00 $36.00
Meat CSA Package #3
This package contains whole and cut up chicken
FULL SHARE HALF SHARE
4 Whole Chickens 2 Whole Chickens
2 Pkg. of Chicken breasts 1 Pkg. of Chicken Breasts
1 Pkg. leg/thigh's 1 Pkg. leg/thigh's
$68.00 $48.00
Raw Milk CSA
All dairy products are available for pick up at the farm only.
SHARE #1 SHARE#2 SHARE#3
1 Gallon per week 2 Gallons per week 3 Gallons per week
$20.00 $40.00 $60.00
*All CSA packages are priced per month*
Interested? We are currently taking memberships for the 2010 Season
Please fill out the form below
CSA Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CSA?
CSA means Community Supported Agriculture. It is a way for people to directly connect with the farms that produce the food for your family. The concept began with vegetable farmers who saw it as a way to spread the risk of farming as well as gain some much needed cash at the beginning of the season instead of at the end. The CSA sells shares in the farm prior to the growing season. As the vegetables are planted and harvested, members pick up their “share” or fresh veggies each week. Typically vegetable CSA’s require full payment prior to the start of the season.
Burtons Farm meat CSA operates on a similar community based principle. We offer a certain number of shares each six month cycle based on the number of animals we are raising. These shares are distributed at pre-arranged locations. Unlike the vegetable model, we charge monthly rather than upfront.
Why join a Meat CSA?
Our CSA is for people who want to know the farmer that raises their food and be sure that the meat they consume is humanely raised without any hormones or antibiotics, all while supporting the local economy,It is also for people who love great tasting meat!
How do I become a member?
Memberships are offered in six month cycles: Spring Cycle is May thru October, Fall Cycle is November thru April. Fill out the CSA Registration Form and you will receive a follow-up email within a day or two, that will confirm your membership and contain pickup information as well as billing information.
How much does it cost? Do I pay all at once?
Please view our packages for specific costs. You do not need to pay for it all at once, but rather you pay at the first of each month when you pickup your share for that month. We accept cash and checks at the time of pickup. At this time we are not set up to accept credit cards, however we can send you an invoice thru Paypal.
Our costs are directly tied to the cost of raising animals in a humane and sustainable fashion here in the Ozarks. Please note that although we charge each month, we fully expect our shareholders to honor their six month commitment to us. We plan our animal stock based on the number of members we have.
How do I get my meat?
When you enroll in our CSA you pick a specific site. Each month you will receive a reminder to pickup your meat. You arrive at the site any time during distribution. You will receive your share.
What happens if I miss a pickup?
We do send a reminder out just prior to pickup each month, but email is not perfect. . We do expect to see you at your pickup. If you know in advance you can’t make a distribution, we ask that you take responsibility for finding someone else to get your share. If this is not possible, please provide notice to us and we will try and work out alternative arrangements. The notice must be provided at least 48 hours ahead of distributions.
Can I buy your meat anywhere else?
Yes, our meat is available for purchase at The Greater Springfield Farmers Market. Our CSA members take priority,(we make sure to have enough on hand to supply their orders)
Our very popular meat CSA is the core of our farm business and the members of our CSA are an integral part of our farm family. We would like to say thanks, it is very humbling to have you support our efforts here on the farm, without you it would be next to impossible to keep farming, in today’s times. It is very exciting to get back to a way of life when folks in local communities supported one another. When you support a farm like ours you are assuring that we will continue to have local food.
Thanks again!