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 heirloom tomatoes. 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.
Thank you for your interest in Burton's Farm CSA.
We are a family run farm, we do not hire any labor. So every plant and animal gets the attention it deserves from one of our family members. This does limit our production so spaces for the CSA are limited. We want you to be happy with your membership. Our goal is to provide you with wholesome food choices for your family. All input, questions and concerns are welcome, as we do our best to serve you.
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:
»Click here for CSA FAQ'S«
All CSA meat packages are priced per month*
Meat CSA Package #1
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
$100.00 $50.00
Meat CSA Package #2
Both packages contain 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
$100.00 $50.00
* If you do not see what you want/need please email us with what you would like in a custom CSA package and we will put it together for you.
We also have Raw Milk from our grass fed Jersey cows available at the farm to go along with the meat. Please let us know if you would like to pickup milk when you come to the farm.
This season we will not have any eggs available.
*All meat CSA packages are priced per month*
4 . chicken breasts (2 breast per package) 2 . chicken breasts2 . leg/thighs (4 legs & thighs per pacakge) 1 . leg/thighs 1 wings 2 lb. Ground Beef 4 lb. ground beef 4 Whole Chickens 2 Whole Chickens 8 lb. Ground Beef 4 lb. Ground Beef We also have Raw Milk from our grass fed Jersey cows available at the farm to go along with the meat. Please let us know if you would like to pickup milk when you come to the farm.This season we will not have any eggs available.
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” of fresh veggies each week. Typically vegetable CSA’s require full payment prior to the start of the season. We understand that is a lot of money upfront for the member.
Burtons Farm 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 traditional vegetable model, we charge monthly for the meat CSA rather than all of it 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, GMO's 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-Summer Cycle is May thru October, Fall-Winter Cycle is November thru April. Send us an e-mail letting us know what package you would like, then you will receive a follow-up email within a day or two, that will confirm your membership.
How much does the meat CSA 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 and credit card at pickup.
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, farm or Farmers Market. Before each pickup you will receive an email with pickup dates and information. You arrive at the site any time during distribution. You will receive your share.
Can I buy your products anywhere else?
Yes, our meat and produce is available for purchase at The Greater Springfield Farmers Market and at our farm. 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!
The Burton Family