Frequently Asked Questions about the 'New Farm'

What's the difference between a CSA Owner vs. CSA Member?
As mentioned, The New Farm will be limited to 500 owners.  If we have less than 500 Owners, then we'll take on members.   Member shares will be just as they are now, calculated based on Market prices with a discount.  Owners will receive much larger shares for the same price, essentially an equal part of everything we grow.   In addition, Owners will have opportunities to participate in decisions about seeds/foods we choose to grow.   Owners provide input for and use the of greenspace/woods surrounding the fields. Owners will be even more connected to their food source and have more food security through such direct support of a sustainable farm.  Owners and families can visit the farm to learn more about sustainable production.

How can the food quantity, variety and quality increase for same price?
With your one time owner investment, we'll be able to buy land and put in the ideal infrastructure for producing foods.  Currently we rent a large portion of our fields. We sell some of our food at Market and to Wholesalers to cover this cost.  When you own the land, we'll grow everything for you. We can also put in a well, permanent irrigation, orchards, etc, that didn't make sense on rented ground, to produce foods more efficiently.  Overall the risk of growing food will be greatly reduced, so we can focus on CSA production and less on unpredictable markets.   Variety can also be increased since we will not be filling our fields with standard crops requested by wholesalers.  We'll be able to plant small patches of many things you request.

How can this work with only a $485 investment? 

Although we are waiting for your input before we finalize plans, Jeff has been developing the idea.  Counsel examined the basic precept and is confident we can build a structure to suit our needs.  Over 3-5 years of developing the land, improving the soils and implementing projects, this project will bring many sustainable principles together to benefit everyone involved. Needless to say, much thought, work, and a million details go into a project of this scale. The general time line is mainly based on the number of owners.

With 0-124 owners The New Farm concept cannot go forward this year. We will continue providing our own certified organic CSA share just as we have in the last 2 years and continue developing The New Farm idea.

With 125-225 owners, we will: finalize legal/business plans, purchase the land on 5 year contract, dig the well, plant an orchard, start fencing for livestock, create 3 acre tall grass prairie/pasture, create greenspace for picnics/ owner recreation, and greatly increase the variety and quantity of owner shares.

With 226-400 owners, we will pay off the land, dig a pond for recreation and irrigation, build a large pavilion for food handling, possibly preservation, and owners to use for special events - Everything the brochure promises.
With 400-500 owners, the limit, we will build 10 new green house bays for year round CSA shares.

Will the CSA work any differently?

The CSA will be essentially the same.  If/When we purchase the new farm, growing food will gradually transition to the new property over 2-3 years, as the fields are prepared.   The increase in size will begin immediately and increase over time as we improve the soils and complete the transition.  The yearly cost of the CSA will continue to cover seeds, labor, soil amendments, etc that are needed every season.  CSA shares will also be delivered to drop sites as they are now, but with more sites to accommodate more owners/members, until we reach 500 owners.

How do we proceed?
We would really appreciate feedback from everyone.  Letting us know if your interested or not will help us plan.  When 125 people have pledged to participate, we'll hold a meeting in Indy and Bloomington to discuss some details and start working with Legal Council to finalize the structure.  At this point, if you feel good about the final plans, we'll collect the money to purchase the land and start infrastructure improvements.

Do you have other questions?  Please contact us.

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