2012 CSA Program

WELCOME TO BADGER ROCK FARM'S 2012 GROWING SEASON!

Do you love fresh, locally grown vegetables, but struggle to find the time or the energy to grow your own garden? Badger Rock Farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program might be the answer for you. If you choose to subscribe, you will receive a weekly “share” box (or ½ box, for smaller households) of freshly picked, in-season produce for the duration of the growing season. 


If you would like more variety, you may add local Drange Apiary honey, eggs from Badger Rock Farm's pasture-raised, organically-fed laying hens, and/or pasture-raised, organically-fed broiler chickens to your season's share. Details are below.

WHO WE ARE:

Entering its fourth year of operation, Badger Rock Farm is owned by Erin and Jim Janoso, and is located just one mile south of Roundup. Since 2009, a large variety of vegetables, freshly cut salad greens, herbs, broiler chickens, and eggs from pasture-raised, organically fed hens have been sold at the Yellowstone Valley Farmer's Market in Billings. A strong commitment to raising food via sustainable methods means that chemicals are never used on the farm, and, in addition to the plants and bugs they forage on pasture, the chickens receive only certified organic feed made from MT-grown grains.

WHAT'S A CSA?

In recent years, CSA programs have become an increasingly popular way for small farms to get produce to their customers. By purchasing a “share” in a farm's harvest at the beginning of the season, CSA members enter into an arrangement that is truly win-win. They enjoy the advantages of an abundant supply of extra-fresh vegetables for an entire growing season, they get to experience some new veggies, and ways of cooking, and they have an opportunity to develop a relationship with the farmer and the farm that grows their food. Kids (and adults!) get to see first hand where and how their vegetables get from the ground to their table. Farmers win too, because they get to really know the people for whom they are growing their vegetables, and they have the advantage of receiving payment for those veggies early in the season, when costs are highest.

Members of Badger Rock Farm's CSA program can look forward to 18 – 20 weeks of vegetable “shares.” Season extenders are always in use, but the true length of the growing season (and therefore the vegetables that are available) depends a great deal on Jack Frost's departure and arrival dates in the Spring and Fall. Each week's share box will be filled with whatever produce is growing on the farm at that time. Early season shares might include things like a bag of freshly cut salad mix, peas, radishes, kale and chard. As the season progresses, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, fresh herbs, potatoes, onions, garlic, lettuces and more will make their appearances as they become ready for harvest. 

HOW MUCH?

The price of a Badger Rock Farm vegetable share is competitive with what it would cost to purchase similar quantities of chemical-free, locally-grown produce at a grocery store or co-op, and averages to be approximately $25 for a full box ($500 for the full season). Half-shares average to be approximately $15 per half-box ($300 for the full season). A limited number of “working memberships” are also available, if you would like to exchange volunteer hours for a reduced rate on your CSA share. If you commit to one hour of work per week, you will receive $100 off of the cost of your seasonal share. A commitment of two hours per week brings a $200 discount off of the cost of your seasonal share. 


WANT MORE VARIETY?

EGGS:  Full Egg Share - $60; Half Egg Share - $30 


Badger Rock Farm's laying hens are pasture-raised and fed MT-grown, certified-organic feed. A full egg share brings one dozen eggs per week for 20 weeks. A half egg share brings a 1/2 dozen eggs per week for 20 weeks. You may purchase an egg share to be delivered with your weekly veggies, if you are also a vegetable share subscriber. You may also purchase just an egg share, independently of the vegetables, if you prefer. 


BROILER CHICKENS: Full Broiler Share - $115; Half Broiler Share - $55. 


If you do not want a "share," a limited number of individual birds are also available for sale at a rate of $3.75/lb. 


Badger Rock Farm's broiler chickens are raised on pasture and fed MT-grown, certified organic feed. They will be processed on the farm, frozen, and ready for pickup in late August. A full share will bring six broiler chickens, whose weights average between 4.75 - 5.5 lbs. A half share will bring three broilers, whose weights also average between 4.75 - 5.5 lbs. 


LOCAL HONEY: Full Honey Share - $50; Half Honey Share - $25


Drange Apiary, of Laurel, MT, is the source of this delicious, local honey. Enjoy the benefits of locally-produced honey, satisfy your sweet tooth, and help support another local farmer in the process. If you opt for a full share, you will receive a quart-sized glass jar of honey four times throughout the growing season (for a total of one gallon). If you would prefer a half share, you will receive four pint jars (1/2 gallon) of honey. 


WANT MORE INFO?

If you would like more information, or if you would like to subscribe to Badger Rock Farm's CSA membership, please email or call me, Erin Janoso, at erin.janoso@gmail.com / 406-320-0457. You can also visit www.localharvest.org/csa for more information on CSA's in general. 

It is with great pleasure that we begin this growing season. I am really looking forward to meeting my fellow local-veggie enthusiasts!