Hello Dear CSA Members! The following are all the details for the 2024 SPRING CSA PROGRAM - Starting THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH (DENVER AND MONUMENT) AND FRIDAY APRIL 5TH (COLORADO SPRINGS AND PEYTON)! The season is a full 10 weeks long with the final week coming on Thursday & Friday, JUNE 6TH AND 7TH!
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Preseason Meeting
THIS MEETING IS REQUIRED FOR NEW MEMBERS. Though it is not mandatory for existing members, it is beneficial to get a refresher!
We will be having an informational pre-season meeting on Monday, APRIL 1ST @ 6pm If
you have any questions, this would be a great time to ask. We will do our best to keep it short. 45 Minutes TOPS. The meeting will
stay posted for about a month after the meeting so you can go back and re-watch it. To tune in to the Facebook Live and to participate you must already be a member* of or join the Ahavah Community Facebook Group HERE before the meeting.
** The video will be posted to Youtube and sent out for all non-Facebook users.
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What to expect:
2024 is our 10th CSA YEAR!!!, and we are proud to say that we have built one of the best CSA programs in the United States, and this past year we were recognized as one of the top 10 most sustainable farms in the United States (2023 and 2024!!)!
These accolades don't come without very high standards of excellency, although we are far from perfect, we strive very hard to ensure that our CSA program reflects this and we hope you will have the best CSA experience you have ever had because we want you to be members of our FARMily for years to come!
VARIETY:
The season is 10 weeks long (Summer will be 16 and Fall will be 12). One of the things that makes our CSA unique is our ability to balance out the value of your shares throughout the entire season, every season. This means that you won't receive a glut of veggies at the beginning of the season or really sparse shares at the end or vice versa. We grow a lot of varieties that other farms don't grow, but we also try not to grow too many "odd" varieties and try to keep those to the fringes for a fun change-up. Instead we grow mostly the staples you're familiar with and expand from there. We also try our best to include just one, sometimes two, varieties of microgreens in each share. These are highly sought after, and truth be told, many members' ultimate reason for being a member - they are that good. The varieties and some of the "bulk" may change throughout the season, but we try our best to keep things balanced. To learn more about what we grow, CLICK HERE.
VALUE:
The goal, from our perspective, is to give you as much variety as we can, while providing you with more than you paid for. Our goal is the following: >5% (small's), >10% (Medium's), and >15% (Large's) more value than what you paid for (we have NEVER failed at this goal, even in the worst of times). In the last season, Winter of 2024, we were able to give our members the following:
Small: 4.6375% |
Medium: 17.26% |
Large: 20.7% |
NEWSLETTER AND WEEKLY COMMUNICATION
Every Thursday we will send out a newsletter to our members and non-members. This newsletter will not only have articles and updates that are important to our members and community, but it will also be our main form of communication which will include your weekly harvest, what's in your bags that week and also what's available at the market and for sale! This newsletter will include any important changes and information you may need. Below is a picture of the bag-packing list for traditional shares, we also include pictures of the market style and extras boards each week. You can click and expand the pictures.
PS. In addition to being e-mailed our, this newsletter will also be posted to Facebook, to the Community Facebook Page and also to the blog at ahavahfarm.com/blog. Be sure to check these locations weekly if you don't receive our e-mails.
SPRING🌿🌞🌻Season Expectations Specifically🥬:
The Winter season was one of the best Winter Seasons we have ever had, though we ended on a little of a whimper due to the blizzard, the rest of the season was phenomenal and to be honest, the farm has NEVER looked so good at this point in the season as it does now! We are 100% planted and once the weather starts to warm up we are going to have an abundance like we've never had and our members are really going to be swimming in the most beautiful produce you have ever seen!
I can't imagine there will be any small weeks, unless something like a blizzard happens or something freak, but instead there should be a value-boom come this season and if you are a member, get ready, because it could be the best year we have ever had! We are super excited, and I hope you are too!
SUPPORTING LOCAL
Since this is a 100% local CSA, with 100% of everything being grown by our farm, there may be
fluctuations in your share sizes from week to week. There also may be items you have not tried before (actually probably many! - which is the fun!). We do our best to have as many protected crops as possible: against wind, hail, pests and more. However, nothing is 100% and this is FARMING. That means that it is not always up to us whether or not mother nature decides to give us a good season or a not-so-good season. Either way, we aim to get you quality produce consistently week after week.
PICKUP
Traditional Share: The traditional style CSA is a pre-packed bag every week of the season. The bag contents will vary from week to week (you will receive a list of what is in your bag). It may include a live herb plant from time to time. Many people love traditional because they get to be creative and try a large variety of items that they normally wouldn't select themselves. We try our best to make it as varied as possible. The benefits of the traditional share really boils down to convenience because we know the fuss of selecting and packing your veggies may not be your "thing" and that's ok! **This is the only option for door-to-door delivery, late pickup at Ranch Foods Direct, Woodland Park, Fountain and Elizabeth locations.
Market Style: The most beloved of all our programs and the most unique aspect to our CSA relative to so many others. With this option you show up and select your veggies from the coolers provided. Of course we provide tongs, signage, scales and bags for your convenience. Being a market-style member is a huge benefit to so many that are seeking community, choice and the feeling of being at a market. It's fun and lively, the like-mindedness of our community is really unique and to see the friendships being cultivated is heart-warming and special. The downsides to the market-style include the lack of convenience and if you are a late-comer, meaning you show up at the last minutes, there may be less choice available (since they have all been picked through). However, we try to balance it out so that we have plenty of variety throughout.
If you come to the farm you will see the banner below. It's how we treat each other and how we demand to treat you, our friends and community.
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DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN SWITCH?
Try traditional. Try market. Try them both!!
Change Any Time!
Did you know that you can choose either Traditional OR Market-style for your CSA membership? That's right, and it's one of the things that makes the Ahavah Farm CSA program unique. Not sure which one to try? Try them both - feel free to change your share selection any week. Simply e-mail Jessie and let her know that you would like to change from a Market to Traditional or vice-versa any time you choose. PS. You can do the same with your locations!
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Want to Change Your Location?
We Invite You - ANYTIME!!
Did you know that you can switch your CSA pickup location ANYTIME!? You can switch for just one week, or 2 or the whole season...or whatever you choose! When you switch your CSA pickup location
to the Farm you'll be able to experience the farmer's market happening at the time of pickup, you can join the classes and events, view the farm, visit the nursery and meet YOUR community!
Though we want as MANY people as possible to pickup at the Farm, switching your CSA can occur between any of the other locations as well.
Simply e-mail Beth contact@ahavahfarm.com to let her know you'd like to switch for the season, the week or the month!
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COMMUNICATION
All communication for changes, holds, requests etc. MUST come through official E-MAIL and not through phone calls, Social Media, or even through Farm staff.
The following are the contact emails you may need:
AHAVAH FARM MAIN CONTACT: contact@ahavahfarm.com - this is the main contact for all CSA communication or general business inquiries.
AHAVAH COMMUNITY INITIATIVE MAIN CONTACT: aci@ahavahcommunity.org - this is the main contact for all Ahavah Community Initiative communication or general business inquiries, donations and volunteering.
AHAVAH FARM NURSERY MAIN CONTACT: nursery@ahavahfarm.com - this is the main contact for all nursery and seedling communication or general nursery-related business inquiries.
AHAVAH COMMUNITY MARKET and EVENTS CONTACT: manager@ahavahfarm.com - this is the main contact for the farm festivals, classes, tours and the festivals.
Follow updates, announcements, news and memes on our social media pages:
Ahavah Farm
https://www.facebook.com/ahavahfarm https://www.instagram.com/ahavahfarm/ Ahavah Community Initiative
https://www.facebook.com/AhavahCommunityInitiative https://www.instagram.com/ahavahcommunityinitiative/
Ahavah Farm Nursery https://www.facebook.com/ahavahfarmnursery
Our Hashtags
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Membership Benefit's
We are super excited to announce our new membership benefits for Auto-Renewal Members and for Non-Auto-Renewal Members!
*There is a one time fee for all NEW auto-renewal memberships.
All CURRENT Auto-Renewal members will be grandfathered in indefinitely with no membership fee.
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🚨🏷️Discounts for CSA shares!🏷️🚨
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🚨Easy & Flexible Payment Plans!🚨
🥕Introducing Paypal "Pay Later" options on the website! These are no-credit check, interest-free online payment plans so you can make 4 smaller payments directly through Paypal. Ahavah Farm benefits as well by paid immediately, thereby providing the farm liquidity, while giving our members flexibility and ease of mind!
🥕We also still have FLEXIBLE and CUSTOMIZABLE offline pay plans in place if you would prefer to make payments via check. Please email us at contact@ahavahfarm.com if you would like more information on offline payment plan and to set up your payment schedule.
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🚨Got SNAP? Save 50% Off Automatically!🚨
🥕If you receive EBT (aka SNAP) you will receive 50% off of your membership automatically!
In addition, all extra veggies sold at the market or the CSA locations and also all nursery plant starts are also 50% off when paying with SNAP!
Follow these steps to purchase your SNAP membership 👉
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GET YOUR SHARE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR!
Door to door deliveries are available for a fee ONLY between the Denver and Colorado Springs areas highlighted in grey on the map to the right. Sorry, but we are not able to deliver outside of that area.
Signing up is easy.
1. Log in to your dashboard at www.ahavahfarm.com
2. Next, click on "CSA- Delivery Signup" to see door to door delivery options.
3. All door to door delivery purchases must be made no later than Tuesday afternoon at 5pm, the week of delivery.
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Spring and Summer Share REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
💥💥With a Special Offer For Summer Members (SEE BELOW👇👇!!)💥💥
...and don't miss out on our REFER A FRIEND program to earn $25.00 for both YOU & a FRIEND!
If you are looking for the freshest, purest and most nutrient-dense vegetables you can this Summer, then you don't want to miss the Ahavah Farm CSA Veggie-Share! 16 weeks of the best veggies you can find. It's going to be an AWESOME year!
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/csa to register for our Spring & Summer season Community Supported Agriculture Veggie-Shares and get weekly bags of the freshest, most nutrient-dense vegetables available!!
✔The highest quality, 100% local, produce you can find, harvested and delivered fresh every week! ✔Pure, chemical-free, regeneratively grown produce. ✔Flexible payment options. ✔Many discounts are available - see website! ✔4 Locations for CSA pickup (Peyton, COS, DEN and Monument. ✔Door to Door delivery options available! ✔Got SNAP!? Get 50% off your CSA share automatically! ✔Every share supports families in need through donations. ✔Flexible CSA options, holds, credits and more! ✔Classes, events, tours and community opportunities.
⭐100% of everything we sell is grown and harvested and delivered by Ahavah Farm and Ahavah Farm ONLY - All produce is grown 100% on our farm in Peyton Colorado, near Colorado Springs without a single chemical, in rich, composted soil. We use biodynamic principles to grow the purest, most nutrient-dense vegetables available and deliver them to you fresh, every week!
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💥💥SUMMER MEMBERS ONLY - FOR OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY!💥💥
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HOLDS, CREDITS and DOUBLE SHARES
One of the things that makes our CSA special is that we offer you to place a
"HOLD" and to receive a "CREDIT" for a "DOUBLE SHARE." Follow these steps if you are going on vacation or taking a week off from CSA.
1. Email your request to place a hold to contact@ahavahfarm.com NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLD. This lets us know not to harvest as much that week.
2. Enjoy your vacation (or other reason for taking the week off).
3. When you are ready for your "DOUBLE SHARE" you must e-mail contact@ahavahfarm.com to place your request NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE YOU WANT TO RECIEVE THE DOUBLE. This lets us know we need to harvest a little more that week.
4. Enjoy your double share.
NOTES and RESTRICTIONS: If you request a double share, there is a possibility that we may request a different week due to one reason or another. Double-shares are USE-IT or LOSE-IT if you are not an auto renewal member. They ONLY roll over to a new season if you are signed up for our auto renewal program.
Please note that there is a maximum of 1 credit to be used per week (no triple shares), and depending on the season, credits are not guaranteed.
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CSA PICKUP LOCATIONS AND TIMES**
Times are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
**Please be aware that it is your responsibility to check the weekly packing list for updated information and changes at www.ahavahfarm.com/blog
North Colorado Springs @ The Dabler Residence
THURSDAYS
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
726 Airman LN,
Colorado Springs, 80921
Denver @ The Jewish Experience
THURSDAYS
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
399 S. Monaco St. Denver CO 80246
Go to www.theje.com to learn more about this location.
Peyton @ Ahavah farm
During the Ahavah Community Market
FRIDAYS
10am to 1:00pm
7545 N. Log Rd., Peyton, CO 80831
Central Colorado Springs @ Ranch Foods Direct
FRIDAYS
11:30am to 12:30pm (All)
12:30pm to 6:00pm (Traditional ONLY)
4635 Town Center Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80916
- Go to www.ranchfoodsdirect.com to learn more about this location.
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🥕EXTRA VEGGIES and PLANTS FOR SALE🌻
Please be sure to check out the extras table, available for all members and even NON-MEMBERS!
Simply come to any of the CSA locations on Thursday and Friday and pick up some of our beyond-organic veggies for sale!
DON'T FORGET: SNAP PARTICIPANTS ALWAYS RECEIVE 50% OFF!!
Food bearing plants also qualify for SNAP !!!
For Payment: Cash or Check at the CSA Locations or the balance can be sent via PayPal to contact@ahavahfarm.com or via
Venmo to 719-233-7828
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CSA/Veggie Share REFERAL PROGRAM!
Refer a friend to Ahavah Farm's CSA BOTH will receive $25 in credit to use ANYTIME you want! Use to buy extra vegetables, or take $25 off your next CSA purchase - your credit will never expire!
New members simply send an e-mail to contact@ahavahfarm.com to let us know who referred you and you BOTH receive your $25 certificate! It's that easy!😁
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Founded in April of 2018, our mission is to connect people who are facing food insecurity due to financial struggles to locally-farmed, regeneratively-grown produce, and to provide education centered around healthy living and environmental consciousness.
We do this by offering free CSA Memberships, offering classes, events, free garden plants and more.
Ahavah Community Initiative is a one-of-a-kind registered 501c3 non-profit organization that serves our community in a unique and wholesome way. We believe in this mission so much that all board members (including the Camire family) donate personally to it. Do you believe in this organization too? Please, if you do, consider donating if you have the ability!
Interested in making a tax-deductible donation to ACI? Ahavah Community Initiative is registered as a 501c3 with the State of Colorado as a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
Want to get involved with either ACI or as a volunteer on the farm? E-mail us to let us know. We are always looking for volunteers and we would love for you to join the party!
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Ahavah Farm & Ahavah Community Initiative
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/classes to learn more, to register and to see the rest of our schedule of events and classes!
👉March 29th @ 10am: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR Spring Market. It's the last week of our Winter Season!
👉April 1st @ 6pm: PRESEASON MEETING! Ahavah Farm CSA preseason meeting takes place for all CSA members at 6pm in the Ahavah Community Facebook Group. DON'T MISS IT!
👉April 5th @ 10am: It's our first HOMESCHOOL DAY of 2024. Bring the kids for this fun event. We will have an activity, a farm tour, and more. Plus, our FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR Spring Market
👉April 5th @ 10am: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉April 12th @ 10am: ADULT EDUCATION! How to Grow Your Own. Part 2 of 4. w/ Lorin Mattemore. Email Beth at contact@ahavahfarm.com
👉April 19th @ 10am: FAMILY FRIENDLY! Ahavah Community INDOOR / OUTDOOR Spring Market
👉April 22nd - April 26th: Week of Passover - EXPECT changes to the CSA pickup schedule.
👉April 29TH - MAY 3RD: 2ND Week of Passover - EXPECT changes to the CSA pickup schedule.
Go to www.ahavahfarm.com/classes to learn more, to register and to see the rest of our schedule of events and classes!
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BRING-A-BUCK!
Oh the amazing power of community and crowdfunding!
Every week, at all of the CSA locations, we have a bin or jar that looks similar to this. We ask all of our members to consider bringing just one dollar with them every week to help us provide a CSA membership to a families in need next season.
Don't say your dollar isn't important! The only way crowdfunding works is if we all participate. Your $1 is vitally important and it is directly through this program that we raise the majority of ACI's food donation funds than any other fundraising program, and yet it is the absolute easiest for all of our members to participate!
During the Fall season, your Bring-A-Buck dollars will allow us to donate Fall CSA shares to families facing food insecurity and to offer subsidized shares to struggling families as well.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR BUCKS!🙏
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Apply today for FREE, local vegetables from Ahavah Farm!
Applications for SUMMER 2024 are now open.
Do not miss this opportunity. All accepted applications include:
🥕Free Veggie-Share CSA Membership (8 weeks of fresh, local vegetables)
🥕Free and discounted classes
🥕Free garden plants if requested.
🥕All membership discounts.
🥕Free delivery available on request.
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Microgreen CSA Shares Are Available! Sign Up Today and SAVE 💲💲💲!
Love our microgreens but haven't signed up for a Microgreen CSA?
Did you know you do NOT need to be a Veggie-Share member to enjoy them!?
We pride ourselves on our microgreen quality as being not only absolutely pure - grown without chemicals, fertilizers or inefficient energy (we grow with 100% solar, renewable energy!), but they are absolutely beautiful, long-lasting and delicious! We really can't rave enough!
WHAT'S IN A SHARE? In your Microgreen CSA you will receive a combination of 3 microgreens every week with the option to purchase add-ons and extras when available.
Pickup locations and times are the same as Ahavah Farm Veggie Share CSA but you do not have to be a veggie-share member to be a microgreen CSA member - these are two independent programs combined into one.
Order yours today at https://www.ahavahfarm.com/microgreen-csa
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INDOOR/OUTDOOR- Farmer's Market
Friday's from 10a to 1p @ Ahavah Farm!
We are super excited about continuing the Ahavah Farm Farmer's Market for the 2024 seasons! We have room for 40 vendors and are looking for more!
ATTENTION LOCAL ARTISANS!
We are so excited about our current line-up of vendors, but we are still seeking more!
👉If you are a local vendor and are interested in attending our farmer's market, please reach out directly at contact@ahavahfarm.com and we will send you information and the vendor agreement.
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Ahavah Means Love.
We aim to BE love to our community. We aren't perfect, but we strive, and we hope you will too!
DID YOU KNOW that "Ahavah" means "Love" in Hebrew?
As most of you know, the name of our farm, "Ahavah," means "Love," but that's the English translation. So what does "Ahavah" actually mean and why did we name our farm this?
For many of us, when we say, "Ahavah means love" (which we say a lot), the idea that some conjure up immediately is an emotional, lovey-dovey, warm and fuzzy feeling of affection - and we get this reaction all the time: "Oh, that's so nice," we often hear, and I can immediately see in their heads that they are "feeling" the word, as opposed to "visualizing" the word and it's intended meaning.
So what is the intended meaning? The HEBREW word "Ahavah" or 'love" means "to serve, to be kind and to give." This is the literal meaning of the word for love and it is broken up in the following manner: the word "ahav" literally means "to give" while the word "ahavah" literally means "I give." Imagine for a moment that when you kissed your children goodnight, or share a moment with your spouse, or tell a friend "I love you" that what you really meant was "I give of myself to you and will sacrifice my life for yours." This is the true meaning behind what the word Ahavah means and what Ahavah Farm stands for. When we say, "Ahavah Farm" what we really mean is "Giving of Ourselves Farm" but that just doesn't have the same ring to it 🙂 .
As Jews, our family is called first and foremost to "be ahavah": givers of ourselves. To be kind, to be generous, to be uplifting and encouraging, to serve others, to make a difference in people's lives, to be stewards of our earth and to our environment. If this is our family's mission, shouldn't it be the mission of everything in our lives as well ...even this farm?
We believe that nothing is ours, not even our own bodies, our time or our money...not even this farm 🙂! We believe that the earth was lent to us by an awesome Creator and it doesn't belong to us as individuals to do with it as we please. It is not my right to mine our land destructively for resources, litter our land, waste our resources or squander our health. It is not my right to treat animals without care, love and compassion. In fact, did you know that we (Jews) are required, in the Torah (the Bible) to feed our animals before we feed ourselves? This is the level of service and responsibility we are called to and it is a message that we try to drive home to our children on a daily basis: Kindness and sacrificial love, "Ahavah," is the most important thing in life!There is a concept in Judaism called "Tikkun Olam": Repairing the world.
It's a concept that shouldn't just be for us, but for all of humanity - whether you believe in a higher power or not. It's not just about the earth itself, though this is a huge part of it. It's about repairing our communities, our environment and our souls and relationships. To not just have a "feeling" towards these things, but to live them out in action, every single day and with every decision of our lives.
So if you say that you "love" something, then you have just called yourself to action: to DO something for and about it - for to love something is to give yourself to it.
THIS is what our farm is called to. THIS is what our family is called to. THIS is what every member of our amazing farm crew and team are called to. WE are called to bring kindness, sacrifice, service and giving to our world, to our communities, to our earth and to our own bodies and health - it's the meaning and purpose of life: to serve and to love in a real and tangible way. This is the real meaning of the name "Ahavah Farm" and we are very proud of that mission and we hope you are too!
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We need your bags (PLEASE🙏) !!
Thank you everyone for recycling your LARGE bags with us (thank you, but we do not need the small ones, only the large ones)! When we receive your bags we immediately quarantine them for 2 weeks before reusing them to ensure they are safe of any yuckies. Thank you for bringing them and others you may have!
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COMPOST
Be a part of our ZERO-WASTE mission here at Ahavah Farm and bring us your compost!
PLEASE REMEMBER - NO PLASTIC BAGS.
Want more information? CLICK HERE. Thank you to those who have been bringing their compost! We are excited to help you to become Waste Free!
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Our Pledge to You
Ahavah Farm is a Values-Centered-Farm and This is Our Pledge to You!
Farming is so much more than just growing calories. For us, it's about growing absolutely pure. About repairing our earth and caring for our resources. It is about putting love into our food, our employees, our animals and our community. Take a few minutes to read our public pledge here:
✔ We pledge to never compromise on the purity of our food. This includes the use of any chemicals or anything synthetic (even if it is certified “Organic”). ✔ We pledge to use microbiology, composts, green manures (plant residue) and other organic matter to build and sustain healthy soils. ✔ We pledge to use beneficial insects to control pests and to increase the bio-diversity on our farm. ✔ We pledge to never use pesticides or fungicides. ✔ We pledge to never use GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms). ✔ We pledge to use only NOP “Organic” certified seeds, our own saved seeds or locally grown seeds from farms that we trust or seeds that we are 100% assured of their growing practices. ✔ We pledge to always be transparent in all of our growing practices. ✔ We pledge that we will utilize pure, regenerative practices and we agree with the phrase: “Just because it is ‘Certified Organic’ doesn’t mean that it is pure.” ✔ We pledge that we will never use antibiotics or hormones on our animals – unless the animal is sick and the only way to save the animal is through these measures (and then we pledge to never sell their eggs). ✔ We pledge that we will only raise heritage breed animals. ✔ We pledge that if we cannot make the fertilizer or other input (feed and more) ourselves, in a sustainable manner, then we will refuse to use it on our crops or give it to our animals. ✔ We pledge to give our animals adequate shelter, water and food and to feed them before we feed ourselves. ✔ We pledge to reduce emissions and to use as many alternative fuels and sources of energy that are renewable and that our financial capabilities will allow. ✔ We pledge to use water conservation methods and to completely avoid inefficient irrigation practices and systems such as flood irrigation. ✔ We pledge to allow our animals to live freely, according to their nature – this includes unethical castration practices, branding, debeaking, declawing etc. ✔ We pledge to strive to be as sustainable and regenerative as we can possibly be within the financial parameters and budget of the farm. ✔ We pledge that we are lovers of the environment and that we will do everything in our power to protect it. ✔ We pledge to raise our animals in a humane and loving manner that allows them to live as free, happy and loved animals. ✔ We Pledge to never till our soil unless there is an extenuating circumstance. ✔ We pledge to be transparent in all of our business practices and marketing. ✔ We pledge to give back to our community by means of education and to always share all that we know. ✔ We pledge that we, our family, will do everything within our ability, to eat local, and to only support local restaurants and stores when available. ✔ We pledge to give back to our community by being a voice for environmental stewardship and the importance of local, sustainable and pure food. ✔ We pledge to use local sources, when available, and when they meet sustainable and purity standards as set forth in this pledge, for all inputs and feed on our farm. ✔ We pledge to partner with other like-minded farmers and to support our farming community and to never judge them for where they are - as long as they are making active strides to improve toward similar goals. ✔ We pledge to continuously improve and to strive to be a greater steward of the earth, supporter of our local community and to never stop learning and increasing our awareness of growing practices that bring health to our community and our planet. ✔ We pledge to give back to the community a percentage of everything that we grow or raise. ✔ We pledge to allow customers to pay-what-they-can-afford and to never turn away a hungry person when within the financial parameters and reasonable ability of the farm and our family. ✔ We pledge to always pay our employees the best we can and to NEVER give ourselves a raise until we give them one first. ✔ We pledge that just because we are not “there” yet, and are not perfect, that we will not settle for the status-quo.
✔ We pledge to never compromise on these values. Ever.✔
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS By signing up to be a member of the Ahavah Farm CSA program, I am taking on a temporary and limited voting ownership of Ahavah Farm, LLC as an active partner and risk-taker in the farm. I understand that there are no refunds for this program, however, if there is a valid reason for cancelling the seasonal share, management will work with me to find a replacement for my share if needed - without guarantee. For hardship refunds (due to illness, life circumstances etc.) there is a minimum of a 30% refund fee (due to circumstances out of our control). As a member of this Community Supported Agricultural program, I understand that I am requested to be actively involved (but not required). As a member of Ahavah Farm, LLC, I understand the importance of community, the value in local agriculture and creating, supporting and investing in local, sustainable food systems (Ahavah Farm believes that the most important aspect to this program is the ability for individuals to know and trust their farmer and where their food is coming from). As a member I am declaring that I agree that supporting local agriculture is important to me and that I will be an involved member in the community and will do my best to support Ahavah Farm's mission and the community at large ("involved in the community" is vague and can mean anything from volunteering, involvement with and being active in the Facebook community group, spreading the word, coming to classes and events etc.).
BENEFITSAs a member of the Ahavah Farm CSA program I am aware of my discounts and membership benefits included but not limited to farmer's market discounts, payment plans, class discounts as follows:
MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT DISCOUNTS: Auto-renewal discount of 5%, Cash/Check discount of 3%, SNAP/EBT discount of 50%, Active Duty Military discount of 3%, BOGO discount of 15% off second share, Farm Pickup discount of 10%.
AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT DISCOUNTS: 10% discount on all resale items, 10% discount at Ahavah Farm Nurserry and Garden Center, 15% discount on microgreen CSA membership, 15% discount at Ahavah Farm Market Stand at Ahavah Community Market, 25% discount on all A&B level classes, free c-level classes, free tours, unlimited credit carryover.
NON-AUTO RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT DISCOUNTS: 5% discount on all resale items, 5% discount at Ahavah Farm Nurserry and Garden Center, 5% discount on microgreen CSA membership, 10% discount at Ahavah Farm Market Stand at Ahavah Community Market, 10% discount on all A&B level classes, free c-level classes, free tours, no credit carryover.
ASSUMED RISK
I understand that a CSA program is a partnership program, and an investment in my health. As such, there are risks to supporting a local CSA program in that the yield may be smaller than anticipated (Ahavah Farm has never had a loss). I am also aware that if there is a bumper crop, my shares may be bigger (we have been able to succeed in this goal every season for 9 years). I understand that Ahavah Farm aims to provide an approximate value of 10% more food than the cost of my share. I also understand that by being a member of Ahavah Farm CSA, I am supporting the ultimate in ecological and environmental agriculture along with the funding and partnership with Ahavah Community Initiative to feed families in need and to spread the education of environmental agricultural stewardship to the community.
TIMES and RIGHTS to ADJUSTI understand that the CSA seasons are broken up into 4 seasons throughout the year and it is my responsibility to be aware of pickup dates, locations and program details as they have all been made available to me ahead of season start. I agree that Ahavah Farm has the right to adjust the delivery dates and schedules throughout the season with the full expectation that there be considerable notification ahead of time to allow for members to adjust their schedules as well (an example of this would be an emergency on the farm, weather interruptions, holidays or anything that could hinder the harvest and delivery of the crop).
AUTO-RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP
Auto-renewal memberships save an automatic 5% every season, are automatically billed and registered until cancelled. Additional discounts for the auto-renewal program include: 10% discount on all resale items, 10% discount at Ahavah Farm Nurserry and Garden Center, 15% discount on microgreen CSA membership, 15% discount at Ahavah Farm Market Stand at Ahavah Community Market, 25% discount on all A&B level classes, free c-level classes, free tours, unlimited credit carryover.Cancellation for auto-renewal memberships must occur no later than than the regularly scheduled billing dates. The dates for automatic billing will occur four times per year on the following dates: February 15th, April 15th, August 15th and December 15th.
COMMUNICATIONI understand that all OFFICIAL communication and notices must come through e-mailas listed in the "Season Details" and that I will not use Facebook messenger, texting or voicemails as official communication (these are fine to use if not urgent, but they are not trackable and therefore we request that they not be used and will not be accepted as OFFICIAL communication because they are not often checked or monitored – especially our private social media messengers). I understand that as a member, I am requested (not obligated) to join the Facebook Community Group: “Ahavah Farm Community Group,” as this is an excellent tool for communication as well as for a fuller experience as a CSA member. I understand that all notifications, changes, updates, rules, exclusions, times, instructions and everything related to the program will be thoroughly communicated to me through the use of: E-mail, Ahavah Farm Community Group on Facebook and in person (pre-season meetings). I am responsible for receiving, tracking and monitoring these communications.
PAYMENTI also agree that my CSA subscription must be paid in full prior to the first delivery, is non-refundable and if the full amount is not paid prior to the first delivery my account may be canceled and all money paid will not be refunded to me and I will not receive any membership benefits. Unpaid membership cancellations must be made in writing no later than the following dates prior to the upcoming season: February 15th, April 15th, August 15th and December 15th. Payment plans are available and encouraged to help any and all members to afford their CSA membership. Payment plans can be customizable to your needs with some stipulations. Payment plans, discounts and other benefits can be made available to you upon request.
By Paying for my share I attest that I have read and understand the terms of the program and am excited to be a part of a community centered around the common purpose of community, sustainability and purity!
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It's going to be a great year and we hope your season is as blessed as can be!
We are so excited to have you as a member of our community and we are very excited for the upcoming season. We are a little behind, but we are optimistic that this year is going to be abundant as it already has been!
Our family, and our farm staff are committed to serving our local area the freshest, most nutrient-dense and environmentally responsible food possible. We want to be sure to offer our community as many opportunities that we can within our means and we ask that all of you come along side of us and make this community better, because without U doing what you can at the center, it's not C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y! We implore our members to come along side us in this agriculture revolution to restore our lands and re-build our communities to their earth and their land. Help grow it, help volunteer, offer classes, joining our events, help feed your community by donating to ACI, and most of all, get to know us and don't be shy! We hope this CSA experience is a blessing for you and we hope you will take advantage of all we have to offer in the form of classes, articles, events, markets, donations and more!
We love you so much! Let's have an awesome season!💖
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