I know I want to join. Where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form

What we try to have for you to pick up late in the year.

GI Acres has been offering CSA (Consumer Support Agriculture) shares to people in the Grand Island, Nebraska area since 2015. We are beginning our sixth year and hoping to continue for many more.

What is a CSA Share?

Local Harvest (www.localharvest.com) is a great source of information about local food. Here is how they define a CSA. GI Acres is a market style CSA. We don’t pack the box for you but allow you a choice of what we have available.

I know I want to join. Where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form

Is a CSA Share right for me?

The Pros and Cons of Joining a CSA (www.seriouseats.com) This article is a little dated given the prices in the New York metro area but they were also describing a CSA that provided 4 or 5 items for that price. Our is priced similarly but we aim to provide many more items and variety.

How do I get my food?

This year, our Full Season pick up will be on Monday evenings 6-8 PM. You will pick up your share at our farm location. In previous years, this was Wednesday or Thursday. We schedule the pickup the same day as Kathy’s regular day off from her regular job so that everything is picked fresh and ready to go for you. You can do self service pick up by getting your share out of our cooler shed the following day if you want. (We will prepare your share and pick items for you and put your name on the tray.)

Shares waiting for pickup the following day

Short Season pick up will usually be on Thursdays from 7-8. Again if you can’t pick up at that time we can leave your share in the cooler shed.

We may also be able to offer delivery in limited circumstances or pickup from an alternate location. That will be need to be arranged with signup. If you require alternate arrangements, please contact us first before signing up.

I know I want to join. Where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form

What options do you offer?

We offer both a Full Season (every Monday — June through September — planned for 18 weeks in 2021) for $425 and a Short Season (6 Shares offered on Thursdays between mid-July and mid-September) for $180. Short season shares are based on heavy production weeks and will not be every week. An email will be sent to members letting them know that a share will be ready for them. Look through the pictures below of our weekly shares from 2020, both Full and Short Season, to see what is available and how the season progresses from cool spring crops like lettuce, herbs and garlic scapes to longer season crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra and finally winter squash. If there is a vegetable that you really enjoy, but don’t see in the photos, please ask as we may be able to add it this year. Each of the photos is of one member’s share for one week.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”112″ gal_title=”2020 Full and Short Season Shares”]

We do raise chickens and sometimes will include eggs in your share and they are almost always available as an add on for $3 per dozen.

I know I want to join where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form

When is payment due?

Payment for your share is due on March 1, 2021. If we have not received your payment we may offer your share to someone on our waiting list. If you are having trouble meeting the March 1 deadline let us know and we will work with you.

What is my risk?

The CSA Model is shared risk/shared reward. We will do our best to make sure you get a good value for your hard earned money but we cannot control the weather. Living in Nebraska there is always the possibility of hail and wind that can damage the plants. Last year we had a fight with bunny rabbits and Japanese beetles. We did okay against the beetles with beetle traps but the bunnies devastated the Swiss Chard and beets. Two years ago the early August windstorm and hail took out most of the pepper crop. We plant in more than one garden on our property, rotate crops to minimize pests and the need for pest control, have water available to all of the garden areas, and minimize the risk as much as we can. You can review the Member Agreement here.

Why do I have to prepay for the season?

We use your funds to pay for seeds, plants, supplies, and equipment needed for a successful season. Because you have prepaid we have the money in hand to pay cash for all of the things necessary for a successful season. Last year we bought almost 1000 plants from Barb Quandt at Barb’s Greenhouse north of the Central Nebraska Regional Airport. She does a great job starting our plants from our seeds, and it is less expensive than maintaining our own greenhouse while supporting another local producer. If you have a vegetable that you would like us to add this year, please let us know early!

I know I want to join where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form

I want to preserve some produce. Will I get enough to can?

That really depends on you and your family’s eating habits. A single person or couple might have enough to preserve or share with family and friends. A large family that cooks and eat most meals at home probably won’t have any extra. One friend asked about signing up because she wanted to pressure can green beans: we explained that most likely she would not get enough for that. We have had members preserve some of their share as small batches of pickles or salsa. Some of the crops dehydrate or freeze well, too, if you are unable to use it all within the week. Our goal is to provide you with fresh food that you can eat and enjoy while it is in season.

I know I want to join where do I sign up? Take Me To the Google Form