CSA Explained
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members participate in their own food supply by committing to share in the harvest of a local grower. By joining a CSA, you express your support for locally grown, ecoganic food, and to the farmers who grow it. A CSA creates a unique relationship between the consumers and the producers—nowadays, not many people actually know the farmer who picked the tomatoes they are eating!
Members purchase shares in the winter, approximately four months before the start of the season. Each week from June through mid-November we harvest and distribute the vegetable shares. The variety of produce and bounty depend on the season. At the beginning of the year, quantities tend to be smaller, with a focus on salad and greens. Toward the middle of the season, the variety and quantity is at its greatest. By the end of October, the range of vegetables has decreased dramatically. For many members, it is a completely new experience to follow the growing season so closely. We write regular newsletters with food preparation tips, recipes, crop news, and other items of interest.
For more information about our prices, share sizes, and pick-up locations visit our registration page.
Who Should NOT join the CSA?
We've learned that people who fall into the following categories are not a good match for the CSA program:
- Anyone who is away on vacation many weeks (it's your responsibility to have someone pickup your share if you are gone).
- Anyone who thinks this is a good way to save lots of money. It isn't. We offer good value at a fair price.
- People who don't really like to cook or who don't eat at home often.
- People who don't like vegetables or who don't like trying new foods.
What's the Difference Between PVF-East and PVF-West?
The two are not exactly the same, even though we are the same family business.
PVF-East is based at our farm in Vienna, near Tysons Corner. PVF-East shares are comprised of food grown on our Vienna and Purcellville farms, combined with that of three other local farms: Next Step Produce in Southern Maryland, Tree and Leaf Farm in Orange County, VA and Lost Corner Farm in Lucketts, VA. We are all deeply committed to creating sustainable farms and all use strictly organic farming techniques towards that end. It is this multi-farm collaboration which allows us to start our delivery season in June and include vegetables and fruits that we do not grow ourselves.
PVF-West is based at our farm near Purcellville and most of the vegetables that go into the shares are grown right on that land. We grow everything from arugula to zucchini (but no sweet corn or tree fruit or berries). The delivery season for PVF-West starts in July; members who wish to get vegetables in June must go to the farm to pick them up.
What Do You Grow?
This is a list of all the things we try to grow. You will most likely see each of these items at least once, and other items many times!
| Crop | Harvest window |
|---|---|
| Basil: Genovese | July 1-Oct 15 |
| Beans: green | July 1-Oct 15 |
| Beets | June-Nov |
| Broccoli | Oct-Nov |
| Cabbage | Oct-Nov |
| Cauliflower | Oct-Nov |
| Celery | Sept-Nov |
| Celery Root | Oct-Nov |
| Chinese Cabbage | Sept-Nov |
| Chinese Greens | Sept-Nov |
| Cucumbers | June-Sept |
| Collard | Oct-Nov |
| Eggplant | July-Nov |
| Fennel | July-Nov |
| Garlic | July-Nov |
| Greens-salad | Sept-Nov |
| Kale | Sept-Nov |
| Kohlrabi | June-Nov |
| Lettuce - head | May-June |
| Lettuce - Mix | May-Jun, Oct-Nov |
| Mustard Greens | Sept-Nov |
| Onions | July-Sept |
| Peas, sugarsnap | June |
| Peppers-sweet | July-Nov |
| Potatoes-Irish | July-Nov |
| Potatoes-Sweet | Oct-Nov |
| Pumpkin | Oct-Nov |
| Radish | June-Nov |
| Squash-Summer | June-Oct |
| Squash-Winter | Sept-Nov |
| Swiss Chard | June-Nov |
| Tomato-slicers | July-Oct |
| Tomato-cherry | July-Oct |
| Turnip | Sept-Nov |
| Cut Flowers | July-Oct |
| Herbs: Annual | June-Nov |
| Herbs: Perennial | June-Nov |
Sample Lists of Vegetables (Regular Share)
July
- 2-3 lbs yellow squash
- 1-2 sweet onions
- 1 fresh bulb garlic
- 1 bunch basil
- 2-3 cucumbers
- 1 bunch swiss chard
- 1-2 lbs new potatoes
September
- 3 lbs tomatoes
- 2 bell peppers
- 1-2 lbs green beans
- 1 bunch basil
- 1 bulb garlic
- 1 head celery
- 2 Asian eggplant
October
- 1 bunch kale/collard
- 1 bunch bok choi
- 1 celeriac
- 1 bag salad mix
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 2 lb potatoes
- 1 bunch turnips