Waterland Community Supported Agriculture

Why Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

First and foremost I am a real organic farmer. I operate as a CSA as this best fits the flow of seasonal work on the farm and allows me to concentrate on growing the widest range of crops for you.

Simply put, folks wanting to buy vegetables grown on the farm sign up as CSA members for a full or part season and receive their shares of my veg harvest throughout 42 weeks of the year. The season is split into two chunks as this fits in with my real farming calendar. The main season is May-December, then when I know how much I will have for January-February, I will put up the share offers for then. March and April is the time of my hungry gap, where the previous season’s crops are ending and the new season’s not yet begun and I take the time to do the busy cultivation, sowing, planting needed to set up the future veg share harvests. Everything I grow is sown as a seed on the farm and raised with real care until harvest.

Yes CSA is a radical way of supporting a small farmer doing absolutely everything they can to produce a variety of highly nutritious organically grown vegetables. I know I’m asking for your trust that I will grow a plentiful and diverse range of veg to keep your plates interesting and keep you nourished through the season. Thanks to the trust of CSA members over the last 3 years I have provided up to 100 shares a year of fresh organic vegetables, while maintaining and regenerating 10 acres of land under Soil Association organic status on the outskirts of Cambridge.

Knowing in advance that I’m growing for a set number of shares helps with my crop planning and reduces food waste from day one in the field. It also means when I need to buy seeds, compost or put diesel in the tractor I am able to do it. I really value this close connection with CSA members and the feeling of community. As well as the community supporting me as a farmer, check out the Community Pot as a way of supporting each other.

CSA benefits you as buying up front gives you more value for money, food security, our best organic veg is selected when ready, and any gluts are shared out. There’s transparency as you know all your veg is grown on the farm and you can ask me about anything.

Shares are packed into home recyclable/compostable paper bags. Any leafy veg is packed into biodegradable clear bags. Tomatoes and herbs are packed into compostable cardboard boxes and pots. The only single use plastic on the farm I can think of is the bags the peat free seed compost comes in. I reuse rigid plastic module trays, use soil blocks to reduce the use of plastic trays and have bamboo lollipop sticks as plant labels. I have put real thought and effort into the impact of my business on the environment. More on the farm here.

Veg share deliveries are by Zedify on their cargo bikes in central Cambridge including Market, Romsey, Newnham, Chesterton, Cherry Hinton, Eddington and Trumpington. Secure farm pickup from Willow Farm, Lode is available if you If you are out of the delivery area.

If you are going to be away I can donate your veg to the local Food Bank, deliver to a neighbour, or do a double delivery when you get back. Just get in touch to let me know through the season.