How much produce can I expect?
The amount and type of produce you receive changes with the seasons. In the spring you can expect more leafy greens and spring roots. As summer arrives and temperatures go up, the share gets more robust, consisting of familiar vegetable staples like tomatoes and melons. This leads into a fall of hardy greens and cold loving root crops. Each share consists of some quantity of each vegetable that is in season that week. For example: one bunch beets, 1 bunch carrots, 1 head lettuce, 2 pounds potatoes, 3 pounds tomatoes, etc.

Amounts depend on the variances of Mother Nature, but often correspond to the size unit you would see at the grocery store. While everyone’s vegetable needs are different, a full share tends to be adequate for a small family or a vegetable enthusiastic couple. Consider splitting a share for your first season if you are concerned about quantities.

> For more detail on harvest expectations, click here.
> For photographs of a typical share, click here (external link).

What if I am unfamiliar with a crop? (Or What the heck is a kohlrabi?)
Part of the CSA experience, and many would say it’s one of the bonuses, is trying new vegetables- some of which may go on to become your favorites. We put together a biweekly newsletter that explains unfamiliar vegetables and contain a variety of recipes. We also offer for sale a great resource, the cookbook “From Asparagus to Zucchini” which is geared toward CSA’s and gives information, storage tips, and recipes for most veggies we grow. The distribution center camaraderie of your fellow farm members is also a great opportunity to swap cooking tips and recipes. The internet is another great resource.

What if I go on vacation?
One option is to “Share your Share” with a friend. You can have someone else pick up your share while you are gone. However, it is important that you plan ahead and bring that person with you at least once for a pickup at the farm. This way you can show them the ropes- where to sign in, how to weigh things out, where the u-pick crops are, etc. In addition, consider forwarding them the most recent newsletter for up to date information and recipes. Another option is to change your pick up day from a Tues. to a Fri. or vice versa. Just let us know by email or phone by 7pm Sunday the week before you wish to switch. Unfortunately, because we harvest a precise number of shares each harvest day, we can not accommodate last minute switches.

What happens to my share if I forget to pick up?
If you have not made prior arrangements for someone to pick up for you, or to switch pick up days, your share is donated to the Quakertown Food Pantry. Food For Friends, hosted by Richland Friends Meeting provides free dinners on Wednesday for those in need. The Quakertown Food Pantry, located at 515 S. West End Blvd., Quakertown, Pa, provides groceries five days a week. For information, call the pantry at 215-536-0240 or FFF at 215-536-8428.

What if it’s raining on my pick up day or I don’t have time to do the pick-your-own crops?
You may come back on a different day during that week to do your u-pick crops, ideally within a few days.

What is the Sharing Table?
The Sharing Table is a place in the distribution center to put things from the share that you may not want that week. Then another member can enjoy it. For example, you hate beets- so you put your bunch on the table. Someone else didn’t want their eggplant, but you love it, so you take theirs. If everyone remembers to utilize the sharing table it can be a great way to be sure everyone gets what they want. This is also where we will put crops that are optional for the share, like hot peppers. Sometimes we have a crop that we may not have enough of to include in the share, or that we are trialing, like okra. The sharing table works on the honor system. When deciding how much to take it may help to consider the sign in sheet, and how many more people have yet to pick up their share.

What is the work requirement all about?
We require 4 hours of work over the course of the season from each farm share (2 hours per split share). We believe this is important so that you get a chance to see “behind the scenes”- what goes into growing organic vegetables on a working farm. We appreciate the help the most in spring and summer. As our season gets rolling we will try to offer weekly work opportunities. We have a new online calendar where you can view and register for scheduled work opportunities. Because of the unpredictability of nature, there may be times when scheduled opportunities will be canceled. You may look outside and see a cloudy sky and wonder why, but if for example it was pouring rain recently and the ground is soaked and muddy, sometimes it’s best to stay out of the fields. We ask for your understanding and flexibility regarding cancelled work opportunities. Keep an eye on the online calendar, as last minute changes will be reflected there. Occasionally we will send out “emergency emails” with pleas for help from the farm.

Work activities will include, but are not limited to: weeding, thinning, and mulching. There will also be opportunities over the course of the season for people who are unable to do hard physical work, for example, trimming onion, shallot and garlic tops. We would also welcome assistance with our annual fall harvest festival. You can click here to see a list of some of the other opportunities to contribute to growing our community.

Many people ask about bringing kids to work opportunities. For very young children, this is usually not feasible. Farm work is hard work, especially when it’s hot out. One parent is welcome to come and watch the kids on the farm while another works- or you might consider organizing with other families. The pick-your-own crops on pick-up days are a great way to introduce young children to the farm, rather than through a work day. We are also looking for someone to help organize activities around the children’s garden. For children that are 8 years old and up please use your own discretion, and definitely come prepared with snacks, water and sun hats.

The work requirement hours are a great time to meet other farm members, and the best time to pick the brains of your farmers. It is also an awesome way to be a part of the whole process, from field to plate. You might even find you love it (we do!), and want to put in more than the 4 hour requirement (that’s fine with us!).

What does certified organic mean?
In order for a farm to be certified organic it must follow the practices approved by the National Organic Standards Board. Each year the farm must gain approval from a USDA recognized certifying agent. Blooming Glen Farm is currently transitioning to certified organic and will be eligible in spring 2008 after following organic practices for a 3 year period.