I am In addition to our farm's cherry and strawberry crops, in 2015 we added vegetables and cut flowers, and now grow them on over five acres. Our produce and flowers are sold at area farmers markets, through our Homestead Hill CSA, as well as to a variety of local restaurants, grocery stores, and schools. Many of our products can be purchased wholesale by grocery stores and restaurants through MI Farm Cooperative.
Our Mission is to Provide:
Sustainably grown, fresh, quality produce. Our vegetables are grown using organic practices. We do not use synthetic chemicals or fertilizers and practice minimal soil tillage.
Inspiration. Want to cook like a rock star? Well, we can’t make any promises, but we do know the best chefs are known for sourcing the freshest produce available from their local community.
Early availability. Season extension, including two hoop houses, will help us provide some crops earlier than you could otherwise grow in your own garden! For example, we generally have tomatoes and cucumbers weeks ahead of those grown outdoors.
Variety. The choice of crops we grow is designed to both appeal to your taste buds, but also outwit challenges provided by Mother Nature. We grow both heirlooms and our “tried and true” favorites!
Choice. We respect that not everyone loves everything. Our weekly email newsletter will keep you informed of what’s coming in your box and give you an opportunity to either swap out 1-2 items for something you’d prefer - or make changes using a “swap box” during on farm pick up.
Community. Meet other CSA members, farm staff, and tour the farm during one of our yet to be announced events (Spring Kick-off Open House/farm tour, food demos, etc.). Events are announced in the email newsletter.
Find us at the following area Farmers Markets in 2024:
Glen Arbor (9 AM - 1 PM, Tuesdays, early June - early September)
Northport (9 AM - 1 PM, Fridays, early June - early September)
Traverse City Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market (7:30 AM - 12 Noon, Saturdays, May - October; and Wednesdays, June through August).
Consider becoming a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Member! Signing up for a CSA membership with our farm is a great way to commit your household to eating more fruits and vegetables. Choose a plan that fits you best, just $25-50 per week brings you FRESH, LOCAL GOODNESS that we hope will leave you looking forward to the next box! Our weekly newsletter lets you know what to expect in your box and provides an opportunity to swap out 1-3 items each week (depending on share size). Sign up for the 2024 season opens in late January, and accepting new members until filled for the season. If you have any questions, please contact us! We are more than happy to answer questions!
HOW TO SIGN UP? Click HERE to download a form to print and mail. Click HERE to go to our online store where you can use a credit card!
CSA Options for 2024:
I. Summer Vegetable Shares (starting early June) This is the heart of what we do! Real food for you and your family. You’ll receive all the traditional garden staples, but with a sense of style and adventure beyond what you would find in the typical grocery cart! We plant over a hundred varieties, ranging from delectable heirlooms to our “tried and true” favorites. Expect to find tomatoes and cucumbers weeks ahead of in your backyard! We carefully pick, wash, and pack your weekly share of 6-10 items, based on what is in season and ready for harvest. Grown using organic methods. The share season starts the second week of June and runs for either 12 or 18 weeks depending on your preference. Choose the option that fits you best!Deciding between Regular and Small? If the size turns out to not be a good fit after the first week or two, we are happy to adjust your share size and cost accordingly.
Small Share. 50-60% of size of the Regular Share, contains smaller quantities of items and/or fewer items. (Avg. $25 per week. Good fit for households of 1-2 light veggie eaters.) Provides an opportunity to swap out 1 item each week.
Regular Share. Our most popular option! (Avg. $35 per week. Good fit for most households of 2-4.) provides an opportunity to swap out up to 2 items each week.
Large Share. The same as a Regular Share, but larger! (avg. $50 per week. Good fit for households of 2-4 that are serious vegetable eaters and/or do a lot of entertaining.)Contains larger quantities of items and/or more items. Provides an opportunity to swap out up to 3 items each week.
II. ADD-ON OPTIONS Available to those signing up for any vegetable summer share.
A) Fruit Shares from Bardenhagen Berries Runs six weeks from mid-June to late July. Receive either strawberries or cherries grown on the farm (depending on what is ripe). Conventionally grown, not organic. Choose either Regular (1 quart/week) OR Large (2 quarts/week)
B) Flower Share Treat yourself or someone you love with fresh-cut seasonal flowers, grown by us on our farm! Choose either the 18 Week Bouquet Share (weekly or every other week); OR the 12 Bouquet Share (weekly or every other week).
C) Spring Treat Share Tantalize your taste buds with the extra early green goodness from our hoophouse and field. Enjoy leafy greens (lettuce, chard, kale, spinach), succulent radishes, micro-greens, and herbs. Receive 3-4 items per week. Runs for 8 weeks from mid-April to early June. Limited availability. If signing up after March 1st, check our website or contact us first to confirm availability. One size available. Order two shares for double the goodness! Thursday pickups only.
D) Winter Share The days may be cooler and the days shorter, but we will keep the harvest going for you! This 8 Week Share runs tentatively from October 24th thru December 14th and features a variety of crops ranging from hoophouse salad greens & herbs to storage crops like potatoes, celeriac, onions, carrots, and winter squash. Choose Small, Regular, or Large. Thursday pickups only (except for the week of Thanksgiving, pick up will take place the Tuesday beforehand).
Answers to Common Questions: 1. What's the best way for me to get my share? When signing up, let us know your preference for picking up your share. We offer the following options:
Tuesdays, 3 pm-6:00 pm. Farm Pick Up. 7990 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau (NEW in 2024! Available 6/8-10/8)
Tuesdays, 9 am-1 pm. Pick-up at Glen Arbor Farmers Market (Available market season only, 6/11- 9/10)
Wednesdays, 8 am-noon, Sara Hardy Downtown Traverse City Farmers Market (NEW in 2024! Available 6/12-8/28)
Thursdays, 4 pm-6:30 pm. Farm Pick Up. 7990 E. Horn Road, Lake Leelanau (Always available, our biggest day!)
Fridays, 9 am-1 pm. Pick up at Northport Farmers market (Available market season only, 6/14- 9/6)
Saturdays, 7:30 am-noon, Sara Hardy Downtown Traverse City Farmers Market (Available 5/4 thru 10/26)
Note: If signing up for an pick up at a farmers market, it may be necessary to pick up some early and/or late season shares from the farm on Thursdays. (Example, if you sign up for an 18 week share you can pick up at the Northport market from until early September, but would then need to pick up from the farm on later dates.)
2. What size share should I sign up for? The Regular Size is our most popular, and is designed for a household of 2-4 people. A bag of salad greens is generally 8 ounces, and a bunch of kale or chard would be around 3/4 lb. In comparison, a Small share works for 1-2 people who don't generally eat at home every night. A bag of salad greens would be closer to 5 oz and a bunch of kale or chard would be around 1/2 lb. For the Large share, a bag of salad greens would be 12-16 oz, and a bunch of kale would be 1 lb. If you are new, and can't decide, we suggest signing up for the Regular share, and you are welcome to adjust the size of your share (to change to small or large) within the first two weeks (we will arrange for refund or additional payment as needed).
3. What if I can't pick up my share because I am out of town? We know life happens. We offer three options: 1) Arrange to have a friend pick up your share instead of you; 2) Let us know and we can donate your share to a family; or 3) Get a Voucher (New in 2024) - If you know you will be out of town, or not be able to pick up your share once per season contact us at least 24 hours in advance to let us know, and we will issue you a voucher with the same value as your share that can be used for a single purchase of similar product (vegetables, fruit, or flowers) at the farmers market or the farm. For example, if you have a Regular Summer CSA Share, Flower Share and Fruit share that you missed, you would receive $35 credit for vegetables, $6.50 credit for fruit, and $18 credit for flowers. Limit of 1 voucher per share per season, and vouchers are only valid in 2024.
4. Is a CSA right for everyone? Honestly, no. CSA is a great choice for households that enjoy eating seasonally, appreciate unparalleled fresh, and sustainably grown produce, while at the same time developing a deeper relationship with "where your food comes from." A CSA model is not necessarily a good fit for individuals who do not have a schedule that allows for picking up and using a share each week. We are happy to share that MOST people that sign up for a CSA share do enjoy it!