What does CSA stand for?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a locally-based farming and distribution model for members to join up with a farm and receive shares of the bounty throughout the season.
Why join the Sawmill CSA?
At Sawmill we grow a large variety of both familiar and less familiar organic medicinal and culinary herbs. We offer ongoing opportunities for community involvement and education on community herbalism and whole health including workshops, plant walks and an herbal newsletter. Through these offerings we welcome members of the community to become as engaged as they like with their herbs and share. Our CSA is perfect for those with a range of experience and interests, including:
- those wanting to build up their home herbal apothecary or culinary pantry
- experimental home cooks and chefs
- herbalists and herbalism students who want access to fresh ingredients for drying and medicine making endeavors
- beginners new to herbs who want to learn by doing while having the support of an informative newsletter and access to on-farm education
How big is a bunch?
Bunch sizes vary depending on the herb, quantity available and part of the season. To help you plan we will indicate approximate size of each on the herb selection page. Generally after the first distribution members get the general idea of what constitutes the different size bunches. As an example, some herbs are more bountiful and grow with abundance and we offer large bunches of plants like tulsi, lemon balm, spearmint and wormwood. Whereas some that don’t grow as bountiful for us and are often smaller bunches include lavender, angelica root, feverfew, bacopa and gotu kola.
I don’t know what to do with the herbs and I’m afraid they will go to waste!
We suggest starting with a half share if you’re new to using herbs and want to dip your toes in. We provide an e-newsletter with lots of recipes and advice on what to do with your herbs – everything from food, beverages, teas, tinctures, salves and more. If at any point you get overwhelmed, you can hang up your bunches of herbs to dry and use them later (just don’t forget to label them!).
What herbs are offered to the CSA?
We grow and wild-harvest a large variety of medicinal and culinary herbs for the CSA. Shares consist of flowers, leaves, stems and roots! Nearly all of the herbs listed on our “Herbs We Grow” page are available to the CSA during the season. If you have questions about specific availability, email us.
What does a sample share look like?
Example of a share in:
- early-May (add-on Spring share!): stinging nettle, dandelion leaf/flower, yellow dock root, mullein leaf, plantain
- early-June: motherwort, yarrow, red clover, comfrey leaf and catnip
- late-June: calendula flowers, elder flowers, prickly lettuce, st johns wort and spilanthes
- late-August: blue vervain, goldenrod, boneset, anise hyssop and tulsi
- early-September: red shiso, horsetail, lemongrass, mugwort and wormwood
- mid-October: ashwagandha root, marshmallow root, dandelion root, yellow dock root and burdock root
What is the difference between a full share and a half share?
A full share has pickups every two weeks during the season while the half share is every four weeks. You still get to pick 5 herbs each time regardless of the share size.
How do I choose my herbs? And can I add on extra herbs throughout the season?
We use an online checkout system to choose share bunches as well as to purchase add-ons. For more help ordering check out this page. Before every share we send out an e-newsletter highlighting the coming week’s herbs. Once you receive the newsletter you can go online and choose your five herbs. If you would like to add on extra herbs you can do so by choosing the “Add-on” option for each herb after you’ve already chosen your first five herbs. You can pay with credit card or send us a check. Some herbs that we have limited quantities of are only available as “CSA Share” items, and are not available for purchase as “Add-ons,”
I will be away during one of the pick-up days, can I pick my share up another day?
Yes, please give us notice by the Sunday prior to normal pick up day by filling out the vacation hold form. For the next pickup please choose 10 herbs instead of the usual 5 to make it up.
What happens if I miss a share without giving notice?
If you haven’t placed an order then please just order 10 herbs at the next share to make it up. If you did place an order we will harvest and deliver those herbs. Shares that aren’t picked up are donated by the host shop staff. For members in Florence and Montague, we can often leave leftover shares at the farm for you to pick-up the following day.
How do I pick up my share?
We have pickup locations in Montague, MA, Florence, MA, Cambridge, MA and Brooklyn, NY. Check out each regions page fore information on each site: Pioneer Valley || Brooklyn || Boston. All of our sites are located at our farm or at different host shops that generously offer their space for our members. It’s important to pick up your share within the time slot indicated on our site.
Do I have to join the CSA to get fresh herbs from Sawmill?
If you know that the CSA model isn’t right for you but you still want herbs you can choose to buy bulk herbs during the season instead. Please visit this page to learn more.