Community Supported Agriculture Program
The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program began in 2010 and is a distinctive farming endeavor that provides local families an opportunity to purchase healthy, farm-fresh, produce and eggs, and in doing so, provides opportunities for individuals with autism to be gainfully employed in a job with a purpose.
The CSA program operates with the assistance of one full time farmer, one ½ time farm assistant, one full time and 2 part time CSA Job Coach Trainers, and currently employs 8 individuals served by GHA Autism Supports.
The CSA trainers are directly involved with and responsible for ensuring that CSA employees are actively engaged in work activities throughout their scheduled weekly hours. These duties are directed by the CSA Farmer and depending on the time of the year, could include work in the greenhouses with the soil block/seed planting process, work in the fields involving direct sow seed planting, seedling transplanting, irrigation set-up, weeding, fortifying, trellising, staking and harvesting vegetables. Other essential activities include packaging, and preparing CSA produce for delivery to the shareholders, as well as care and feeding of the CSA laying hen flocks and gathering, washing, packaging and storing CSA farm fresh eggs.
For 2016, a limited number of shares are available from the Carolina Farms Community Supported Agriculture program for an investment of either $400.00 for our 12-week summer session or only $500 for our 18-week summer/fall session. All payments are due no later than Friday, May 6th. Feel free to drop your payment by our office at 213 North Second Street in downtown Albemarle between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm on Monday through Friday or mail your payment to P.O. Box 2487, Albemarle, NC 28002. Cash, checks and all major credit cards are accepted.
Each week your investment could provide to you a dozen free roaming eggs and a variety of veggies free of pesticides. Pick-up times will be at Second Street Sundries on North Second Street in downtown Albemarle from Noon to 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday of each week within each session. Feel free to contact Beth Olivieri at (704) 982-9600, ext. 125 or by email at betholivieri@ghainc.org if you have additional questions.
12-Week Summer Session (May – July) for $400
18-Week Summer/Fall Session (Mid October – Late November) for $500
Plans are underway to provide the following:
cucumbers, popcorn, cabbage, lettuce, squash, zucchini, red and heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, kale, turnips, cantaloupe, watermelon, beets, garlic, broccoli, green onions, peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cage-free fresh eggs and fresh flowers
Director of Agricultural Programs Rachel Donner oversees the Community Supported Agricultural at Carolina Farms. She is responsible for the planting, cultivating and harvesting of all of the gardens at the Farm. In addition, the CSA program currently employs 7 individuals with autism that GHA supports.
*Through your investment in this project, you share in the risks of farming which may include, but are not limited to, poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.
