The Delaware Nature Society recognizes the importance of raising regional awareness of healthy food, farms and good nutrition. In support of this, the Delaware Nature Society's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at our 352-acre Coverdale Farm supplies fresh produce throughout the growing season to its members or shareholders. The CSA is an agricultural program that grows and provides a local source of "natural" (synthetic chemical-free) fresh produce on a regular basis. Although our CSA land is not certified organic, we do follow organic production practices and have not used any synthetic fertilizer, herbicide or insecticide for more than eight years.
Shareholders support the CSA by purchasing shares at the beginning of the season to provide working capital for the farm's supplies needed early in the season such as seeds, plants, organic fertilizer and labor. Later, as the plants grow and produce edible food, shareholders receive a weekly portion of a healthy harvest. As part of a joint undertaking, members also share the risk of a potential crop failure, due to factors beyond human control. All fees are used to support the operations of the CSA.
Why join our CSA?
* Receive a regular supply of fresh, pesticide-free vegetables
* Have access to cooking, food preparation and nutrition programs
* Eat foods that promote good health
* Support locally-grown crops in an environmentally responsible manner
* Support farmland preservation
* Reconnect to the land
* Experience a weekly adventure in eating!
Season: 22 weeks from June through November
Full Share: Weekly distribution, $650*
This portion will meet the produce needs of a vegetable-loving family of 4.
Half Share: Weekly or Bi-Weekly distribution, $400*
This portion will meet the produce needs of a vegetable-loving family of 2 or a larger family that consumes only a moderate amount of vegetables.
Examples of Produce Grown:
Sample Early Season: Spring Greens, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, Peas
Sample High Season: Cucumbers, Cauliflower, Carrots, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Potatoes, Beans, Melons, Eggplant, Herbs
Sample Late Season: Beets, Carrots, Spinach, Potatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Winter Squash, Pumpkins
*CSA Shareholders must be members of the Delaware Nature Society.
2010 CSA shares - Sold Out!
To our surprise and excitement, our 2010 CSA shares have sold out very quickly! If you are still interested, and would like to be added to the waitlist, please call (302)239-2334 or
email. Wait list participants will have the first right of refusal for the additional shares available for the 2011 season. Please note that this by no means guarantees that we will have enough additional shares to accommodate the entire wait list. We anticipate announcing details regarding our 2011 season this Fall.
Remember: CSA shares are available to DNS members only, so make sure your membership is current!
Click here to
purchase your share online! (Beginning on January 25 at 8:30 am. Must have user ID/password to log-in as DNS member.) You may also purchase by mail or in person at Ashland Nature Center beginning Jan. 25 at 8:30 am. Shares are limited and will be sold in the order in which they are received.
Click here to
download a purchase form (for mail-in purposes.)
Following your purchase, you will be asked to sign a contract. Click here to
view/download a copy.
