MemberAgreement

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE

MEMBER AGREEMENT

By purchasing a “farm share”, otherwise known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), you are helping to support a sustainable, certified organic farm. You are helping contribute to the continuation of farming in the densely populated NY-Metro area, keeping land open for the enjoyment of people and wildlife, and helping support a family-run business that educates the public and new farmers about growing and eating healthy food.

1. Pre-Payment

I agree to pay for my share(s) in full before August 1, 2018.

If you sign up online, you will pay at checkout. These payments support us through the winter and in the early spring, when the farm has little produce to sell, so that we do not have to borrow money. In return, we work very hard all season to give you back more value in your share than you have paid – in effect, your “loan” plus “interest”.

Sometimes due to typos, cancelled credit cards or bank accounts, your online payment or installment payment will not clear. You will receive an automatic email that your payment has failed, and often a reminder from the farm that you need to supply us with an alternative form of payment. If these payments have not been remitted within one month of the failed payment, we reserve the right to cancel the remainder of your share.

Members at most NYC locations are also asked to pay a small “site fee” at checkout, varying from $10-$25. These fees are used by the community organizations and volunteers that run the pick up location to pay for scales, tents, tables, electronic media needed for communication with members, and other needs related to the CSA.

2. Mandatory Volunteer Shift

I commit to working my scheduled distribution shift(s) for sites that require this.

(If unsure, check if your pick up site has a volunteer requirement HERE on our LOCATIONS page)

Most CSA pickup sites require that members work 1-2 volunteer shifts. Usually your help is needed to make sure distribution runs smoothly, helping other members make sure to take the right items, identify produce, etc. You will have a chance to select the date and time of your work shifts after online sign up. Only one member is required to work per household share. Members are welcome to work additional shifts and/or participate in the CSA events.

You can meet other members and build community in this way – it’s fun! Further information about the specific volunteer requirements of the location you are interested in is likely available HERE or on CSA locations’ own websites that are also linked to our page.

Participating in volunteer work shift(s) when required is MANDATORY as we are member-run and your involvement is what keeps the CSA functioning. Likewise, your participation in your scheduled distribution shift is essential to keep your membership in good standing. If you cannot make your shift, you MUST arrange for someone else to work for you and notify the coordinator of that site as far in advance as possible.

3. Share Pick-Ups (Distribution)

I am responsible for picking up my own shares at my distribution time (or having a designee do so), otherwise I forfeit that weeks share.

Members assume the responsibility to pick up their shares at the weekly pick-up point, on their designated day, during the designated timeframe, or forfeit that week’s share. This includes items such as cheese, meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs, flowers, etc. If necessary, members may make their own arrangements to have someone else pick up for them, or with any other CSA CSA member to trade weeks. (The person picking up for you should check off your name on the CSA list at the distribution site.)

When arriving at distribution, members generally first need to check in before picking up a share and check in separately for each share type. Shares are listed under the primary member’s name.

Members need to pick up their shares with their own bags. We suggest two large tote bags and smaller plastic bags and containers to put individual items in.

I agree to take only the produce/goods that are part of my share, and only in the amounts designated.

Distribution is organized by item, marked with a sign that will tell the member the amount that they should take. Members are free to peruse the produce within the crate, selecting the individual vegetable that they prefer. However, members are to take ONLY the amounts listed on the share sign (whether by weight or volume). The CSA receives a fixed amount from the Farm, based on the number of members. It’s important that no one takes more than their share or change the amounts of items taken based on personal preferences, so that other members will not be deprived of some of their veggies.

4. VACATION/DELIVERY HOLDS

The farm has elected to offer delivery holds, which allow you to place up to THREE delivery holds on your account at a time. We know that members appreciate the flexibility to pause your subscription during weeks when you will not be able to receive it, and we have worked to accommodate this need. Here are some guidelines for delivery holds:

I am responsible for placing my own delivery holds, through the online portal to my csa account.
I am responsible for scheduling additional CSA shares, if desired, through the online portal to my csa account.
No “core” volunteers, farmers, or other staff at the farm are responsible for placing my delivery holds or rescheduling shares and should not be contacted asking them to do so.
No emails or phone calls will be accepted as a method of placing delivery holds or rescheduling shares. They can only be placed through the online portal to the CSA account.
Members who miss share pick ups because they did not place a Delivery Hold through the online portal will not be compensated for missed shares, neither through credits nor refunds nor additional rescheduled shares.
Each member is allowed THREE DELIVERIES to hold, not three “time periods” of hold. For example, if you are gone for one 2-week period during which time you put two deliveries on hold, this will count as 2 holds.
Credits generated through delivery holds can also be used to purchase “Webstore Extras” during the season. These credits must be used before the final share of the season, NOVEMBER 13/16/17 (depending on your pick up day).
NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED FOR UNUSED CSA CREDITS and they can not be used as credit towards Winter Shares

5. Share Contents

I understand that the shares vary in content and quantity of items from week to week. Members receive produce that is in season.

Although there is a large variety each week, the produce will change from week to week. The CSA may send an update prior to distribution as to what the share contents are likely to be; however contents are always subject to change.

I understand that the Garden of Eve Farm may reduce share quantities in the event of bad weather or other detrimental natural conditions affecting harvest.

The production and delivery of farm produce relies heavily upon weather and natural conditions. During exceptionally good conditions, CSA members benefit from surplus produce. Conversely, in the case of a season of bad weather, a natural disaster, crop failure, wild animals picking off the chickens, or other natural forces beyond control, the Farm is not liable to distribute produce or other goods it does not have to the CSA. The Farm works to mitigate these situations to the extent possible, however, this means that there may be times when share quantities be reduced. Members understand and accept the benefits and risks inherent to agriculture and neither the Garden of Eve Farm nor any CSA “core group members” or volunteer shall be held liable in the event of reduced shares. Working together to support the farm through difficult times means that the Farm will be able to recover and continue to sustain a source of quality produce for the CSA community in the long term.

6. Membership

I understand the CSA distribution is a volunteer run operation.

All CSA distribution locations not located at the farm or at one of our Farmers Market stalls are maintained by other CSA members just like yourselves. You agree not to berate, insult, or argue with them, as you understand that they are not responsible for either the quality or quantity of share items, and may have limited or incomplete knowledge about share contents. If you do have feedback or complaints (or compliments!) feel free to contact the farm DIRECTLY by email at farmer@gardenofevefarm.com at any time.

Garden of Eve Farm relies on the CSA community’s support to maintain our sustainable, organic farming. CSA members rely on the Farm to provide us with healthy, local, organic produce. Members commit to help do their part and realize that participation is the key to sustainable living. THANK YOU for making sustainable farming possible!

CLICK HERE to see Pricing and SIGN UP for sites with open signups!

7. REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY

CSA Subscriptions

The spirit of a CSA subscription is for the subscriber to buy a share of our farm’s products for a particular season. This means that you as the shareholder will share with the farmer in both the bounty and the risks associated with farming.

If you are not satisfied with your CSA subscription, you can cancel in writing to farmer@gardenofevefarm.com at any time within the first FOUR weeks of CSA deliveries. Garden of Eve farm will refund you with the unused portion of your subscription, by electronic means only.

AFTER THE FIRST FOUR WEEKS OF THE SUBSCRIPTION, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS. If you need to end your CSA subscription during the season for any reason (i.e. moving house, change in job schedule, etc.) we encourage you to re-sell the unused portion of your share, often people post things online such as “craigslist” with success. The farm and most of the coordinating groups keep lists of people on the waiting list. However, selling your share is your responsibility and the farm is NOT RESPONSIBLE for credits, refunds or otherwise for any missed weeks of pickups.

Perishable Products We will replace any perishable product (produce, eggs, turkeys) sold through our web site which the buyer deemed inedible within one week of purchase. Replacement will be with same or similar product, if the original product is not available.

Non-Perishables Garden of Eve unconditionally guarantees the quality of the non-perishable products sold on our Web site, with the exception of CSA subscriptions (see below). If you are not completely satisfied with the quality of our non-perishable products or if you find that your order contains an item you did not order, please contact us and return the item within 15 days of delivery.

Within 15 days of delivery, you may return any non-perishable product purchased from Garden of Eve for full credit, provided that the item is returned in saleable condition. Please include the following in your package: unopened items you are returning in the original packaging, original (or adequate) packing material to ensure the item’s safe arrival, and the sales invoice with the items and prices circled. Please note that we can process returns and refunds only for items purchased on GardenofEveFarm.com. Please write the reason for your return and enclose it in the box. For your protection, please use UPS or Insured Parcel Post for shipment.

WHAT WILL I GET EACH WEEK IN A TYPICAL SHARE?

CLICK HERE to see the items we gave in ACTUAL SHARES each year since we started doing CSA, how the types of vegetables you get change through the season, and the annual value!

WHERE IS THE CSA CLOSEST TO ME? CLICK HERE