We ask all new subscribers to carefully read through the following guidelines. This creates a clear understanding between the farmer and member.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) was a model originally conceived in the idea that neighbors buy a “share”of the farm at the beginning of the season, covering the cost of seed, irrigation parts, compost, packing supplies, and the myriad of things that the farmer needed to get the season going, and taking on some of the risk that the farmer carries in planting, tending and harvesting crops. In exchange, the “share-owners” received fresh, seasonal produce from the farm on a regular basis. It is based on mutual respect between the customers and the farmers. Our current CSA model assumes this structure, but has evolved to give the subscriber more freedom in when and how much they pay at a time for their subscription.
Payments: We use a programcalled Farmigo to help manage the financial interactions between our customers and our farm. With it, Terra Firma subscribers have online access to their own accounts. We accept payment via Paypal (credit card) or E-Check (bank account).
You have the option of starting with a trial subscription of two boxes, your choice of size. After this, you have a range of payment increments from which to choose.
Box Sizes and Values: We offer three box sizes for you to choose from, depending on your household size and frequency of produce use.
Small $20| Medium $30 | Large $41
We provide bonuses for subscribers who make larger payments to help us finance the long term operation of our farm.
For a payment of $300, get a 3% bonus. Your balance will be $309.
For a payment of $850, get a 5% bonus. Your balance will be $892.
For a payment of $1,400, get a 7% bonus. Your balance will be $1,498.
Autopay Option: If you choose the Autopay option, your account will automatically be charged again any time the balance falls below $40, and you will receive an email notification of the charge.
Manual Payment: If you prefer, you will still have the option to make manual payments. In this case, you will receive an email when your account balance is below $50, and another if a hold has to be placed on your account because the balance does not cover that week’s box.
Communication: Terra Firma publishes a weekly newsletter that subscribers receive via email. A searchable database of newsletters is also available online. The newsletter will announce any important changes in delivery schedule, prices, policies, etc. The newsletter is available on our website under “Member News”.
By agreeing to join our CSA, you are also agreeing to read email communications from us including:
- Notice of account balance below $50
- Box on hold notice
- Site changes / updates
- Special announcements (new items available in CSA store, delivery changes due to holidays, etc.)
- Site member communication (issues / changes at your site or important communication from your site host)
Please add csa@terrafirmafarm.com to your address book to protect our communications from spam filters.
We encourage subscribers to give us feedback about box quality and contents by emailing us at csa@terrafirmafarm.com. Please include the name on your account so that we can respond accordingly.
Refund / Credit: If you believe you deserve a credit for poor quality, damaged, or otherwise unsaleable produce, please email us. We will evaluate cases individually. Be sure to include what day/time you picked up the produce, how it was stored, and pictures if possible. We want to share the best quality produce possible, so your feedback helps us improve our systems and catch issues early on.
Each pickup site has a check list where subscribers mark off their name on pickup each week. It is our way of communicating to you whether a box was delivered for you, and what size. We do not go back and pickup the site lists later, so please do not leave any checks or correspondence at the pickup site.
How do I get started? Click on the “Sign Up” tab on our website. A confirmation of your account, pickup location details, and start date will be automatically emailed to you.
Referral Credit: We value your loyalty and would like to reward you for spreading the word. If you refer someone to our program, ask them to mention your name on signup, and we will give you an $18 referral credit.
Box on Hold Notice: We will send you an email in the beginning of the week if your balance is too low for a box that week. If you make a payment a day or two before delivery, send us an email to see if we can deliver a box for you that week. We do not hold your box if you have a payment processing. Credit will not be given if you fail to pick up your box.
Cancellation: To cancel your Terra Firma subscription, send us an email. We understand that things come up suddenly, but if you can, please give us at least two weeks notice if you are cancelling (moving, change in situation, etc.).
Pickup Location Etiquette: Terra Firma relies heavily our own private drop sites, and we ask everyone to follow the following rules:
- Please observe the pick-up times carefully and be respectful to your site host. Doors may be locked or hosts gone to bed during other times. If you do not pick up your box during the designated hours, it is not guaranteed that you will receive it.
- Take the box with your name on it, and remind your friend to do the same if they are picking up for you.
- Do not look through other peoples boxes. All the like-sized boxes contain the same items.
- Return your boxes for recycling. Please unfold them carefully according to instructions on the bottom. We use the boxes multiple times. Please do not leave the papers or other trash at your local friendly pickup site.
Holiday Break: We take a two-week break over the winter holidays every year. A large percentage of subscribers take vacations during the same two weeks. Plus, we like to offer our crew a vacation from the rigorous schedule that growing and harvesting food demands. You will not be charged for a box during our holiday break.
Other Holiday Changes: The newsletter will have the schedule changes. The newsletter archive can be found under “Member News”.