Farm Contact Information:

Serenity Farm
3515 W 125th St N
Sedgwick, KS 67135
Phone: 316-772-9140
Cell: 316-570-0791

Web: https://www.serenityfarmcsa.com

We, the farm, wish to provide you with fresh, local, seasonal food and you, the member, wish to receive a portion of our harvest. This agreement outlines our shared commitments to that relationship.

Section 1. Introducing Our CSA Farm

1. Becoming a Part of Our Farm

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relationship between our farm and you as our customer. Rather than simply purchasing food, our customers become “members” of this CSA farm in order to receive a portion of the farm’s harvest. Our CSA runs through four seasons, from April through December. The first three seasons have a duration of eight weeks, and the fourth season has a duration of six weeks.  Members are free to subscribe to any number of the four seasons. Members are responsible for showing up at the pick-up site each week to pick up your share of freshly harvested produce and other items. You will generally receive six to ten (three to six for a half-share) types of vegetables and/or fruits each week over the course of the season. Any additional items ordered will also be delivered to the pick-up site. Detailed information regarding pick-up is discussed below in Section 3. Variety and quantity may vary as described below in Section 2.

1. Our Growing Practices

The farm was formerly USDA Certified Organic for commodity crops such as wheat and soybeans, but our vegetables are still grown according to the same standards and beyond. Organic produce is grown without using specific conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. For more information about organic production, please ask. We’d be happy to tell you more.

Our animals are pasture raised and grass-fed. Pasture raised animals are allowed continuous access to the outdoors during their production cycle. Grass-fed animals receive the majority of their nutrients from grass throughout their life. Our poultry is supplemented with certified organic feed mixed by a local mill.

1. The Products We Expect

We maintain a chart of expected produce varieties and delivery dates on our website. This chart is based on our best estimate, but of course weather, pests, and other events will affect actual production. It will be updated as circumstances warrant and time allows for us to be at the computer. Variety and amount of produce is subject to change without notice.

Section 2. Our Shared Commitments

1. Sharing in the Risk of Crop Failure

We promise to do our best to provide you with a bountiful share each week. The quantity and quality of produce, however, may vary from week-to-week due to extreme weather, insects, or other production factors despite our best efforts. By joining our CSA, you are agreeing to share the risk of crop failure with us and other members.

In the unlikely event of a crop failure, our procedure is as follows:

If only a small portion of crops fail, we compensate for the failed crops by filling your share with other crops grown on the farm that are ready for harvest at that time. If a large portion of crops fail, we may not be able to deliver much, or any, product in some weeks, with extra produce to compensate in later weeks if circumstances allow.

1. Sharing in the Reward of Crop Surplus

In addition to our CSA, our farm sells to farmers markets, restaurants, and grocery stores. Although production is not segregated, our CSA receives priority. After filling our CSA share with the week’s harvest first, the remainder is sold to our other markets. Additionally, we may experiment with new varieties so that we can increase diversity. These crops will be distributed as equitably as possible but all members of the CSA may not receive all items.

Section 3. Picking Up Shares

You are responsible for picking up your share each week from your drop site. Drop site location and time is chosen when you order your shares.

You are responsible for observing our drop site rules, which are as follows:

1. Bring your own bag and leave the box at the site.
2. Pick up your share within the time frame stated. Although we deliver high-quality produce to the site, it will decline quickly if not picked up in time.
3. Be respectful of our drop site hosts’ property.
4. Follow any additional rules posted at your drop site.

If you cannot pick-up your share, you must arrange for someone else to pick it up for you. You are responsible for explaining the pick-up location and procedures to your substitute. If you know you will be gone a particular week, please let us know if a friend is coming to get your share or if you would like it donated. If you wish to change your drop site, please contact us to make arrangements. Shares that are not retrieved within the pick-up time will be held for two days to give you an opportunity to pick up at the farm, then donated to a charity or deserving local family in need.

We take the safety of your food seriously. We wash produce and refrigerate as soon as possible, as well as keeping meats properly frozen. For your added protection, you should still wash all produce before eating and put frozen products in the freezer as soon as possible.

Section 4. Member Fees

By selling membership in advance of the growing season, CSA reduces the burden of up-front costs for the farmer. Your membership fees provide us with money to purchase seed and equipment before the season starts, and we appreciate your commitment. However, since our farm operates on such slim margins, and lays out much of its expenses prior to the season starting, we are unable to provide refunds of membership fees. If something comes up that you are unable to continue your membership, we will do our best to assist you in finding someone to take over your account.

Payment in full is due at the time of sign-up, regardless of payment method.  However, on request, we will be happy to take payments with 25% down and the balance paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly.  There will be a $5 per payment convenience charge added for partial payments.  We accept payment by cash, check, or credit card. If you need to make payments, please contact us for arrangements prior to ordering.

Section 5. Communicating with Us

The best way to communicate with us is via email or phone. Our email is serenityfarmcsa@hushmail.com, and our home phone is 316-772-9140. Brad’s cell phone is 316-570-0791. The best times to reach us are after dark, though we do come to the house periodically during the day. We will do our best to respond as soon as possible, but please understand that we spend most of our time in the field growing your food and not at our desk. Please feel free to contact us for any reason. We will communicate with you by periodic emails. When you sign up, you will be added to our distribution list. Please read your emails from us. We depend on being able to communicate important information such as necessary changes to your distribution schedule or to our farm events. Every week or three, we will email a newsletter giving you information about the crops coming up, recipe ideas, or other farm related news. If for some reason you do not receive emails from us, please let us know so we can troubleshoot.

By purchasing a membership share, you agree to abide by this membership agreement. You understand that, although unlikely, the farm may change parts of this agreement related to production and distribution from time to time. You understand that we will contact you via email in advance of any changes to this agreement.