2013 list of Washington area CSAs
By Becky Krystal,
There’s nothing like the promise of spring to get one through the cold months of winter. You can act on that promise by signing up for a community-supported agriculture program, or CSA.
In a CSA, members stake a claim on part of a farm’s harvest by paying a set fee in advance. The farmers get help covering their costs, and customers in turn receive a weekly or, in some cases, biweekly grab bag of produce. A good number of CSAs are branching out and including eggs, bread, meat and other items in their shares. Some offer separate shares for those specialty goods.
Share sizes vary. Conventional wisdom is that a full share provides enough produce to feed a family of four for one week. Half shares and mini shares are available. The language of sizing can differ among farms, so ask before you make your decision.
Another thing to consider: How pickup works. Most CSAs have their members collect shares at fixed points, such as farmers markets, schools or stores. Others offer delivery, included in the price of the share or as an added fee. As you compare your options, take into account the cost of gas or your time.
These farms still had shares for sale as of the end of January. Many sell out, so sign up early.
The farms are listed according to the state in which they are located. To search for CSAs by pickup location, check out our interactive map.
— Becky Krystal
MARYLAND
5 a Day CSA
Silver Spring
Vicki Reese, 301-595-0379
Spring/summer share $750, 15 weeks; spring/summer/fall share $1,400, 32 weeks; flexible option, pay $50 membership fee, then choose a weekly box, price varies. Compilation of items from several farms.
Delivery to Silver Spring and Hyattsville; office delivery sites available per request. Compilation of Pennsylvania farms.
Backbone Food Farm
Oakland
Katharine Dubansky, 301-334-5633
$350 full share, $560 family share, 20 weeks.
Pickup in Frostburg, Md., and Thomas, W.Va., and at the farm.
Big White Barn CSA
Frederick
Steve or Anita Goertemiller, 301-874-3173
$550 weekly full share, $325 weekly half share, $275 biweekly full share, 20 weeks.
Pickup in the District, Baltimore, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg and Crystal City and at the farm. Home and business delivery available.
Blades Orchard
Federalsburg
Lynda Blades, 410-754-8857
bladesorchard@bladesorchard.com
$400 full share, $200 half share, 14 weeks; $350 full share, $175 half share, 12 weeks (fall); fruit shares ($250, 10 weeks) available.
Pickup in Annapolis, Denton, Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Salisbury and St. Michaels and at the farm.
Blue Tomato Farms
Harwood
Shawn Sizer, 410-507-5917
$1,725 family share, 32 weeks, or $1,200, 20 weeks; $1,200 couples share, 32 weeks, or $800, 20 weeks; $750 single share, 32 weeks, or $495, 20 weeks; eggs shares available.
Delivery included in price of shares.
Brad’s Produce
Churchville
Brad Milton, 410-734-4769
$495 full share, $315 half share, $290 biweekly share, 24 weeks; $100 early spring share, four weeks; $200 summer share, eight weeks; egg and bread shares available.
Pickup at the farm.
Breezy Willow Farm
West Friendship
R.J. Caulder, 410-442-1807
$462 early-bird share, 12 weeks; $894, 24 weeks.
Pickup in Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City and Fulton and at the farm.
Calvert Farm
Rising Sun
Pam Stegall Roberts and Paul Roberts, 410-658-3914
$500 full share, 20 weeks (eight-week fall extension available for $250).
Pickup in Annapolis, Arnold, Baltimore, Beltsville, Bowie, Columbia, Edgewater, Fort George G. Meade, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Laurel, Millersville, Odenton, Olney, Owings Mills, Rockville, Severna Park and Silver Spring and at the farm.
Clagett Farm
Upper Marlboro
Carrie Vaughn, 301-627-4662
$575 full share (Dupont Circle pickup), $515 (farm pickup), plus $50 new-member fee, 26 weeks; reduced-price shares available for low-income families: $287.50 (Dupont), $257.50 (farm), 26 weeks.
Pickup in the District and at the farm.
Colchester Farm CSA
Georgetown
Theresa Mycek, 443-282-1409
$365 small share, $525 medium share, $800 large share, 26 weeks.
Pickup in Chestertown and Stevensville and at the farm.
Double Oak Farm
Prince Frederick
Kady Everson, 410-414-3400
$625 full share for members of the American Chestnut Land Trust, $685 for non-members, 25 weeks.
Pickup at the farm.
Dragonfly Farms
Mount Airy
Sue Lewis, 240-353-8408
$750 spring/summer or $1,650 (with premium items such as eggs, meat and honey), 16 weeks; 10-week fall add-on available for $525 or $1,145 with premium items.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Clarksville, Columbia, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring, Arlington, Falls Church, Potomac, Reston and Vienna and at the farm.
Even’ Star Organic Farm
Lexington Park
Brett Grohsgal, 301-481-6832
www.localharvest.org/farms/M9994
$390, 13 weeks (neighborhood delivery); $300-$500 farmers market option, 26-week debit system.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Rockville, University Park, Waldorf, Alexandria and Arlington and at the farm.
The Farm at Our House
Brookeville
Michelle Nowak, 724-840-4022
$210-$750, eight to 25 weeks.
Pickup in Silver Spring and at the farm.
Farmstead of Charlotte Hall
Charlotte Hall
Tony and Lori Brown, 301-481-6671
$600, 18 weeks; discount given for local pickup.
Pickup in Chevy Chase, Silver Spring and Waldorf and at the farm.
Good Fortune Farm
Brandywine
Michael Klein, 301-579-2105
www.localharvest.org/csa/M7175
$640, 20 weeks, may include eggs.
Home delivery available to the District, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Takoma Park and University Park.
Good Life Farm
Darnestown
Larry Ledgard, 301-968-7987
$85-$640, 1-20 weeks; subscribers select share weeks online.
Pickup at the farm; corporate deliveries available.
Gorman Farm
Columbia/Laurel
Dave Liker, 301-908-8063
$710 full share, $530 half share, 24 weeks. Returning-member discount available.
Pickup at the farm.
Greenbranch Organic Farm
Salisbury
Ted Wycall, 443-736-7779
$480 small share (two or three people), $920 medium share (four or five people), $1,365 large share (six or more people), 30 weeks; chicken and milk shares available; organic producer.
Pickup at the farm stand.
Groundworks Farm
Pittsville
Margaret Evans and Kevin Brown, 443-220-2338
$650, 24 weeks; meat, chicken, egg and cheese shares available.
Pickup at the farm or Alexandria, Annapolis and the District for an extra fee.
Homestead Farm
Millington
Alison Howard, 410-490-7038
alison.howard@baybroadband.net
www.freshorganicvegetables.com
$525 full share, $380 small share, 22 weeks.
Pickup in Annapolis, Arnold, Baltimore, Bowie, Centreville, Easton, Millersville, Severna Park and Stevensville and at the farm.
House in the Woods CSA
Adamstown
Ilene and Phil Freedman, 301-607-4048
$600 full share, 20 weeks; $350 half share, 10 weeks.
Pickup at the farm; other drop-off sites possible.
Jug Bay Market Garden
Upper Marlboro
Scott Hertzberg, 301-627-6211
$630, 18 weeks.
Pickup in the District and at the farm.
Karl’s Farm
Pisgah
Karl or Paula Wiegand, 301-743-7941
$600 full share, $360 half share, 20 weeks; eight-week fall shares ($240 full, $144 half) also available.
Home deliveries (for an extra $140 per season, $56 for the fall) inside the Beltway to locations in Maryland or the District; or pickup at the farm.
The Lamb’s Quarter
Owings
James Bourne, 443-624-3365
$635 full share, 22 weeks; $400 half share, 11 weeks.; chicken, meat and egg shares available.
Pickup at the farm and delivery to Alexandria.
Lock Farm
Woodsboro
John Poffenbarger, 301-639-6988
$130, six weeks (spring); $400, 20 weeks; $120, six weeks (fall); $215, 12 weeks (winter).
Pickup in Frederick and Walkersville and at the farm.
Market Basket
Annapolis
Craig Sewell, 410-266-1511
$645 full share, 25 weeks; eggs, dairy and meat also on weekly ordering. Compilation from Maryland farms.
Pickup at A Cook’s Cafe, 911 Commerce Rd., Annapolis.
Norman’s Farm Market
Potomac
Eris Norman, 301-674-9929
$1,147.50 jumbo share, $715.50 large share, $496.10 small share, 28 weeks; $340 jumbo share, $210 large share, $146.80 small share, eight weeks (early, middle or late season); $105 large share, $73.40 small share, four weeks (May); egg shares available.
Pickup in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Rockville.
One Acre Farm
Boyds
Michael Protas, 301-503-3724
$650, 22 weeks.
Pickup in the District, Potomac and Rockville and at the farm.
One Straw Farm
Northern Baltimore County
Joan Norman, 410-343-1828
$545 (before March 1)/$600 (after March 1) full share, $285 (before March 1)/$310 (after March 1) half share, 25 weeks.
Pickup at 45 Baltimore metro area locations and at the farm.
Open Book Farm
Myersville
Mary Kathryn and Andrew Barnet, 240-457-2558
$400 winter share, four months; $600 meat share, six months.
Pickup at the farm.
Pheasant Hill Farm CSA
Mount Airy
Marjorie Satterlee, 410-215-7173
www.localharvest.org/pheasant-hill-farm-csa-M20139
$575 full share, $450 half share, 18 weeks.
Pickup in Damascus, Gaithersburg, Mount Airy and Wheaton.
Priapi Gardens
Cecilton
Vic Priapi, 410-275-9438
$225, 10 weeks (spring or fall); $435, 22 weeks (summer); organic.
Pickup in Stevensville.
Query Mill Farm
Darnestown
Mark Israel, 301-926-8602
$400 full share, $200 half share, 20 weeks; organic, though not certified.
Pickup at the farm or delivery to western Montgomery County ($8 per week).
Radix Farm
Upper Marlboro
Kristin Carbone, 202-744-0373
$675 full share, 22 weeks; $425 or $600 debit-style pickup at farmers market, 26 weeks.
Pickup in the District and Arlington and possibly Upper Marlboro.
Red Wiggler CSA
Germantown
Kara Desmond, 301-916-2216
$210 spring share, seven weeks; $330 summer share, 11 weeks; $210 fall share, seven weeks; certified organic.
Pickup at the farm.
Sandy Spring CSA
Sandy Spring
Howard Zuses, 301-476-0632
$740, 24 weeks; $455 for 60 percent share, 24 weeks. Items from Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative.
Pickup in Ashton, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Derwood, Ellicott City, Gaithersburg, Garrett Park, Great Falls, Kensington, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Wheaton, Fairfax and Falls Church.
Side by Side Farm
Freeland
Sarah Sohn, 410-343-1196
$500 (farm pickup) or $525 (Baltimore pickup), 22 weeks.
Pickup in Baltimore or at the farm.
Spiritual Food for the New Millennium
Bethesda
Lakshmi Landa, 301-654-4899
spiritualfood@schooloflife.org
$1,999, 50 weeks; $1,000 summer share, 25 weeks; $1,000 winter share, 25 weeks; all shares include fresh vegetables and fruit plus grains, bread, dried fruit, eggs, yogurt, cheese and legumes. Early-bird discount available through March 15. Organic; compilation from multiple farms.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Cabin John, Takoma Park and Arlington.
Stoecker Farms
White Hall, Middle River and Fullerton
Weida Stoecker or Charles Stoecker, 410-340-2372
$250 small share, $500 standard share, $775 large share, 25 weeks.
Pickup in Beltsville and College Park.
Summer Creek Farm
Thurmont
Rick Hood, 301-271-9399
$500, 18 weeks.
Pickup in Frederick and Urbana and at the farm.
Sycamore Spring Farm
Frederick
Carol Rollman, 301-788-6980
$750, 30 weeks; $594, 22 weeks; “bountiful harvest” $270, nine weeks (July and August); “autumn harvest” $240, eight weeks; $245 monthly program for seven plus-size shares; egg and beef shares available.
Pickup at the farm, or delivery to the District and Urbana, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Germantown and Rockville.
Wilson’s Farm Market
Bel Air
Janelle Vane, 410-836-8980
$475 full share, $300 half share (every week), $275 half share (eight consecutive weeks or every other week), 16 weeks; $450 flexible share (in-store only), 16 weeks; egg and flower shares available.
Pickup at Wilson’s Farm Market and at the farm.
PENNSYLVANIA
Bending Bridge Farm
Mercersburg
Audrey Fisher-Pedersen, 717-328-3627
A la carte credits ($250, $500, $750 or $1,000) can be purchased online and are good for one year.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Germantown and Silver Spring.
Earth Spring Farm
Carlisle
Mike Nolan, 717-805-7778
$600 large share, $500 small share, 20 weeks; cheese, eggs, and fruit shares available.
Pickup in Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase (Md.), College Park, the District, Frederick, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and at the farm.
Farm of Peace
Warfordsburg
Halima Willett, 717-573-2956
$700 full share, $365 half share, 24 weeks; $500 full share, $260 half share, 16 weeks.
Pickup in the District, Falls Church, Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
Leola
Tyson Snader, 717-656-3533
$740 full vegetable share, 25 weeks; $455 half vegetable share, 25 weeks; winter shares from $250, 12 weeks; fruit, flower, cheese and egg shares available. Compilation of area farms.
Pickup in the District and Baltimore.
Licking Creek Bend Farm
Needmore
Michael Tabor, 301-587-1739
Four sessions (June-July, August-September, October, November), $37.50 per week. Early-bird discounts available.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.
North Mountain Pastures
Newport
Brooks Miller, 717-497-3496
farm@northmountainpastures.com
Meat only. $760-$826 full share, $387-$517 half share, five months.
Pickup in the District, Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
Spiral Path Farm
Loysville
Terra Brownback, 717-789-4433
$1,017 full share, $720 medium share, 36 weeks; $585 full share, $414 medium share, 18 weeks. Early-bird discounts and five-week June sampler available.
Pickup in Silver Spring.
VIRGINIA
Agriberry CSA
Studley
Susan Noyce, 410-703-5381
$600, 20 weeks.
Pickup in Annapolis.
Blenheim Organic Gardens
Washington’s Birthplace
Lawrence and Becky Latane, 804-224-7039
www.localharvest.org/csa/M12666
$540 (farm pickup), $575 (Fredericksburg pickup) or $610 (Falls Church pickup) full share, 15 weeks; $290 (farm pickup), $310 (Fredericksburg pickup) or $335 (Falls Church pickup) half share, 15 weeks. Certified organic.
Pickup in Falls Church and Fredericksburg and at the farm.
Bull Run Mountain Vegetable Farm
The Plains
Leigh Hauter, 703-754-4005
$1,295 large share (four people), $648 medium share (two people), $485 small share (one person), 19 weeks, plus four weeks before and two weeks after the season for pickup at the farm; egg and fruit shares available.
Pickup in the District, Alexandria, Centreville, East Falls Church and Manassas and at the farm.
East Lynn Farm
Round Hill
Georgia Basser, 202-253-3737
$495 full share, 24 weeks; early-bird and returning-member discounts available.
Pickup in the District, Arlington, Aldie and Fairfax Station and at the farm; home delivery available for an extra $10 per week (additional building or neighborhood pickups can be arranged for no delivery fee if at least six people from the building or neighborhood register).
Fair Oaks Farm
Aldie
Georgia Basser, 202-253-3737
$495 full share, 24 weeks; early-bird and returning-member discounts available.
Pickup in the District, Arlington, Aldie, Fairfax Station and Stone Ridge and at the farm; home delivery available for an extra $10 per week (additional building or neighborhood pickups can be arranged for no delivery fee if at least six people from the building or neighborhood register).
Farm to Family/Farm Bus
Henrico
Mark and Suzi Lilly, 804-767-8570
$2,556 full share, $1,278 biweekly share (meat, vegetables, dairy and bread; all can be ordered individually as well), 24 weeks; soy, coffee, pet treats and egg shares available. Compilation of regional farms.
Pickup in the District.
Great Country Farms
Bluemont
Vanessa Jozwiak, 540-554-2073
$439-$589 full share (depending on pickup or delivery site), 20 weeks.
Pickup in Arlington, Chantilly, Lansdowne and Sterling and at the farm; delivery to homes or businesses in Northern Virginia.
Olin-Fox Farms
Reedville
John and Alice Cooper, 804-453-4125
$1,097-$1,172, 25-week all-season share; $168-$180 four-week winter share; $252-$270 six-week spring share; $408-$432, eight-week summer share; $294-$315 seven-week fall share; all-season and summer shares include fruit shares; sales tax included in the price.
Pickup in Alexandria, Annandale, Occoquan, Springfield and Stafford and at the farm store.
Polyface Farm
Staunton
Sheri Salatin, 540-887-8194
Pay-as-you-go buying club for meat (beef, chicken and pork) and eggs; monthly March through October.
Check Web site for pickup locations.
Potomac Vegetable Farm East
Vienna
Hana Newcomb, 703-759-2119
hana@potomacvegetablefarms.com
$352 mini share, $512 regular share, $672 robust share, 16-week summer season; $176 mini share, $256 regular share, $336 robust share, nine-week fall season; egg, flower and bread shares available.
Pickup in Bethesda, Alexandria, Arlington, Ashburn, Falls Church, Fairfax, Herndon, Leesburg, Occoquan and Reston and at the farm.
Potomac Vegetable Farm West
Purcellville
Stacey Carlberg, 540-668-5139
stacey@potomacvegetablefarms.com
$480 market-style pickup share, 16 weeks; $240 fall market-style pickup share, nine weeks; egg, chicken and flower shares available.
Pickup at the farm.
Quarter Branch Farm
Lovettsville
Kevin Grove, 540-822-0123
$783 full share, $540 small share, 27 weeks.
Pickup in Rockville and Lansdowne Crossing and at the farm.
Stoney Lonesome Farm
Gainesville
Esther Elliott, 703-754-4833
$748, 24 weeks.
Pickup in the District, Friendship Heights, Fairfax and Falls Church and at the farm.
Stoneybrook Farm
Hillsboro
Matthew Scott, 540-668-9067
$955 jumbo share, $685 full share, $365 half share, 16 weeks.
Pickup at the farm.
Terembry Farm
Sumerduck
Sharon McCamy, 540-522-8692
$600 full share, $300 half share, 17 weeks.
Pickup in Fredericksburg; home delivery available for an additional fee.
Wicked Oak Farms
Star Tannery
Russ Anderson, 571-201-2963 or 540-931-5028
$880 full share, $440 half share, 30 weeks.
Pickup in Lorton and at the farm.
Willowsford Farm
Ashburn
Michael Snow, 571-297-6900
$700, 28 weeks; egg shares and weekly pre-orders for baked goods, vegetables and meat available. Additional delivery sites available.
Pickup in Aldie at the farm.
WEST VIRGINIA
Bigg Riggs Farm
Loom
Calvin Riggleman, 540-550-5480
$775 full share, $410 half share, 22 weeks.
Pickup in the District, Alexandria, Arlington, Sterling and Vienna and at the farm.
Fresh and Local CSA
Shepherdstown
Maura Balliett, 304-876-3382
$600, 18 weeks; pastured egg shares available.
Pickup in the District, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Arlington and McLean and at the farm.
Garden by the Woods
Martinsburg
Patricia Corona, 304-433-7090
www.localharvest.org/csa/M22711
$15 per week, flowers only; April through October.
Pickup in the District and at the farm.
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