Clagett Farm CSA Terms of Service

Winter CSA 

SECTION 1 – Our Farm 

A. Becoming a Part of Our Farm 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relationship between our Farm and you, our customer. Rather than simply purchasing food, our customers become “shareholders” of this CSA, who receive a portion of the Farm’s harvest. 

B. Our Growing Practices 

This 283-acre working Farm uses regenerative agriculture practices that improve soil health and increase food and water quality. We understand the importance of growing practices that nourish the soil and promote the health and biodiversity of the land we farm, and the watershed. 

We grow our produce using USDA Certified Organic methods and Integrated Pest Management systems. 

C. The Produce We Expect for this Season 

For our 8-week CSA program, it's important to note that we grow food in season. This means that, you won't find crops like tomatoes and peppers, which are typically associated with the peak of summer. Instead, you can look forward to the return of your favorite selections from our spring and fall seasons. Additionally, we'll be introducing crops that thrive in cooler weather, adding a unique experience over the winter season.


Vegetables we plan to see often are kale, collards, cabbage, lettuce, scallions, radishes, arugula, turnips, sweet potatoes, garlic, and winter squash. Occasionally, you may come across items like fennel, chard, kohlrabi, beets, carrots, daikons, spinach, and perhaps even some broccoli. On occasion, we might include pea shoots or microgreens

D. Amount of Food Included in Share.

Our goal is to offer a selection of approximately 8-9 items, with the portion size of each item designed to accommodate 2-4 individuals, taking into account variations in vegetable consumption – for example, whether someone is a dedicated vegan or just occasionally enjoys a salad.

SECTION 2 - Membership/Share Options: 
 

A. Payment Options 

  • Pay in full for the 8 weeks ahead of time.

  • Installment plan: We offer an installment-based payment plan that allows you to pay for your CSA in 2 installments. There is a 3% additional service fee for installment-based plans. 

  • Reduced price - *See more and Apply here
     
    *Anyone who qualifies for government assistance (WIC, EBT, disability) is welcome to purchase a CSA share at a reduced price. You are also eligible for a reduced-price share if your household income is equal to or below the amount indicated in the chart below (185% of the 2019 Federal Poverty Guideline). "Household" is defined as the person living with you with whom you share your food budget. 

  • Types of Payment accepted: All major credit cards, mobile pay, Apple Pay. Currently we do not accept SNAP benefits.  

B.  Additional Charges 

  • If a subscription payment is missed, we allow 5 days before the card will be tried again for a declined payment.
    —-You will be charged a 5 percent late fee for any payment that is 5 days late. Past that it will try again in 10 days, after which your subscription will be cancelled. But never fear, we are very understanding. You may give us a call/email to discuss arrangements if needed. 

  • Beef, Lamb, Honey, and Trees from our Farm are not included in weekly shares but will be for sale in our Farm Store each week when available during the year, and can be pre-ordered at Clagettcsasales.com/meat-sales or purchased in person at the Farm pick-up. Goods from other local partners may also become available.  

SECTION 3 - Receiving the Share: 

A. Pickup Location

Clagett Farm (11904 Old Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772) 
Saturdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. 

B. Pickup Information 

Be sure to sign in with the name used when you purchased your share.

Our CSA is “market-style” meaning you bag up your share like you would at a farmer’s market.

We will list what products you can take on a board adjacent to each pickup table. We try to portion out each item and indicate how much you may take. If an item needs to be weighed, we will provide a scale in that area. Please weigh carefully, as we will have just enough for everyone.  

If you do not recognize something or are unsure how to cook it, we would love to give you general advice about how we prepare it and we provide recipes in our weekly email/blog post. If you know you do not like something or cannot use it, do not feel obliged to take it.

C. Food Safety and Handling 

We take the safety of your food seriously. While we do wash much of the CSA produce, for your added protection, we strongly encourage you to wash all produce before eating. 

D. What if you missed a week or will miss a week? 

No double shares.

For the winter space for growing is very limited so we will not be able to accommodate missed weeks the same as we do for our main season CSA. We encourage you to have a friend or family member fill-in if possible for weeks you know you may be away.

E. What if you would like to send a friend? 

It is easy! You may allow anyone to pick up your vegetables for you. All they will need to do is tell us the name used to purchase the share, and we will tell them how to pick it up. 

F. Bags 

We encourage you to bring your own bags, boxes, or cooler to carry your vegetables home to reduce waste.

G. What if you arrive late at your pickup? 

If you know you may be running behind- feel free to email us at the farm at least before noon that Saturday of pick-up to ask for a pre-bagged share to be left for you on our CSA bench.

H. Compost 

At Clagett Farm, you will see a bin somewhere on the ground near the pickup area. If you brought something for our compost pile, you could empty your bag into that bin.  
 
We do prefer that you take your smellier compost straight to the pile to reduce mess at the pick-up area.

There is also a shell recycling bin located at the Old Marlboro Pike Farm entrance and the Phillip Merrill Environmental Center entrance for oyster shell to be used in our Shell Recycling Program. 

 

SECTION 4 – OUR SHARED COMMITMENTS  

A. Our Commitment to You 

As farmers of a certified organic farm, we promise to grow your produce using only organic methods. We will listen to your feedback each week at the pickup and consider it as we continue to perfect the art of running a CSA! Just as you agree to share our risks with us, we agree to share the benefits of a successful season with you. 

B. Your Commitment to Us 

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

  • We may cover for a much larger crop loss by buying from other local farmers that are growing with regenerative, Bay-friendly practices. This may not be a feasible option for all crops because of cost or widespread failure. 

C. Refund/Cancellation Policy 

We will offer full refunds/cancellation up until the first week of distribution, after which no refunds will be given, as by that time we have already invested in our supplies for the season. 

If for some reason our shared commitments and/or general guidelines for being on the Farm cannot be met, we reserve the right to revoke your share and access to the Farm for the benefit of Farm staff and other shareholders. 


SECTION 5 - Farm Visits: 

A. Visiting the Farm: 

You are welcome to come to visit the Farm only during your CSA pick-up on Saturdays 1:00-3:00 p.m. or By Appt. with us

We ask all guests to remain along the main corridor and around the CSA pickup area.
 For your safety and the safety of others on the Farm, be sure to drive only on paved or gravel roads and go at a slow speed as pedestrians are around.

Anyone visiting the Farm that is under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal adult.  

B. Farm Hazards: 

We do our best to minimize risks to you and your family when you are visiting.  However, we are a working farm, and it is impossible to eliminate all hazards. 

  • Uneven ground: Please exercise caution when walking around the Farm as there may be groundhog holes, slippery grass, or other tripping hazards. 

  • Electric fence: We use electric fences to care for our animals and protect certain areas of the Farm. We try to turn off sections that are not being actively used before CSA pickup; however, to avoid an unpleasant jolt you should assume that all fences are “hot” and not touch. 

  • Farm animals: We raise cows and sheep year-round. They are fascinating to watch, and we encourage you to do so. However, we ask that you do not feed them, pet them, or enter their enclosures unless accompanied by Farm Staff. 

  • Farm equipment: Please do not approach or touch any farm equipment or tools. 

  • Barns: Please do not enter any of the buildings on the Farm other than the CSA Distribution area and the bathroom facilities.  

C. Dogs: 

Due to our livestock and many guests/volunteers, no dogs are allowed to be walked on the farm.

D. Bathrooms: 

We have a pair of composting toilets across the driveway from the washing station. The building is painted red, so you cannot miss it. There is a sink for handwashing on the right side of the building and sanitizer in each bathroom. 
 

SECTION 6 – Communication: 

We will never share your personal information with any third party for any purpose other than managing your CSA share. 

A. Email: 

By signing up for the CSA, I understand that I will be added to the email list where Farm Staff will share information about what is being distributed, recipes, and notes from the Farm.  For the winter CSA this will go out the week of distribution over the course of December- March.

Your purchase includes periodic email updates from CBF. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of any email you receive from us. 

B. Phone: 

We may need to contact you via phone regarding your share if the information is time-sensitive (e.g. alerting you of a same-day change to your CSA pickup, or if you are not responsive to email attempts). 

C. Blog/Website: 

We update our blog regularly with information regarding the CSA and general information about the Farm. You may also visit our website to learn more. 

D. Contact Us: 

Send general CSA questions/concerns to clagettfarm@cbf.org with subject labeled CSA.