Community Supported Agriculture, commonly known as CSAs or Farm Shares, began here in Massachusetts at Indian Line Farm in 1985. CSAs are a direct partnership between a farmer and community members who purchase “shares” of the harvest before the start of the growing season.  This support helps farmers with the up-front cost of buying seeds and equipment and minimizes the impact that extreme weather can have on a farm's bottom line.  When the farm has a good season members benifit from an abundance of fresh produce.  When the season is bad the farm is protected from disaster by the support of its members.  By carefully choosing which CSA you belong to members can rest assured knowing the food you're buying is the best for their health and our environment.

Our CSA - 2023 will be Plough & Stars ninth season of operation. Because we are momentarily “between farms” we are partnering with the amazing growers at Crimson and Clover Farm to bring the bounty to our Members this year.

SEASON - members will enjoy 20 weeks of certified organic vegetables picked and delivered to the Hillside at the peak of freshness and flavor from Mid June through Late October

CHOOSE ONLY WHAT YOU LIKE - Rather than providing you with a box of pre-selected items from the farm, we offer a market-style CSA.  This means each week you will be invited to choose ~ 7-11 items from a table that may have as many as 20 options to choose from at the height of the season. We strive to pack as much variety into our crop plan as possible.

VARIETY - You can use this handy chart to see what variety of produce will be available and when.  Early in the spring, you can expect more salad greens (arugula, kale, lettuce).  Midway through the year, fruiting crops (tomatoes, eggplant and peppers) make it into the mix and in fall, many the storage crops (winter squash, cabbage, onions) arrive.  We rotate through more than 120 varieties over the course of the summer and strive to have roots, greens (cooking and salad), alliums (onion family), herbs, fruiting crops and a specialty items (heading veggies like broccoli) at every pick up.

Community focused - One of the defining characteristic of our CSA is that our members live within a ~1 mile radius of each other. Our weekly pickups are designed to create a space for neighbors to meet and get to know each other. Over the course of the season we also host wood-fired pizza nights, outdoor movie screenings, concerts and potlucks.

Distributions - Distributions are at our house - 75 Capen St. in Medford on Thursdays from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Please bring your dogs, kids, recipes, instruments and reusable shopping bags.

SIZE - You can choose between a Regular Share (~10 items / week) designed to feed a family of 4, or 2 veggie-happy adults. Or a Small Share (~7 items week).  Depending on the veggie in question (and the point in the season), an ‘item’ might be defined as:

• A pint or quart of something (blueberries, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, strawberries)

• A generous bunch (greens, carrots)

• 1-2 pounds of something (eggplants, cukes, slicing tomatoes, peppers, onions)

• A head of cabbage or lettuce

• 1/2 lb of salad mix

• One melon

COST - A Regular share in Plough & Stars 2022 CSA can be purchased for $800 and a small share for $600.  We're also happy to accommodate households who'd like to split a single share.  Please read the membership agreement carefully to understand if this option will work for you.  

Farm Fresh Eggs -  Members have the option to purchase a weekly Egg Share for $180. All eggs from pastured hens raised by Cream of the Crop Farm. Laying hens nest in a mobile coop that moves amongst pastures, where they range freely. In addition to grass, food scraps, and insects, our hens enjoy GMO-free grain and scratch.

VOLUNTEERING - We will send out periodic volunteer opportunities by email.  Though it is not mandatory, we hope people will consider giving 4 hours of their time over the course of the season.  Setting up for potlucks. Making pizza’s on pizza night. Many hands make your farmers very happy.  Volunteering is a great way to get to know each other.

Sound good?  We'd love to have you along for the season. As always, call, email or shout across the fence if you have any questions