Washington DC Virginia Maryland CSA: feeding our souls

Become a part of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Dragonfly Farms is partnering with Whole Foods Markets to offer

a summer csa location in Vienna, VA.

This is a special summer share starting

Saturday, July 10 and ending Saturday, September 4.

Pickup is inside the store between Saturday noon and Sunday 8 pm.

Crates will be refrigerated in the produce section.

Fall share signup is not required.

All missed weeks must be made up prior to the start of the fall season.

Members must notify us by Friday 5 pm if they will not be picking up;

otherwise, the share will be donated to a local food bank.

Whole Foods is not responsible for the delivery of shares;

and, you must contact us directly with any questions or concerns and not store management. Option items or add-ons are not being offered at this location and shares include fruit and vegetables only.

To sign up, complete the application download and mail it to us with your payment.

2010 Fall shares now available

click here for an application to join any of our other locations

12 week CSA begins September 5-November 27

Our Community Supported Agriculture program consists of two plans-the traditional fruits and vegetables plan and the Premium shares plan. Both include weekly shares of fresh, quality products that are wholesome, minimally-processed, and locally-produced. These items come from a network of reliable, conscientious producers who not only strive to satisfy their members needs but also believe in the good stewardship of their endeavors.

By joining our CSA, members will take part in the support of local agriculture and contribute to the operation of our small farms. Premium shareholders will not only enjoy the benefits of locally-produced fruits and vegetables, but also, direct from the farm fresh flowers, artisanal bread, cheese, honey, fresh roasted fair trade gourmet coffee, authentic slow-fermented wine vinegar, and farm fresh eggs from humanely-treated hens. We are committed to providing quality and work with a network of farms to ensure member satisfaction.

Without your support, local farms would not be able to maintain the high costs of sustainable and natural farming. At Dragonfly Farms, we practice natural farming that does not pollute our environment with any form of synthetic pesticides. We employ companion planting, row covers, natural soil enrichment, and rotate our crops every year.

We make every effort to provide chemical-free veggies; and, we did not use any pesticides in 2009 on any of our tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers, cucumbers, gourmet onions, herbs, or fresh flowers.

Major benefits of Dragonfly Farms CSA:

* enjoy a variety of wholesome, fresh, locally grown vegetables

* taste fresh local fruit direct from the grower

* experience beautiful, long-lasting chemical-free fresh-cut flowers

* access some of the most nutritious and healthy produce in the area

* save valuable time shopping for edibles

*support your local agricultural economy by patronizing farms directly

*become part of the slow food and green movements

*reduce your carbon imprint and your impact on the environment

2010 Dragonfly Farms CSA Plans

Spring/Summer Shares run 18 weeks from the week of May 2 to the week of August 29

Fall Shares run 12 weeks from the week of September 5 to the week of November 21

Membership Plans:

Spring/Summer Share: $695

(Fruit & Vegetables)

Fall Share: $495

(Fruit & Vegetables)

Spring/Summer/Fall Shares: $1190

(Fruit & Vegetables)

Spring/Summer Premium Shares: $1595

(Fruit & Vegetables and Premium Items)

Fall Premium Shares: $1095

(Fruit & Vegetables and Premium Items)

Spring/Summer/Fall Premium Shares: $2690

(Fruit & Vegetables and Premium Items)

*Mini Premium Add-On*

Spring/Summer Share: $295

(18 weeks of eggs, bread, and fresh flower bunches)

Fall Share: $150

(9 weeks of eggs, bread, fresh flowers/dried flower bunch or fall mum)

click here for an application

click here to pickup at Whole Foods Vienna

Premium Items

direct from the farm fresh-cut flower bouquets/bunches every week until frost;

one potted mum or one bunch of dried flowers per week after frost

gourmet slow-fermented wine vinegar

one bottle per season (1-spring/summer, 1-fall)

local artisanal bread sliced loaf each week

local honey 1lb every month

locally-roasted gourmet fair trade coffee every month

local artisanal cheese 1/2lb every two weeks

local farm-raised eggs from humanely-treated hens

one dozen every week

Amish-raised heritage turkey legs (8) for Memorial Day

Amish-raised heritage turkey breasts (2) for Independence Day

Amish-raised heritage turkey or turkey breasts (2) for Thanksgiving

Local Black Angus grass-fed beef roasts

may be substituted for turkey.

We also offer fresh locally-produced sausage.

click here for Black Angus beef selections

click here for an Options form

Fruit & Vegetable Availability

& Growing Season

Asparagus: May-June

Basil: June-September

Beans, bush: June-September

Beets: May, September-November

Broccoli: May, September-November

Cabbage: May, September-November

Cauliflower: September-November

Corn: July-September

Cucumbers: June-October

Collard Greens: September-November

Eggplant: July-September

Herbs: May-November

Kale: September-November

Leeks:July-August

Lettuce & Salad Greens: May

Mustard Greens: September-November

Okra: July-September

Onions: May-July, July-October

Onions, green: May-June, October-November

Peas, sugar: May-June

Peppers: June-October

Potatoes: September-November

Potatoes, sweet: September-November

Pumpkins: September-November

Radishes, red & white: May-June, September-November

Rhubarb: May

Spinach: May, September-November

Squash, summer: June-September

Squash, winter: September-November

Tomatoes: June-October

Tomatoes, cherry: July-October

Tomatoes, hothouse: May-June

Turnips: September-November

Turnip greens: September-November

Zucchini, green, yellow: June-October

Apples: several varieties, Summer-November

Blueberries: June-July

Blackberries: July-August

Black Currants: July

Cantaloupe: July-September

Cherries, sweet & sour: limited availability

Nectarines: July-September

Peaches: July-September

Pears: September-November

Plums: limited availability

Raspberries: limited availability

Strawberries: May-June

Grapes, table: September

limited availability: 2009 crop failure; we are hoping to have some in 2010

May-June: Tulips, Dutch Iris, Penstemon, & other perennials/annuals

June-July: Asiatic & Oriental Lilies, Sunflowers, & other perennials/annuals

July-frost: Sunflowers & other perennials/annuals

Other crops: for 2010

heirloom beans

Asian cucumbers

heirloom melons

gourmet zucchini, peppers, eggplant

and more tasty, delicious heirloom tomato varieties!

example of a weekly share

2010 CSA Membership Information

No CSA can guarantee against crop failure; but, we will make every effort to resolve issues that may arise in the course of the growing season, We are a premium CSA and although we cannot promise every item will be available, our network of farms, growers, and producers will satisfy weekly requirements.

Missed weeks: any and all missed spring/summer weeks must be made up prior to the start of the fall season. All missed weeks in the fall must be made up prior to or on the last day of the fall season.

If there are several members in your area or neighborhood, we can arrange a special drop-off/pick-up for your street. The more members in one area, the greater the chance of scheduling a pick-up location there. We encourage farm pick-ups and collective pick-ups to save time and fuel.

Crate rental fee: $25

There is a $25 charge for each plastic crate (fits one bushel of produce by volume). Each weekly share will be distributed in these crates and members must return their empty crate in exchange for a full crate each week. If the crate is not returned, there is an additional fee of $25 which must be paid before or at the time of the next pickup or two crates must be returned at the following pickup. This fee will be refunded with the return of all crates at the end of the season provided the crate is returned and undamaged. If the shareholder does not exchange their crate for any week of the season and is issued another crate, there is an additional $25 crate rental fee. If crate(s) are not returned by the member in a timely manner, shares will be distributed in plastic bags and the crate fee will not be returned. If multiple crates are not returned by the member, then a share will be withheld for each crate that is not returned and the share(s) cannot be made up. Members may choose to bring their own bags. Crate fees will be returned at the end of the season.

CSA Questions & Answers

What makes the Dragonfly Farms CSA different?

Dragonfly Farms offers a premium service CSA. We provide shareholder satisfaction with a wide variety of fresh, locally-produced fruits and vegetables. We draw from a network of local farmers and agricultural producers to provide wholesome, tasty, and minimally-processed food. Our CSA brings a wide range of food items closer to consumers who value their time and leisure.

Why do I have to pay in advance?

The following is indicative of some basic expenses that have to be paid 60-150 days before we harvest and deliver your weekly share: seed, fertilizer, irrigation, fuel, mulch, labor, utilities, taxes, packaging supplies, office supplies, delivery costs, licenses, permits, insurance, transportation costs. As a member of our CSA, you help share these costs. By becoming a shareholder in our 2010 CSA, you form a relationship with local farm producers, support sustainable farming, learn to cook and eat in-season, and help create a stable source of revenue for small agricultural producers.

What will my weekly share contain?

Typically, each share will consist of 7-14 different items. Please see our Availability List for the different items that may be available for that period. All fruits and vegetables are fresh picked and packed in our reusable crates. The quantity will vary during the season and we cannot determine how much members will eat. We can give examples of what we will provide. It is up to each member to decide if their share will be adequate for their family. We also offer additional shares for each of the items in our Premium CSA. Bread will be fresh baked the day/night of delivery. Eggs, cheese, and meats will be refrigerated and delivered fresh from the farm. Honey, coffee, and vinegar will be packed fresh direct from the producer.

Can I choose what will be in my share?

We can arrange substitutions when you sign up and we can make changes up until the time of delivery; but, we cannot guarantee the outcome of other crops with limited availability. We strive to provide our shareholders with not only quality and service but also the flexibility of our program to match their lifestyle.

What if I cannot pick-up my weekly share or miss a week?

Pick-ups are the responsibility of the shareholder. We will try to work with vacation and emergency situations. Please give us adequate advance notice if you will not be able to pick-up your weekly share. If you arrange for someone other than yourself to pick-up, you must notify us in advance. Please note that we pack the shares the day/night before and last minute changes may result in not having your crate available at the changed time or location. Members who change their pickup time to Saturday, must contact us Friday before 5pm so we will have a share available. Members who change their share to pickup on Wednesday, must contact us before 7am.

If you miss a week, you may arrange to receive an additional crate or bulk box fruit or veggies in another week. All missed weeks must be made up before the end of the season. Members who sign up for spring/summer shares must make up their missed week before the end of the summer. We cannot carryover any missed week/shares into the fall.

Can I signup for a half share?

We do not offer half shares and we cannot make half share arrangements. If the weekly share is too much for your family, we suggest you contact a friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor and make arrangements to split a share.

another example of a weeky share

What's a collective pick-up?

Members who are neighbors, friends, family, or co-workers who will voluntarily pick-up and distribute shares for their group. It's like a car pool for your weekly share; and, members can pick-up closer to their home or work at a more convenient time.

I love zucchini but I am running out of ways to cook it. What do you suggest?

We have a page devoted to recipes and recipe search engines. Members can go there for ideas on how to use up their weekly share.

My family does not eat much eggplant. Can I trade it for green beans? What about fruit substitutions?

Dragonfly Farms will work with each member to ensure they are satisfied with their weekly share. Substitutions for any of the weekly vegetables and fruit are permitted. Periodically, we will email updates on what items to expect. Members can also let us know in advance what they prefer, how much, and what they would like to exchange. We are committed to providing our members with a fulfilling CSA experience and direct access to fresh, wholesome, locally-produced food.

Drop-off/Pick-up Locations

Wednesday noon St Luke's Church 1514 15th Street NW Washington DC

Wednesday afternoon Columbia Home Depot 9051 Snowden River Parkway

Friday morning pick up at the Farm Mount Airy

Saturday morning Falls Church Farmers Market Falls Church, VA

Saturday morning St Luke's Church 1514 15th Street NW Washington DC

Saturday morning Foggy Bottom Grocery FoBoGro 2140 F st NW Washington DC

Saturday morning Capitol Hill Brent Elementary 301 N. Carolina SE Washington DC

Saturday morning Columbia Heights 1400 Park Road NW Washington DC

(opens June 5th, submit May dropoff location with application)

Saturday morning Arlington Key Elementary 2300 Key Blvd Arlington

Saturday morning Great Falls Colvin Run Road Great Falls