Brief History of Kimberton CSA The first in Pennsylvania

Kimberton CSA is a ten acre biodynamic/organic mixed vegetable market garden going into its 30th year. The
first CSA in Pennsylvania, this garden was started in 1987 by interested members of the community, Kimberton
Waldorf School, and Barbara & Kerry Sullivan (the farmers) looking for ways of doing business that would best
support the local community and local agriculture and provide for the needs of everyone involved, including
those of our environment. Along with the members support, the Sullivans invested a significant amount of
their own capital to start the CSA garden and lease land from the school. Although initially conceived of as
more of a Co-op in nature, the CSA was set up as a simple sole-proprietorship. This put the responsibility for
the CSA on the shoulders of the Sullivans. After 15 years of service, the Sullivans sold all the moveable assets
of the business to Birgit Landowne who had worked as an intern at Kimberton CSA for two prior years. Since
2002 Birgit & her husband Erik have continued where the Sullivans left off. The farm currently provides fresh
vegetables for approximately 250 households. This arrangement has worked so well that today there are over
1500 CSAs in the country and dozens in South/East PA alone. Kimberton CSA continues to be the flagship
CSA in the area, providing members a direct link to the farm and a consistent high quality seasonal harvest.
THE LAND: A Special Place: Organic since the 1930s
The CSA garden is 10 acres of silt loam soil, leased by the Landownes from the Kimberton Waldorf School,
and is located at 415 W. Seven Stars Road in the town of Kimberton, 19442 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
It is certified Biodynamic and Organic by Demeter USA.
Kimberton Waldorf School owns approximately 400 acres. This land has been in agriculture since at least
William Penns time. We have found arrowheads from Native Americans on the land as well. The land was
first converted to biodynamic agricultural practices in the 1930s when Ehrenfried Pfeiffer came over from
Germany to help implement the agricultural teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Prior to the start of the CSA garden,
the 10 acre parcel was part of the biodynamic/organic dairy farm previously known as Kimberton Farms.
Today ten acres are leased to Birgit & Erik Landowne dba Kimberton CSA, while most of the remaining land is
leased to Seven Stars Farm Inc., a biodynamic/organic dairy which produces the popular and tasty Seven Stars
Organic Yogurt, and from whom we receive the cow manure for our compost, the basis of our fertility. Nearby
French Creek, blessed with an exceptional water quality rating by the US Geological Service, supplies us with a
steady source of irrigation water.

What does Biodynamic mean? How is it different from Organic?

The CSA garden is farmed biodynamically. This means that, in addition to following the rules set forth for
organic certification and avoiding the use of toxic chemicals for fertility, weed, and pest control, (some
allowable organic pest controls are used, please ask us we are happy to explain organic pesticides to you),
specific Biodynamic methods and careful stewardship of the land are practiced to ensure the long-term health of
the farms soil, plants, and animals. Rather than merely avoiding, as much as possible, practices that are
harmful to the environment, biodynamic agriculture aims to revitalize the earth through the use of special sprays
and composts that are prepared using homeopathic herbal remedies. The aim is to allow for a better flow of the
energy that is radiating from the cosmos (Sun, moon, and stars) through the earth and guide it into the plant thus
maximizing its vitality and in turn that of those who consume the plant. You are what you eat.

THE GARDEN CREW: Who does all the work?

Birgit & Erik Landowne are the full-time permanent gardeners. Four interns work with us from April through
November. They are guided by our farm manager. These interns receive a place to live, food from the garden,
and a small stipend in exchange for a season of very hard work. In the bargain they begin to learn the skills and
gain the experience necessary to succeed in their own farming endeavors in the future. Although not easy, this
continues to be one of the best ways to provide training for a new generation of alternative farmers.
THE MEMBERS: Can anyone join?
The CSA offers up to 200 shares to the local community. Most of our members live in the local area; however
there are some from outlying cities such as Reading and Philadelphia who make the trip each week for their
veggies. Also 55 shares go to a yoga peace ashram in DC, who are committed to supporting farmers directly
and to food that carries as much vital energy as possible. They have formed a CSA group and a driver comes
out once a week.
THE CORE GROUP: Community outreach
The communitys ways of working together continue to evolve according to the wishes, interests,
understanding, and energy of the members. Every member is welcome to join the CSA Core Group. This group
fluctuates in numbers and in frequency of meetings, according to the needs of the CSA, and the interests of the
current members. The Core Group is responsible for organizing community building events among the
membership. In past years, the core group has organized educational programs, workshops, and festivals. If
you have ideas for community events, check out a core group meeting.
VOLUNTEERS/WORKSHARES: Lend a hand
Anyone is welcome to lend a hand on the farm for as much or as little time as you wish, on as regular or
irregular a schedule as you wish. Just come find the garden crew, and well put you straight to work. No need
to make prior arrangements.
For those willing to make a commitment, we offer a chance for anyone to reduce their financial obligation to the
CSA by coming out on a harvest morning (7am-12pm) and helping us for five hours to bring in the harvest. We
will refund that weeks share cost to you at the end of the day.
THE HARVEST YEAR: At Mother Natures discretion
Harvests normally begin the end of May (were aiming for Tuesday May 24th and Friday May 27th ); and we
usually have our last distribution day the week before the week of Thanksgiving (November 15th and 18th);
approximately 26 weeks in all.
Following is the list of crops that we expect to grow in 2016 and the approximate time of year that they are
available. Please be aware that this is a list of what we intend to grow this year. The gardeners will do their
best to plant and harvest as much as they can, but the vagaries of weather will undoubtedly change some plans,
as always. Every year brings shortages of some crops and windfalls of others, so we should all try to remain
flexible and receive graciously whatever Nature and the coming year will provide.

SPRING
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Cilantro
Cucumbers
Dill
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Marjoram
Parsley
Peas
Radish
Strawberries
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Zucchini

SUMMER
Basil
Beans (green)
Beets
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Celery
Cilantro
Cucumbers
Dill
Eggplant
Fennel
Flowers
Garlic
Leeks
Lettuce
Marjoram
Onions
Parsley
Peppers
Hot Peppers
Raspberries
Summer squash
Sunflowers
Swiss Chard
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Sauce Tomato
Zucchini

FALL
Arugula
Beets
Bok Choi
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cilantro
Collards
Dill
Flowers
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Asian greens
Onions
Parsley
Peppers
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Winter squash

Partial Share: I am a single person. What if a full share is too much?

Partial shares pick up a full share of produce every other week. You can still participate in the U-pic items
during your pickup week. Please be aware of any weekly limits that may be posted. You will miss out on some
crops as they only have a two or three week harvest window.

Sharing a Share:
Sharing a share is allowed between two parties, however with certain restrictions that must be honored for this
to work. As an example: If two single people decide to split a share, both cannot come to the farm in the same
week unless they carpool. Otherwise one person picks up and you must do the splitting up of the share off-site.
We can not handle the extra traffic that would occur if both parties meet at the CSA in separate vehicles or
come independently from each other. One option is to alternate which one of you picks up from week to week.
Just make sure you sign in so we know whose who. There is a $50/person surcharge for sharing a share. The
person picking up has access to U-pic during their week.

Share Pricing:
Full Share ($35/week) $910/season. This is the most common option and is generally enough for two
adult vegetarians or an average family of four. You come to the garden once a week for your share and any
time during the week for U-pick crops.

Partial Share ($38/bi-weekly) $500/season. This is for folks who want to participate in the CSA but
cant utilize a full share every week. It requires picking up a full shares worth of vegetables every other week
and allows access to U-pic crops during your week. Partial shares may not be shared or split further.

Shared Share ($19/wk/party) $1000/season This feature is for singles or couples for whom a full share
may be too much but still want the freshness of a weekly pickup and would like to share with someone else.
Sharing is limited to two households. You can not split a share with three or more separate people. Both
parties have access to the U-pick crops, but on alternate weeks. Because of logistics, either one party picks up
and you share off-site, or you can carpool to the CSA. Please do not come independently or at different times
for the same pickup day. You can access U-pic crops throughout your week.

Payment Options:

Full payment at sign-up. A majority of our costs are at the beginning of the season when we need to
pay for seed, mulch, compost, fuel, supplies, etc. If you are able to pay in full please do so.

Two Equal Payments - Write two checks, one for Jan. 1st and the other postdated for June 1st.

Ten Monthly Payments There is a $1 per check administrative fee. Please add that to the share
price. Divide the share price by ten months starting with Jan. 1st up to and including October 1st. Then
write all your checks postdated for the first of each month Jan 1st through Oct. 1st. We will keep them on
file and deposit them at the appropriate date. Please note the administrative surcharge.

Please feel free to contact us if anything seems unclear or if you have further questions. Thanks
Email: kimbertoncsa@gmail.com or farmers@kimbertoncsa.com Phone: 610-933-8339