Community Supported Agriculture

As of Dec. 1, 2024, we will be accepting membership applications for the Summer 2025 CSA. Click HERE for application form.

What's a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

Nourse Farm community members buy into the farm’s production at the start of the growing season and in exchange receive a share of the farm’s harvest. A share holder comes to the farm once a week and choose harvest products from weekly produce.  At Nourse Farm we offer a subscription CSA where members shop farmer's market style, rather than pick-up a prepared box, bin or bag. We do the work (planting, weeding, harvesting) and you do the eating. The CSA is just one way that we market our products at the farm.

Every week, CSA members can choose among the available fruits and vegetables. While the exact produce choices will depend on the month, customers are assured a rich and healthy variety that will liven up weekly meals and snacks. For a some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs) please click Nourse Farm CSA FAQs!       

How We Grow  Most of Nourse Farm’s produce is naturally grown; however, for a few crops that is not feasible. For these particular crops we use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. That means we utilize many strategies to avoid or solve a pest problem. In this program we scout the fields for insects and disease, we seek protection with beneficial insects and biological controls, we use disease resistant varieties, and bug-excluding row covers. If the problem reaches the economic injury level, where the pest problem would cause enough damage for us to lose money, then we use the safest pesticides. The farm soil is kept alive and fertile by plowing down soil building cover crops, compost, lime, and commercial fertilizer.

The Risks of a CSA Membership   CSA members share the risks and rewards of the growing season. In the last few years we’ve been through both extremely wet and dry years, and we had abundant harvests and happy customers. Of course, major weather related catastrophes could really set us back. Each year, certain crops do better than others. We overcome the variability of the weather by planting multiple plantings of different varieties of dozens of crops. We have 3 different soil types that behave differently in different weather conditions, and we are able to irrigate our fields, allowing us to have an approximately 20 week growing season beginning in June and ending in October.
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All CSA Members must be aware that the weather, over which we have no control, plays a major part in our production. Therefore, we may not have available, at all times, the vegetables and/or fruit on the distribution list. We will substitute appropriate fruits and/or vegetables accordingly. Each CSA Member must realize that our farm and its staff will work as hard as possible to meet your expectations. Your investment as a CSA Member will provide for your family the freshest fruits and vegetables during our growing season, while at the same time, your investment will support local family farming, allowing us to survive and grow in our changing economy.

Starting December 1, 2024, we will be accpting applications for the Summer 2025 CSA program. Click HERE for application form:

The Nourse Farm Family Share (30 points) is suitable for two to four people who eat vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. It is worth at least $30 per week. Summer 20- week price, $600 (30 points).

The Nourse Farm Two-Person Share (22.5 points) is designed for folks who eat vegetables a few evenings a week. This share is worth at least $22.50 per week. Summer 20-week Price, $475. (22.5 points)

The Nourse Farm Individual Share (15 points) offers a more convenient option for those want less vegetables (and overall food) each week. Summer 20-week Price, $325. (15 points)

Pickup:
Summer Shareholders can pick up Thurs and Fri from 2:00 to 6:00 PM and Sat from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Fall Shareholders can pickup inside the farm store on Th/F 1-5; Saturdays 10-1. If you are away, share the wealth, plan on having a friend or family member pick up your share.  

Payment Options:  Please include full payment with your application (check preferred). We are trying to reduce credit card fees, but if you wish to use a credit card, indicate that on the application. We can process over the phone or directly from the card information on the application. We accept American Express, Master Card, Discover or Visa.  

Print and Email Application:  Please email completed applications to Jon Nourse at jwnourse@aol.com, or mail to Nourse Farm, 70 Nourse Street. Westborough, MA 01581.