Provident Organic Farm

Welcome to Provident Organic Farm of Bivalve, Maryland. Farmer Jay Martin, an organic grower with over 20 years of organic farming experience, oversees Provident Organic Farm, which serves over 100 families on the lower eastern shore with a weekly basket of fresh, locally grown produce. We offer a 28-week season starting May 17, 2004 and ending November 20, 2004. We are currently enrolling members for the 2004 season. Click here to join Provident Organic Farm.

Provident Organic Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture farm or CSA. In our CSA, members pay before the season begins so that farmer Jay Martin may use it for expenses related to growing the produce for the CSA. In exchange, as the harvest comes in, Jay supplies each household with a weekly supply of fresh, organically grown produce. The farmer uses all of his knowledge and skill to grow healthy, delicious organically grown vegetables, using sustainable agricultural practices, and members enjoy the bounty.

Shared Risks/Shared Rewards

Our members share with Jay the risks of farming (late frost, drought, wind, pests and excessive rain). The variety and quantity of produce also fluctuates with the season. For example, strawberries ripen in late spring, so you would not expect them in your share in August. Tomatoes are harvested in the warmth of summer, so they would not show up in your share in late fall. In the first few weeks of the season a share can be a bit sparse, but by summer, shares are typically abundant. Remember the CSA provides in-season, locally-grown produce, so the amount in the weekly share will vary based on these realities. Jay does his best to bring members a beautiful, bountiful share of healthy, organically grown produce each week. Like buying stock, however, members are not guaranteed a return. Since nature provides no guarantees, neither can the CSA.

In addition to delicious food, members enjoy being part of a community that desire a safe, sustainable and just food system for our region. Our dream is to go beyond this farmer-consumer model and include educational demonstrations for school children and training programs for underserved members of our community. We ultimately envision a CSA as a way to build community around the most essential, unifying force in our lives: FOOD.

How It Works

Provident Organic Farm offers choices that hopefully meet the needs of all of our members. We offer two types of shares—a working and a non-working share. A working share involves volunteering on the farm to help harvest the produce. In return, the volunteers receive a discount on their share price.

During the season, members pick up their produce once a week at a convenient designated point, usually a member's home or at the farm. If a member is unable to pick up their share (i.e. vacation), members may offer their share to a friend or donate it to someone in need. With each share comes a newsletter with a list of the week’s produce, notes from Jay about the week's happenings on the farm, recipes, post harvest handling tips and other valuable information. All members are invited to monthly meetings to share ideas and participate in the success of Provident Organic Farm CSA.

We do not offer split shares. It is simply too difficult to package and distribute partial shares. However, members may choose on their own to partner with another family or individual.

Costs and Payment

When you sign up, you commit yourself to being a CSA member for the entire season. There are two types of shares: A Working Share and A Non-Working Share.

A working share is $475.

A non-working share is $575.

A $75 non-refundable deposit along with your membership form is required to confirm your membership. Membership is available on a first come first serve basis.

You have two payment options.

1) Full Payment--A $75 deposit will confirm your membership. The remaining balance is due by April 1, 2004.

2) Payment Plan

· By January 31, 2005--$75 deposit

· February 1, 2005--$100

· March 1, 2005--$100

· April 1, 2005--$100 (working share) $150 (non-working)

· May 1, 2005--$100 (working share) $150 (non-working)

We do accept Visa, Master Card or American Express. There is a 5% additional handling fee associated with payment by credit card.

Pick up Locations

There are four distribution points for the CSA.

* Near Salisbury University--Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at 206 Kay Avenue (just south of Salisbury University). This is the home of Adrienne and Lew Kadushin.

* At the Farm--Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Provident Organic Farm.

* Central Salisbury--Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at 924 N. Division (just North of downtown Salisbury). This is the home of Susan Brazer and Scott Pegg.

* Berlin--Fridays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Berlin Farmer's Market.

* Easton — Farmers’ Market on Saturdays (405 S. Washington Street on Tuesdays)

Working Shares

A working share involves volunteering on the farm to help harvest the food. Volunteers must help with at least 10 harvests with a minimum of 3 hours per harvest. Harvest days and times are Tuesday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings. At the beginning of the season, volunteers work out a schedule with our volunteer coordinator. There are other tasks members may perform for a working share, but this must be pre-approved on case-by-case basis.

Join Provident Organic Farm

To join Provident Organic Farm, members must complete the Membership Form. You may participate in our payment plan or pay in full. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.