Backbone Food Farm
Western Maryland Community Supported Agriculture Info
Help Keep Family Farming Alive

Download PDF File of Our CSA Sign-Up Form
Sign-up By March 1st, Space is Limited

What is a Backbone Farm CSA?
|Located at the foot of Backbone Mountain in Pleasant Valley , MD, we are a small family farm holding on to the idea that small scale, independent agriculture, stewardship and diversity are not only ideas from the past. Entering our eleventh season as organic growers and our eighth year as a CSA we raise a large variety of vegetables, cut flowers and shiitake mushrooms. Contributing to our cycle of farm fertility are draft horses, Jersey cows, chickens and various other critters.

Getting it’s start in Europe and Japan over 30 years ago, CSA was introduced to the U.S. in 1986. The basic idea being a group of consumers or subscribers pledge their commitment to a farmer and farm, sometimes more than one, in exchange for a regular parcel of goods from the farm. For some it is just veggies, other CSA’s offer eggs, dairy products, fruit, meat or baked goods. Money is exchanged at the beginning of the season and the subscribers accept that they TAKE THE RISK WITH THE FARMER. In most arrangements, payment is non-refundable in the event of a crop ruining catastrophe. This holds true for shareholders in our CSA.

The CSA model fits into our society in several important ways. America’s family farmers are disappearing at an alarming rate and CSA is turning out to be a survival tactic for some. In return for supporting the small farmer, sustainable and often organic agriculture, the subscribers are rewarded with pure, quality produce ; real, fresh food. With numerous threats to our food supply including genetic engineering, heavy chemical inputs, hormones, antibiotics, and irradiation , CSA offers a sane alternative to produce that may have –among other things- up to 3000 miles logged before it reaches your table.

CSA also offers a chance for community development and a stronger local economy, giving folks a chance to get involved with each other and with the land.

What you can expect from us:
Each week beginning the first week of June we will bring what is ready from the garden to one of two drop off spots, the farm or Frostburg. The produce is presented in a farmer’s market type set up. There will be someone around to help you portion out your share of the veggies. The season will last right around 20 weeks, depending on the weather. We will try our hardest to overcome the many challenges that come in a season to give you a bountiful harvest. We will give you recipes and cooking tips and opportunities to come for pot luck picnics , farm tours, and other events. Please try to fit in a trip to the farm!

Our Share Program

Regular Share -  We recommend this size for a single person or a couple.  

Family Size– Plenty of veggies for everyone!  Just about twice the size of a regular share and the best value for the money.

Work Shares– a great way to save money and get involved with the CSA.  If you choose a work share then we’ll get in touch to schedule days for you to come out and put  in your hours on the farm. This option does not work for everyone, please call us first to discuss the details.  We take to work share as a serious commitment  and ask  really count on your hours for help. 

~ SHARE PRICES ~

Download PDF File of Our CSA Sign-Up Form
Sign-up By March 1st, Space is Limited

Regular share             $300

Family size share      $500

Work Share   please call or email to get details on work shares       

What is in a share ?

Your weekly share will vary greatly, with the season. The first shares of the season will be full of greens perhaps with some herbs and spring onions thrown in. As the season progresses you will find all kinds of goodies in your share representing all types of vegetables- the leaf, the root, the fruit and the flower.

The following is an approximate list of what we grow in a season and how much of that vegetable you can expect throughout the season. Quantities here are for a REGULAR SHARE and portions for a FAMILY SHARE should be doubled.

To see a sample share from mid summer check our This Week's Share page

basil -----1 lb.

string beans-----5 lbs.

beets-----4 bunches

boc choi---3

broccoli----4 heads

cabbage---4

carrots----6 bunches

cilantro----5 bunches

cucumbers----12

dill----4 bunches

eggplant----4

fennel----5

garlic----2 lbs.

kale----7 bunches

lettuce ----15 heads

onions----20-30

parsley----10 bunches

peas (shell, snow and sugar snap)----6 pints

peppers----10

potatoes----20 lbs.

pumpkins----2

radish----4 bunches

salad mix----5 lbs.

scallions----10 bu.

summer squash----15

swiss chard----8 bunches

tomatoes----12 lbs.

turnips----2 bunches

winter squash----6

zuchinni ----12

Pick up information

We have three pick up locations and times to choose from.

Wednesdays - pick up at the farm 4 miles south of Oakland,

10a.m.-12 noon OR 4- 6 p.m.

Thursdays- Thomas, WV 12 noon- 2 p.m.

Fridays- Frostburg, Main Street Books 9 a.m.-12 noon

Download PDF File of Our CSA Sign-Up Form
Sign-up By March 1st, Space is Limited