Appleton Farms is 1000-acre property, managed by The Trustees of Reservations, a Massachusetts nonprofit land conservation organization. Besides vegetable fields for a 500 share CSA, the farm also includes hayfields, woods, wetlands, livestock, and a grass-based dairy herd. The farm is convenient to several towns, to beautiful beaches, and to the Boston commuter rail.
CSA Information & Listings
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.
This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.
CSA reflects an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local consumers; develop a regional food supply and strong local economy; maintain a sense of community; encourage land stewardship; and honor the knowledge and experience of growers and producers working with small to medium farms. CSA is a unique model of local agriculture that has developed from many different influences. More than 30 years ago in Japan, a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the farmers' face on food." A similar community farming approach has been successful in Europe. A variation of this concept traveled from Europe to the U.S. via the biodynamic community. This method was adapted locally and given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985. There are now over 1000 CSA farms across the US and Canada.
CSA Farm Listing
Atlas Farm is dedicated to producing fresh, high-quality, certified organic produce. Beyond the word "organic", our farm is committed to producing food in a way that will maintain biological diversity, support natural ecosystems, and keep the land productive for future generations. Our Full Season Share runs from June 4th to November 22nd (25 weeks). Shares are available for pick-up on the farm weekly on either Tuesdays from 3-7 or Saturdays from 10-2. Shares are made up of a variety of seasonal produce (8-14 different items at each pick-up), and come in two sizes. A large share will provide produce for 3-4 adults (roughly two large shopping bags or produce per week) and the small share is roughly half the size. Members will also have access to a U-pick garden and a farm store stocked with local products from neighboring farms and businesses. We also offer a Winter Share that runs from December through March, with an on-farm pick-up every other week. Winter Shares consist of a variety of storage crops such as winter squash, carrots, potatoes, leeks, onions, and beets as well as a selection of greenhouse crops such as kale and salad greens.
Gideon Porth
Our “Neighborhood Supported Agriculture” offers customers a bag of mixed veggies, fruit and flowers every week for $20. Come every Saturday after 12 pm or Monday afternoons to pickup your bag, walk around the grounds and have a cup of coffee with us.
Ervin and Gloria
Get real-time updates from the field on emerging pests, upcoming meetings, and extension projects on our Facebook page!
