Picture a scenario where a bounty of freshly harvested produce, carefully selected and packaged just for you, awaits at your doorstep or a nearby pickup location. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, dream no longer, because this delightful reality is precisely what CSA programs offer!

CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) is a system where individuals or families purchase shares of a farm’s harvest in advance, receiving regular distributions of fresh produce throughout the growing season. These programs not only offer an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce but also play a crucial role in supporting local farmers. By joining a CSA, members directly contribute to the financial stability of farms, helping to carry the burden of unpredictable weather patterns, market fluctuations, and other challenges that farmers face. This symbiotic relationship fosters a sense of community resilience, as farmers and members work together to ensure a sustainable food system for generations to come.

Here in the Ann Arbor area, we have a plethora of CSA programs to choose from, each providing varying levels of commitment, convenient pickup locations, the ability to customize your share, and other benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned CSA aficionado or a curious newcomer, join us as we delve into the world of Community Supported Agriculture in the Ann Arbor area, where freshness, sustainability, and community converge.

 

Goetz Greenhouse & Farm | Riga

Goetz Greenhouse & Farm is a family farm and greenhouse in Riga growing 100% non-GMO vegetables naturally with sustainable methods. Their CSA program extends from June through October, but they are currently accepting sign-ups for the 2024 season! They offer both a full and a half share for CSA members. You’ll receive about a half bushel of produce every week for a full share and every other week for half shares. The exact volume varies with each season, and the size and bulkiness varies as well throughout the season, with a diverse selection of at least five items per week. Take advantage of the early bird pricing if you sign up before May 1 for a full share at $465 or a half share at $235. They offer several different convenient pickup locations, including the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, the Chelsea Farmers Market, and more. Get more information about Goetz’s CSA program and sign up here!

 

Argus Farm Stop | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Argus Farm Stop

Argus Farm Stop is “making it easier to purchase local goods and produce from your favorite local farmers.” At each of their three locations in Ann Arbor, you can purchase locally farmed foods year-round from more than 200 farms. The farmers own the produce, set the price and keep 70% of the sale, so you are directly supporting their efforts. Argus Farm Stop makes the process even easier by offering online orders, which can be picked up or delivered in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Plus, they have a year-round Weekly Produce Box, which is carefully curated with 6-9 seasonal produce items. You can sign up for their boxes like you would any subscription, and you even have the option to skip a week if you know you’ll be out of town. Argus Farm Stop also offers a Local Cuts Club, which is a monthly curation of locally, lovingly raised meats with two size options to match your needs, and a seasonal flower subscription from May to October! Click here to sign up for the weekly produce box, which has several different pick-up and delivery options.

 

Tantré Farm | Chelsea

Tantré Farm in Chelsea has opened registration for their popular Summer CSA program, which is an 18-week share from June through September. Each week, you’ll receive a collection of fresh, nutritious produce in a ¾ bushel box stored in a cooler as soon as it is packed on Tuesday and Friday mornings. You can expect anywhere from 8-10 items in the first few weeks, depending on what is seasonally available. And as the season progresses, you might get anywhere from 8-16 items, from salad greens to cooking greens, root vegetables to fruiting vegetables, a few herbs, and more. Tantre Farm offers 12 pick-up options in the area, including the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, Chelsea Farmers’ Market, Argus Farm Stop, Washtenaw Food Hub, and more. Click here for more information about their Summer CSA. They also provide an Immune Booster CSA, an Extended Fall CSA, and a Thanksgiving CSA!

 

Fusilier Family Farms | Manchester

Photo Courtesy of Fusilier Family Farms

Fusilier Family Farms is a 250-acre family farm near Manchester that has been passed down through generations. They are the perfect mix of old-school wisdom and new-school hustle, growing quality fruits, vegetables and flowers with precision and care. Their CSA members receive one basket of fresh, seasonal produce from June through October. While they cannot control the weather and some items may not be as abundant as expected, other items will take its place to make sure the basket is full every week! And something that sets them apart from other CSA programs is that they allow members to have a somewhat customizable basket of produce, as they can select produce they will actually use. Sign up and choose from the handful of pick-up locations, including the Northville Market, Farmington Market, Brighton Market, Birmingham Market, Chelsea Store, or the Manchester Store.

 

Kapnick Orchards | Britton

Kapnick Orchards is a family-owned orchard in Britton that is open year-round with a variety of products and activities for every season. Since Kapnick Orchards opened in 1958, it has expanded into a larger production with a variety of fruits and vegetables, baked goods, apple cider, homemade fudge, jams, candies and nuts, and more. It is the place to be during the fall — and during the summer months, they offer a Fruit CSA, which includes both a small and large share, depending on how much produce you want. Their CSA extends from June to September, and you can choose to pick your share up at various locations and dates throughout the week — whatever is most convenient for your schedule!

 

Blue Spring Farm | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Blue Spring Farm

Blue Spring Farm is a small family-run farm growing fresh, organic vegetables, flowers, fruit and eggs. They have a robust CSA program, with a variety of options depending on how much produce you want and when you want it. They have an early season CSA with seven weekly pick-ups from mid-May through the end of June, a mid-season CSA with seven weekly pickups from July through mid-August, and a late season CSA with seven weekly pickups from mid-August through early October. They also offer a full share for fresh produce all season long and a half share for pickups every other week throughout the season. You can also add on a flower bouquet or free-range, organic eggs for seven of the weeks! The options are endless with Blue Spring Farms. Click here to learn more about their variety of CSA options and sign up for the 2024 season.

 

Old City Acres | Ypsilanti

Old City Acres in Ypsilanti is dedicated to providing convenient access to local fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey and more year-round. They do this through their Flex-CSA system, which includes weekly online ordering and free community delivery. You’ll get the best of both worlds: the freshness and diversity of the farmers’ market with the convenience and ease of online ordering and free delivery. Each Sunday, members will receive their local food newsletter email, which shows what is available fresh from their community of local partners. You’ll then choose exactly what fruits, vegetables and local goods you want and your produce is harvested and delivered to your local community pickup location for free! You can pick up your order at a variety of places in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit — click here to see them all and learn more about Old City Acres’ Flex-CSA program.

 

Country Valley Farm | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Country Valley Farm

Country Valley Farm is a small, certified organic, family farm located on the northeastern edge of Ann Arbor. Established in November 2017, this relatively new farm follows age-old, traditional regenerative agriculture practices. They are deeply committed to sustainable agriculture, encouraging a great diversity of wildlife and nature on their farm. Their CSA includes a weekly box of produce containing a diverse range of peak-season items varying throughout the season. Sign up for a small share (1-2 people) for $33/week, a medium share (2-4 people) for $46.50/week, or a large share (3-6 people) for $60/week. Or consider the friends, family and neighbor share, which is meant to be shared amongst several households, for $114/week. All pricing includes the delivery charge! And you have the option to choose a 10-week, 20-week or 30-week membership. Click here for more information, including where Country Valley Farm delivers throughout the Ann Arbor area.

 

Crated Earth Farm | Willis

Crated Earth Farm is a small farm located in Willis, just south of Ypsilanti. This Certified Naturally Grown farm strives for a natural and sustainable approach in all their farming methods, as they grow non-GMO produce without the use of any pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. Their CSA program includes both a full share for $500, which is ideal for a family of 4-6, and a smaller half-share for $300, which is perfect for 2-3 people. Depending on weather and other conditions, they usually begin harvesting in June and continue through the first frost in October. The season typically lasts around 20 weeks, which breaks down to about $25 per week! You can pick up your share at the Belleville Farmers’ Market on Mondays from 4–7:30 p.m. or the Plymouth Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

 

Good Neighbor Farm | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Good Neighbor Farm

Good Neighbor Farm understands that “in order to make a living off of the land, we need to treat the land right.” That’s why they follow organic practices and a minimal-tillage method — and they are a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Certified Farm. They share their bounty at local farmers’ markets, local restaurants, Argus Farm Stop, and through their CSA program. They offer both a Winter Spinach CSA and a Summer & Fall CSA. Customers pay either up front or week to week at a discounted rate to receive a weekly share of the farm’s produce for a certain amount of time. Shares range in size and cost to meet your specific needs! Click here to shop their share subscriptions.

 

Community Farm of Ann Arbor | Chelsea

The Community Farm of Ann Arbor is “a producer that continues to recognize the power of not only nutrient-dense, clean food, but also the spiritual and sacred aspect of a farm community.” Their members are the decision-makers of the farm — and they are currently accepting new members (as well as a new part-time farmer) for the 2024 season! Members of their CSA program will receive a share of the produce grown by the farm during the growing season, which is often a weekly distribution of fruits and vegetables — and sometimes eggs, meat, milk, etc. Click here to learn more about the Community Farm of Ann Arbor’s CSA program!

 

Jacob’s Fresh Farm | Dexter

Photo Courtesy of Jacob’s Fresh Farm

Jacob’s Fresh Farm is a 40-acre all-natural farm in Dexter utilizing half their land for growing a variety of produce. 10 acres are dedicated to you-pick strawberries, lavender, sunflowers, and pumpkins, and the remaining land is a serene pollinator habitat encompassing wetlands. During the harvest season, their CSA members receive weekly or biweekly boxes of fresh seasonal produce from the farm, including everything from arugula to zucchini. Produce varies with each box, but they try to ensure you have 1-2 salad greens, 1-2 cooking greens such as kale, chard, or bok choy, 1-2 root crops such as potatoes, carrots or onions, and 2-3 seasonal crops such as tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, peppers or eggplant. Jacob’s Fresh Farm offers a variety of CSA shares, including a spring CSA, a summer CSA, a fall CSA, a Thanksgiving CSA, and a holiday CSA! Learn more about their robust CSA program here.

 

The Farm at Trinity Health Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor

The Farm at Trinity Health is one of the first hospital-based farms in the nation — and it’s right here in Ann Arbor! They are focused on “growing a healthy community by empowering people through food, education, and relationships” and believe that food is medicine. They offer a weekly and biweekly produce box containing 6-8 items sourced from more than 20 local farms. You can register for the full season lasting 36 weeks or choose the spring, summer or fall season for 12 weeks of fresh produce goodness. Click here to learn more about the Farm at Trinity Health’s farm share program! Pickup is available in person on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. at The Food Hub in Ypsilanti or any time from noon on Wednesdays through Sunday nights from the self-serve cooler.

 

Slow Farm | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Slow Farm

Slow Farm is a woman-owned biodiverse and USDA certified organic you-pick and CSA farm with an on-site farmstand 3 miles north of Ann Arbor. They provide the community with heirloom produce, flowers, and a hands-on experience of socially and ecologically minded growing. The Slow Farm CSA has several options to choose from, including a 24-week CSA, and 8-week spring, summer and fall options. You can expect a variety of items, like asparagus, heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers, beans, cucumbers, greens, carrots, basil, and more! Each Saturday, members pick up a grocery bag of their produce at the Slow Farm farmstand from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Plus, at pickup, you can often grab a few extra items or swap out something you’d like instead!

 

Wild Apple Farms | Dexter

Wild Apple Farms in Dexter aims “to grow and share fresh, healthy, life- and health-enhancing produce, fruits, and foods, lost arts and skills.” They do this in a number of ways, including their Saturday Market, farm store, classes, locavore restaurants, and their CSA program. Wild Apple Farms offers a variety of share options, including a full 20-week share with an ample amount of produce ideal for two adults with extra to spare, a slow-living home share with less produce and an emphasis on home goods, an egg half or full share, a bee care share, an autumn bundle, a winter bundle, a Thanksgiving bundle, and a solstice bundle! Click here to learn more about each of these options and to sign up for the share that works best for you and your lifestyle.

 

Happy Harvest Season!

What CSA program do you love in the Ann Arbor area? Let us know in the comments below!