2017Shareholder Handbook

Ipswich, Massachusetts

Community Supported Agriculture

APPLETON FARMS

A PROPERTY OF THE TRUSTEES

This handbook will answer questions you, as a new shareholder, may have about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) at Appleton Farms. We hope it will help make your experiences at Appleton Farms easy, fun, and rewarding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

All About Your Share 2–3

Picking Up Your Share 4

Where to Park 5

Pick Your Own 6

On the Farm 7–8

What We Grow 9

Who’s Who 10

The Trustees 11

Contacts 12

APPLETON FARMSWelcome to

About Your ShareThe guide below covers the basics of Appleton Farms CSA membership. By joining the Appleton Farms CSA, members agree to follow the procedures and policies outlined here as well as to respect the farm property and all Appleton Farms employees. Failure to do so can result in a temporary or permanent revocation of CSA privileges. CSA members are responsible to familiarize themselves with the procedures and policies herein.

CSA DISTRIBUTION HOURSMembers are invited to pick up their share on ANY of our four available pickup days - we have changed to a flexible-day system. You cannot come more than once per week (it's still a weekly pickup!) but the choice of day is up to you. No need to let us know when you're coming or if you need to switch days - come any of the 4 days we're open. Hours are:

Mondays 2–7pm

Tuesdays | 12pm –5pm

Thursdays | 2–7pm

Fridays | 12pm –5pm

Most shareholders require at least 15 minutes to “shop” for a CSA share. Please allow yourself adequate time to gather your share items before the end of CSA hours. Barn doors will be closed and vegetables will be put away promptly at closing time to allow sleepy farmers to spend more time with their families.

If you know in advance that you will not be able to pick up your share at anytime during a given week, you may arrange for a friend or family member to pick up your share in your place. A CSA shareholder may not pick up more than one share per week even if the previous week’s share was not picked up.

We will be open on holidays that fall on distribution days (July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day).

MIX-AND-MATCH PICK UPWe use a mix-and-match, volume -based distribution system – produce is laid out on tables in the barn, and you are welcome to fill your bag as you please. This year we are providing our own canvas tote bags to all shareholders –

please use these to pick up your share each week. Look for signs explaining what to do, as instructions will change weekly depending on the harvest. Some crops will be limited, depending on the demand, the season, and the harvest. We will do our best to clearly communicate those limits and try our best to share equally amongst the whole CSA. We rely on the honor system to ensure that everyone gets a fair share.

NEWSLETTER & BLOGBe sure to read the CSA newsletter, posted weekly on our blog at appleton-farms.blogspot.com. You can sign up to receive email notification of new blog posts. The newsletter contains information on weekly share contents, notes from the field, recipes, and veggie descriptions. Also check out the chalkboards in the barn for information on upcoming events at the farm.

SHARING A SHAREOne share is designated to one household, which receives all CSA mailings and is responsible for payment. If the share is consistently too large for your household, you can fill your bag only partially, knowing that we donate the daily surplus to local food pantries. You can also share with a friend once you get the produce home. You can send someone else to the farm pick-up in your place, but, due to our limited parking and staff resources, we require that each weekly pick-up occur using one car on one visit per share. Also, each share must leave the barn distribution intact – we can’t allow “half” share bags or partial pick-ups (unless you are donating the remainder of your share to our food pantry part-ners).

FARM PARTNERSHIPSAppleton Farms is part of a community of both consumers and other local pro-ducers. We sometimes cooperate with other farms in the area to supplement our CSA share. The majority of the produce shareholders will have to choose from each week will be grown at Appleton by the Appleton farmers. If some-thing in the share comes from another local farm it will be specified in the blog ahead of time with a link to the farm’s website and it will also be clearly labeled in the share distribution room. These other producers are people we trust and know, including Appleton farmers of years past. They have the same standards we do and the same dedication to quality and land stewardship.

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Picking Up Your Share

WHAT TO BRINGIn an effort to reduce unnecessary costs and waste, this year we are providing all shareholders with a canvas bag for the season – please bring these each week to the farm for your pickup. Extra paper bags will be available if needed, but we encourage you to bring the reusable bag with you! You may wish to bring scissors for cutting flowers and herbs, a water container to keep these fresh on hot days, and a basket or bucket for other Pick-Your-Own crops. There is also a porta-potty at the barn.

Feel free to bring a picnic and friends, and spend time relaxing at the farm.

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Where to ParkEnter through the drive on County Road/Route 1A, just north of the Ipswich/Hamilton line. Bikes, cars, and pedestrians are all welcome. Proceed slowly until you reach the fork in the road, and then go left toward the Farm Store and big hay barn with green doors. Park in the sandy lot in front of the barn. Please avoid parking along the road.

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On the Farm

ANIMALS ON THE FARMAll farm animals should be approached with caution. The fences may be electric – remain on the outside of fences and do not touch the animals.

Dogs and other pets are not permitted at the CSA, to protect livestock and crop fields and for food safety reasons. Dogs are permitted in the Grass Rides portion of the farm. Parking is off Highland Street.

VISITING WITH YOUR KIDSChildren are always welcome on the farm. We want children to be able to explore and experience the farm freely, but please note that this is a working farm, and it can be dangerous. For the safety of your children, we must ask that parents supervise their children at all times. Keep an eye on them while they are playing inside or outside the barn, do not allow them to climb on tractors or farm equip-ment unless there are signs indicating that it is allowed, and keep them on the proper paths when picking in the fields. We ask that parents teach their children about electric fencing and how to behave around farm animals.

Pick Your Own

HOW TO PICK YOUR OWNOnce a week, a shareholder may harvest Pick-Your-Own (PYO) crops without the assistance of our staff. These crops can be picked during regular share pick-up hours. Each share may use the PYO garden once a week. PYO crops that are ripe for harvest are listed on a chalkboard in the barn – be sure to note quantity limits and instructions before you pick. Those who share their shares should keep in mind that limits are listed on a per-share basis. We ask that you not pick during rainstorms, as this helps keep plants free of disease. Please assist and guide your children in how to pick carefully. The PYO gate will be closed promptly at the end of share room hours. Please allow enough time to complete your PYO before the share room closes. Listed below are some sug-gestions for proper picking:

Peas and snap beans | Hold the stem of the plant with one hand and snap the pod off with the other.

Plum and cherry tomatoes | Grasp the tomato and pull gently off the plant.

Tomatillos |Pull off once the fruit has filled up its husk. Check the ground for ripe fruits that have fallen.

Flowers |Cut stems with scissors. Tearing may pull the entire plant from the ground.

Herbs | Cut outer leaves / branches with scissors. Please do not cut into the woody section of the plant, as this will inhibit future growth.

Strawberries | Look for fruits that are fully red, and pull without squeezing. Take care to avoid stepping on the plants.

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Dairy

Appleton Farms operates a 38-cow, grass-based dairy, continuing a centuries-old tradition at Appleton Farms. The herd consists of registered Jerseys, cho-sen for their high-quality milk suitable for producing farmstead dairy products, which our crew milks twice daily. When the cows aren’t in the barn for milking, in winter you’ll find them around the loafing shed and during the growing sea-son they are out on pasture.

DAIRY PRODUCTS & FARM STOREWe completed our on-site dairy processing plant and we are now making cheese. We bottle milk (skim, 1%, and whole) at a local bottling facility and sell it in the Farm Store on the farm. All of our farmstead dairy products are for sale in our Farm Store next to the share room. You’ll also find our beef and maple syrup, as well as a nice selection of other locally sources products like ice cream, honey, bread, artisan crafts, and artwork. The Farm Store is open seven days a week, Monday – Friday | 11am–6pm, Saturday & Sunday | 10am– 4pm.

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What We GrowThese are the typical crops we offer that you will see in the share room. Of course, each growing season is different and brings unique challenges, with pests, diseases, and weather! But this is what we have planned for:

CROPSGreen beans, wax beans, purple beans, beets, broccoli, green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage, Savoy cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, eggplant, Asian eggplant, flowers, garlic, garlic scapes, arugula, mizuna, bok choi, kale, Swiss chard, radishes, kohlrabi, basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, thyme, fennel, leeks, head lettuce, salad mix, red onions, yellow onions, sweet white onions, shallots, scallions, parsnips, turnips, celeriac, sweet peppers, hot peppers, snap peas, shelling peas, snow peas, spinach, summer squash, zucchini, winter squash, strawberries, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, big red tomatoes, plum tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes, musk melon, Korean melon and watermelon.

KEEPING YOUR CROPS FRESHProper storage helps your vegetables stay fresh. Here are some suggestions for prolonging the life of your farm produce.

Beans and peas | Refrigerate in a plastic bag without washing.

Corn and melons | Eat as soon as possible.

Cukes, eggplant, peppers, and summer squash | Wipe off until dry and store in the fridge.

Leafy greens and green vegetables | It’s best to re-rinse these as soon as you bring them home, dry them in a salad spinner, and store in Tupperware. Or, put them in a plastic bag or container with a paper towel to absorb the moisture. Refrigerate.

Herbs | Shake out excess water and refrigerate in a plastic bag, or place stems in a glass of water.

Onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and winter squash | Place in a paper bag or in a dark dry place that is not too hot and will not freeze.

Root crops (such as carrots, beets, and turnips) | For longest stor-age, dry and then refrigerate in plastic. If unwashed, they store best with the dirt left on.

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Who’s Who?The seasonal CSA farm crew is made up of several full-season apprentices and part-time farmhands in addition to the permanent members of staff:

Trustees

The Trustees manage Appleton Farms and its Community Supported Agriculture program. The Trustees are commit-ted to upholding the vision of Francis and Joan Appleton – that of a vibrant, working farm, here in perpetuity.

We are more than 100,000 people like you from every corner of Massachusetts. We love the outdoors. We love the distinctive charms of New England. And we believe in celebrating and protecting them – for ourselves, for our children, and for generations to come. With nearly one

hundred special places across the state, we invite you to find your place.

All CSA shareholders are also members of The Trustees. To become a member of The Trustees of Reservations or to learn more about designating your member-ship to Appleton Farms, please contact our farm office.

www.thetrustees.org

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Andrew Lawson is the CSA Manager. He can be reached at: alawson@thetrustees.org

Leah Jurman is the CSA Assistant Manager. She can be reached at: ljurman@thetrustees.org

A broad group manages other aspects of Appleton Farms, including our General Manager, field crews, dairy manager and a livestock crew, education-al and interpretive staff, property stewardship and office staff, and volunteer committee members. Volunteers participate in many aspects of the CSA – organizing potlucks, to helping with fieldwork and distributions. Please contact the CSA Manager if you would like to be involved!

We offer a menu of programs throughout the year to introduce children and adults to our working farm. From culinary classes to farm camp, seasonal special events and behind-the-scenes tours, we invite you to come enjoy this educational farm all year long. All of our program information can be found on our website at www.thetrustees.org

Learn with us

ContactsCommunity Supported Agriculture is just one of the many happenings at Appleton Farms. Seven days a week, you can enjoy hiking, biking, dog walking, equestrian trails, and great vistas. On any given day, you may see cows, horses, birds, deer, and the occasional coyote or fox. The landscape is diverse, and changes from wetlands to hayfields to pasture to woods.

Appleton Farms and Appleton Farms Grass Rides trail maps areavailable at the public parking lots on Highland Avenue and Waldingfield Road, or from the farm office. You can also download a map at www.thetrustees.org.

Please enjoy many visits here. This is your community farm. Thank you!

To contact us:Appleton Farms219 County RoadIpswich, MA 01938

To reach the farm office:978.356.5728 appletonfarms@thetustees.org

Or join us online:

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thetrustees.org

The Trustees is Massachusetts’ largest conservation and preservation organization and the nation’s first land trust. We are a nonprofit supported by members, friends, and donors. Explore 116 amazing places across Massachusetts, from beaches, farms and woodlands, to historic homes, urban gardens and more.