Joining FRESH

 FRESH is a cooperatively organized group of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in southern Wisconsin dedicated to promoting understanding and public dialogue about sustainable agriculture issues, collectively marketing our farms, sharing expertise, and otherwise providing mutual support and camaraderie.

 We offer membership levels for both CSA farmers (“Producer-member”) and the general public (“Supporting-member”).

 Supporting-members may join simply by contacting us here.  There is no fee for becoming a Supporting-member, but we ask that you either make a donation, work on a committee, or both.

 Farms may apply to become CSA Producer-members if they meet the following criteria:

  • Make at least some part of their income from providing CSA shares which they produce on their own land (rented or owned) in accordance with the Pure Food Pledge;

  • Farm in the state of Wisconsin, within a 100 mile radius of Madison.

 Benefits to becoming a CSA Producer-member of FRESH:

  • Democratic governance and collective decision-making;

  • Marketing visibility through our website and events;

  • HMO rebates to your CSA members (currently available to participants in GHC, Deancare and Physicians Plus, and applies only to vegetable-shares);

  • Access to the pooled expertise of your CSA-farming colleagues through the FRESH Forum and professional-development events;

  • Mentoring for less-experienced farmers.

 FRESH accepts applications for new CSA Producer-members between January 1st and July 1st for memberships beginning the following year.   You may download the attached PDF and return it electronically to info@freshfoodwisconsin.org, or by mail to the address at the bottom of the application.  (If you are unable to see or download the PDF, contact Rob at robmcc666@msn.com and we can send the document by email or post.)

Upon receipt of your application, the New Grower Committee will review it and contact you to set up a farm visit during the growing season. Visits typically last one to two hours and we make every endeavor to schedule them at a time that’s least disruptive to your operation. The committee will then make a recommendation to the general membership, which has final approval. New farms will be invited to the Autumn general membership meeting (this year, Sunday, November 14th 2010, from approximately 1PM to 4PM, location TBA).