We are a 20 acre certified organic produce farm located in southwestern Wisconsin's Driftless region. We are committed to promoting bio-diversity and specialize in open pollinated and heirloom vegetable varieties. In 2009 we created the Harvest Moon Farms Producers Guild. The Guild is currently comprised of 6 farms in our area. Our partnership allows the farms to share resources and collaborate on transportation and distribution. We have partnered with some of Chicago's top chefs and provide customized growing programs. We also provide consulting and design services for urban vegetable farming. We come to the farming profession via our passion for all things food related and hope to share with our clients the joy of connecting with growing, preparing, and consuming our products.
Being certified means that an independent, USDA licensed organization inspects our farm and farming practices to ensure that we are maintaining Organic Standards. Our certifying agency is MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Association), one of the oldest and most respected USDA certifying agencies. The farm is required to keep detailed records including seed sources and input (fertilizers etc) records. The farm is reviewed at least every year; more if certain crops or products are added during the growing season.
Community Supported Agriculture
What is CSA and why should I join?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Members essentially buy a share in the farm. By supporting a CSA program you help the farm by committing to buying your share before the growing season then enjoy the bounty of the farm weekly as produce and products are available.
In the 1930’s there were 5,000,000 more family farms in the US than today. Of the 2,000,000 remaining farms only 565,000 are family owned. According to Farm Aid 330 small family farms disappear EVERY WEEK. Today about half of American farmers are between 45 and 65. Only 6% are under 35. (Source; Sustainable Table) What does this mean to you and your family? It means that increasingly your food is coming from overseas, mainly Mexico, South America and China. Questions about dubious agricultural practices abound; even if products are labeled “organic”.
If you would like to reclaim your ability to know your food source a CSA membership is a good choice. When the modern grocery store replaced the Mom and Pop shops of the pre war era Americans were offered more products at lower costs. The result has been a knee jerk reaction by consumers to make buying decisions based only on price. Small scale, sustainably produced goods are more expensive, there is no doubt about it. What a CSA member needs to consider is the VALUE of the goods they buy; not just the price. By participating in the CSA program you receive sustainably produced products that are considerably more healthy and delicious than conventional items.
When you purchase a CSA share you essentially buy a share in the farm. All members are welcome to visit and join in the workings of the farm. With your support of the CSA program you’ll be helping in the quest to bring Americans back to knowing their food and knowing their farmer. There’s a common misconception that “America Feeds the World”; it’s simply not true anymore. If you value a healthy food system and a healthy planet get your CSA share today.
