Restoring the connection between people and farms, CSA allows you to enjoy the freshest produce while advancing economically viable and ecologically responsible farming.
Local food systems keep money spent on food closer to home to support local farmers. When you know where your food comes from, you can choose food that meets your expectations for quality, taste, and environmental sensitivity.

THE SEASON
We are looking forward to the ninth season of Stoney Lonesome Farm's CSA program! 

Our harvests run from late May through mid-October, totaling 22 weeks of produce for the season. While the amount of produce will vary through the season, one share should be suitable for two veggie-loving adults, or a few weekly meals for a larger family. 

WHAT'S IN A SHARE?
We provide 22 weekly shares of seasonal produce, from late May into October. While the amount of produce will vary through the season, one share should be suitable for two veggie-loving adults, or a few weekly meals for a larger family.
Here is a sample of what you can expect: See 2009 season's photos from one of our members!

Early-Season: sugar snap peas, lettuce (varieties) & hearty greens, carrots, brassicas, & herbs…
Mid-Season: summer squash, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, garlic, beans, herbs, & cut flowers…
Late-Season: remaining summer crops, a return of lettuces & hearty greens, root crops, winter squash, herbs, & cut flowers …

Also included is our newsletter, The Weekly Share, with recipes & updates from the farm.

PARTICIPATION & HELP ON THE FARM
Community participation is an essential aspect of our CSA program. A strong connection between members and the farm provides much needed assistance to the farm at key moments through the season. We’ve also found that CSA members who contribute to farm projects enjoy an enriched CSA experience. It’s fun!
We ask, but do not require, that members help us on harvest days twice each season. This help need not be physically demanding as there are many ways to assist, sun or shade.

CSA SPOTS ARE NOW OPEN! DOWNLOAD THE 2012 BROCHURE & SIGN UP!

The Cost of a Regular Share in our 2012 CSA Program is $748 for the season, which averages to $34/week for twenty-two weeks of delicious, fresh, and ecologically grown vegetables, plus a wonderful experience for your household through the growing season. Farm events, educational opportunities, and even bonus harvests enhance the value of your participation in our CSA program. We provide a newsletter with each weekly share, containine recipes and updates on upcoming farm events.

Participants in our Harvest Help program receive a reduced price on their share in exchange for helping with twelve of the twenty-two weekly harvests. The cost of participating in the the 2012 Harvest Help program is $375, and requires a special application process and calendar commitment. 

Click here to get directions to our farm.

Our harvests run on Sunday & Wednesday mornings, from 7:30am to 12:30pm. Participants pick either Sunday or Wednesday as their consistent day to help with gathering and processing of the farm's harvest. Each harvest lastsapproximately 4 hours.

The harvest work will involve a variety of tasks, from picking vegetables, herbs and flowers, to sorting, washing, and packing the picked produce. We ask that the same person come for all 12 of the harvests. It takes time to train folks to do the different tasks, so the more time you are here, the easier the job.

TRAINING
We train all Harvest Help participants and work together the whole time. There is a short learning curve, but it is easy to get the hang of it. We work in groups and keep a good pace. Helpers get to know the gardens, the different edible plants, and the entire harvesting process, from the field to the pick-up station!

WHAT MEMBERS SAY…
"We really loved our experience this year and we can't wait until next May! "
- H.B., Centerville, VA
"This summer, the harvesting was so much fun and I met the coolest group of people."
- Y. B., Fairfax, VA
"I have been harvesting at the farm for the last 3 years and I can not say enough about the enjoyment I get. The wonderful fresh vegetables are an additional bonus, I would recommend this experience to anyone." 
- J. C., Gainesville, VA

APPLY for the Harvest Help Share by contacting us to schedule a farm tour & interview!

We are developing a new schedule for 2012- stay tuned! 

Expectations
Work hard
Think hard
Ask questions
Show up to work on time and acquire proper equipment for work on the farm
Understand that we will have long and hard days but also short and easy days

Free Time
When you work on a farm time off becomes very valuable. Rest is essential to ensure prime performance while working.
A stream runs through the back of our farm, in the forest, and our land includes 60 acres of wooded trails ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, running, photography and fishing. There is a deep swimming hole on the farm. We encourage their use!

Apply
Interested applicants please fill out the Apprenticeship Application and mail or email it to us. We will then contact you to schedule a farm visit and interview.

Don't hesitate to contact us with questions.

Bed preparation in our gardens is based on two key plant needs; a loosened, well drained soil with good aeration, and a healthy abundance of organic matter to feed the life in the soil, including our plants.

We loosen and aerate our clay soil to a depth of one foot with a tool called abroadfork. Then, we edge out the bed, add about an inch of fine compost to the surface of the soil, and incorporate it lightly into the top few inches of the bed using a long-handled four-tine cultivator, or 'the claw.' Lastly, we rake the bed smooth to cut on moisture loss. This three-step process of soil-loosening, adding organic matter, and sculpting the bed to a smooth, fine surface creates a wonderful growing medium for just about anything, assuming the pH level is somewhere around neutral.

Air spaces in the loosened soil, as well as the added organic matter, both help to retain moisture and facilitate drainage in situations of excess or meager moisture. As a result, plant roots have continual access to the moisture they need, but can breathe and extend in search of nutrients. Soil aeration and compost also fuel a frenzy of microbial activity in the soil, and this activity unlocks even more soil nutrients for plants.

In addition to our bed preparation by hand and sometimes with a walk-behind tiller, we maintain a good deal of diversity in the garden. That way, no matter what weather is thrown our way, something is bound to thrive. Diversity also helps with pest infestations. Certain pests like certain crops, so we can limit the scope of damage from a particular pest in any season. We feel that losing a planting here or there is okay. This year we had trouble with fall broccoli. But on balance, the pest damage has been minimal. A healthy mixture of vegetable plants, herbs and flowers creates the diverse environment that attracts the good guys - small birds, bees, lady bugs, and other beneficial creatures that collectively help facilitate pollination and feast on garden pests.

We constantly look at the bigger picture as we take a few losses each season for the sake of having a healthier, living garden whole. We believe that staying committed to diversity in our gardens, and focusing on satisfying the needs of our plants in a natural manner, will most always achieve an abundant bounty for the dinner table.

Shares will be ready for pick-up at the following locations & hours:

The Farm - Sundays and Wednesdays: 2 - 7pm

JCC of Northern Virginia (Fairfax) - Wednesdays: 4 - 7pm. Additional delivery charge of $44 for the season ($2 per week) applies.

Friendship Heights, DC - Sundays <---- this is a co-op. Here's how it works.

Mt. Pleasant, DC - Sundays <---- this is a co-op. Here's how it works.

We are interested in setting up more Co-Op pick-up locations convenient to where you live!

It is members’ responsibility to pick up shares within scheduled distribution hours. Remaining shares may be donated.

+ Farm History