Community Supported Agriculture
We invite you to try out a CSA membership at The Wheeler Farm.
We look forward to sharing fresh produce and new ways of enjoying healthy, nutritious foods with you.
What is a CSA?
A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture has become a popular way for consumer to buy local, seasonal food directly from the farmer. In this mutual partnership, the farmer offers “shares” of produce for the consumer to purchase eliminating the middle man. It is known as a "subscription" for fresh produce.
How does our CSA work?
Community members agree to purchase a season's worth of produce or “share” before the harvest season begins. In turn, members receive a weekly bag of the freshest harvest during the local growing season. Members benefit by knowing the farmers who grow their food, by supporting local agriculture, and by receiving the highest quality produce at an affordable price. Participation in the CSA is on a first come, first serve basis meaning the sooner you sign up, the sooner your spot is secured for the growing season.
What types of shares do you offer?
Season's Best: The freshest vegetables and fruits hand-selected and harvested for you by our farmers. This option gives you the opportunity to enjoy your favorite Maryland produce and explore new options at the same time.
Fresh Select: In this market-style option, you are able to pick your own vegetables from our Farm Stand. Our farmers lay out baskets of the week’s vegetables and the members load their own bags with certain limitations.
Farm-to-Door: In 2016, we introduced our farm-to-door delivery service. In 2018, we will deliver to Howard County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Carroll County and Baltimore County (Reisterstown, Randallstown, Owings Mills, Halethorpe, Catonsville, Linthicum).
You can choose Season's Best to have your produce hand-selected by the farmer or Fresh Select which allows you to select your produce via The Wheeler Farm App before it is delivered to you home.
Farm Direct: In 2017, we introduced our Farm Direct Shipping Program. This allows customers outside of our delivery range to enjoy Maryland's freshest produce shipped right to their door. This is truly a Farmers Market shipped to your home as your produce will be hand-selected by the farmer each week.
Do I pick up my CSA share or is it delivered/shipped?
It is your choice! Our current pick-up location is on the farm in Sykesville, Md.
If you choose to have your CSA delivered, you will be assigned a delivery day based on our driver's routes. All delivery options just require you to leave a cooler on your front porch on your designated day.
Farm Direct customers will have their produce shipped each week in temperature controlled boxes which will arrive straight to their doorstep.
How long is the CSA season?
In 2018, our CSA program runs for 20 weeks from May 21 to October 12, with the exception of July 4th week.
Is a farm CSA cost effective?
You will easily save money for the same fruits and vegetables as compared to buying from a large chain store. In addition, a CSA is about so much more than money. Your vegetables are weeks fresher than grocery store purchases, not sprayed with preservatives and you are supporting local farmers.
Do you growing everything?
We grow a majority of your CSA produce but also have a partnership will other local farms who use the
same growing practices as we do. This allows us to bring you more of a variety and allows you to support the
local agriculture of different Maryland farms.
Where can I get information on how to prepare my food I receive each week
We provide a newsletter each week highlighting produce included in your box, storing tips and hand selected
recipes of the week. You can also pin with us at: www.pinterest.com/thewheelerfarm
Why Join A CSA?
* Buy Fresh Buy Local
*Support family owned, independently operated small businesses.
*Communicate face to face with the people that grow your food.
*Good for Gardeners: Let us provide your weekly basics so you can devote your garden space to your favorites
*Explore new foods and learn to cook with them.
*Be healthier by eating more vegetables.
*Share healthy eating habits with your kids. Expose them early to a variety of regional produce.
- *Cut down on the number of miles your food travels from the farm to your plate.