Frequently Asked Questions

How much does one share cost?

• Small Share, ideal for single folks: $350.00 + $15 application fee = $365

• Medium Share, ideal for couples: $550 + $15 application fee = $565

• Large Share, ideal for families, vegetarian couples, or "Foodies": $750 + $15 application fee = $ 765

*All shares can be picked up at the Farm Stand at no additional cost on any day of the week! See below for Farm Stand details.

How does it work? As with traditional CSA models, we pre-sell “shares” in exchange for 24 weeks of bountiful produce throughout the late spring, summer, and early fall. What makes Native Hill's Summer Farm Share different is that rather than receiving a weekly share of produce for a set number of weeks, our members have a produce account which they can use at our weekly market and daily Farm Stand. In addition, members receive a 10% bonus.

To put it simply: Buy what you want, when you want, and we just deduct from your account!

This model offers the convenience of purchasing the quantity and variety of produce that you prefer and the flexibility to obtain produce when you need it. For example, if you are enjoying a vacation during the growing season, your balance will still be available when you return. Forgot to grab kale when you came to the Market? Pick some up at the Farm Stand, open daily 10am-6pm. In addition, you don’t even have to remember to bring cash to the market or Farm Stand as we will just deduct your purchases from your account and update your balance weekly.

Members will still enjoy the benefits of a traditional CSA, such as directly supporting a small, local farm and building relationships with community members who share similar values and interests. Weekly farm updates and recipes will be regularly available as well as the opportunity to become a Working Member.

How much produce can I get with my share?

Although the possible produce combinations are seemingly endless, here is what your produce basket may look like after a visit to our stand if you stick to a weekly allowance:
· Small Share: ½ lb salad mix, 1 bunch carrots, 1/2 lb tomatoes, 2 cucumber
· Medium Share: ½ lb salad mix, 1 bunch carrots, 1 lb tomatoes, 3/4 lb green bean, 1 lb summer squash, 1 cucumber
· Large Share: ½ lb salad mix, 1 bag spinach, 1 bunch carrots, 1 lb tomatoes, 1 bunch swiss chard, 2 lb new potatoes, 1 lb summer squash, 1 cucumber

*Includes 10% member bonus

How do I check my account balance?

You can check your balance in 2 different ways. Scan the QR code on the back of your membership card and it will tell you your balance. If you are at the market and you don’t have your card, you can ask the friendly cashier what your account balance is after you finish your purchase.

Where can I use my produce account?

You can use your summer farm share membership account at the weekly Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings from 9-1pm at the Larimer County Courthouse located at Howes and Oak starting Mary 18th 2024.

In addition to the Farmers Market, we offer Farm Stand pick-up to all members from May 18th-October 26th 2024. Much like the Farmer’s Market, you can pick up whatever you would like 7 days a week (10am to 6pm) from our on-site honor system Farm Stand located at the Farm (2100 CR 54g Fort Collins). See Farm Stand details below for more info.

Why an application fees?

The application/administration fee of $15 covers the cost of processing applications and keeping up with the extra accounting required by the Market CSA program.

How long do I have to use my produce balance?

You will have 24 glorious weeks to obtain the freshest, tastiest produce that can be grown on our farm.  We do our best to be at the first and last markets of the season but each season’s weather is quite different and we will keep our members up to date about the start and end dates of the CSA season.

Farm Stand Details

What if I come to the farm stand and forgot my farm card?

No problem! Leave a note with your full name, the words CSA Member, and an itemized and totaled list of the produce you purchased.

What if I come to the Market at the last minute and there isn't much produce left?

That means we had a great day at Market! But it also means you will have to come a bit earlier next time to assure that you have all the available produce to choose from for your farm share. Based on member feedback we are asking our CSA members to consider the first 3 hours of market as the CSA pick up window. You can still come at the last minute and grab something for that week but we may be sold out of many items.

What if there is a natural disaster or it hails at the Farm?

As the main concept of a community supported agriculture program, you are sharing in the risk and rewards of growing food in Northern Colorado. Because we do not run a typical CSA program, we have built in a hail clause allowing for our CSA members to share this risk with us. If we get a devastating weather event and are unable to go to market or have to go to market with severely reduced harvest, we will deduct the amount of an average week from everyone’s CSA accounts. This policy allows us to be a more robust farm and make farming in Northern Colorado a more sustainable business. Thanks for your understanding.

What is the Summer CSA Market pick-up procedure?

Here is how it works:

1. Pick out the produce you would like in the quantities that you would like using our shopping baskets
2. Bring basket to check out table and give the check out person your Summer Farm Share card and reusable bags
3. The friendly checkout person will bag your produce, add up your total, and enter it right into our electronic system so that you have a real time account balance whenever you would like it (and we will not have to waste paper or spend hours updating accounts every week).

What happens if I just can't get enough of your tasty veggies and I zero out my account before the season ends?

Have no fear! We do not encourage you to ration your veggie intake, rather we will be happy to add more money to your account at any point during the season as well as extend your 10% bonus to any amount added. You can do this at the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings with a credit card or by dropping a check into the cash box at the Farm Stand.

What happens if I can't use all my account balance before the season ends?

Although we hope that one will not deprive themselves of delicious, pre-bought produce, we understand that life happens. We will be happy to donate your existing balance in the form of produce to the Larimer County Food Bank and the Native Hill Shared Share program. We cannot roll over money into next year as we have successfully turned it into produce.

Do you offer work shares?

Yes! Please click here to learn more about our Working Membership program.

What other perks do I get as a member?

You will receive a weekly farm eNewsletter about what will be at market and what is happening on the farm plus weekly recipes on how to cook what is being harvested that week.