These pages are designed to provide members with additional information about all the details of your CSA membership. Please contact us if you do not find answers to your questions!
Visiting the Farm
Are there specific days or times when I can visit the farm?
Visiting the farm is a great way to enrich your CSA experience. Throughout the season we will host "Farm Days", one of the benefits of your CSA membership. A typical Farm Day includes a learning/work activity in the fields, a tour of what is growing and of course, good food and good company. These days provide a great chance to get to know other members and to participate more fully in the farming experience.
In addition to these organized days, you are welcome to come on your own at other times to volunteer or just hang out and have fun. The farm is our home, and in general we welcome your visit whenever we are here and available. We do ask that you call ahead to make sure one of us is here and able to meet you when you plan to arrive.
How do I get to the farm?
The farm is located five miles west of the village of Greenville, NY, approximately 40 minutes south of downtown Albany.
You can park on the grass on the left-hand side of the driveway. If you come on a very muddy day and there are not a lot of other cars, we suggest parking in the driveway behind our vehicles.
Can I drive into the fields?
No. Even if you have a 4WD vehicle, please respect the rule that vehicles from off the farm should not go beyond the designated parking area (past the house), unless we specifically have given you permission to drive beyond this area that day.
Also, when you drive onto the farm, please remember that we have two farm dogs and three young children who may be nearby. Please exercise commonsense caution.
Can I bring my dog to the farm?
We like dogs and have two of our own. As long as your dog gets along with other dogs and with people (including small children), and is relatively well behaved, it is welcome to visit with you. Please be aware that we use electric ‘invisible fencing’ for our dogs, so there isn’t any physical barrier to keep your dog in or out of any particular area – including out of the road or out of the gardens – so that will be your responsibility.
On days when many visitors are coming at the same time (such as a popular farm day or festival), please call us in advance to ask about bringing your dog. If you have special concerns about being around dogs, please let us know in advance so we can try to balance everyone’s preferences.
Can I help with farm work when I visit?
Definitely!! Beginning in 2010, we are introducing a work commitment of two hours (one working visit) per share, to be completed over the course of the season. Member work commitments are an integral component of traditional CSA models and have always been part of our vision for the CSA as a true partnership between farmers and consumers. We will have plenty of opportunities for members to fulfill this commitment, including a standing member work day during the week and other weekend work events to be scheduled throughout the season.
Of course we welcome volunteer work beyond the two hour minimum! If you do want to volunteer, please contact us in advance of your visit so we can tell you what we’re working on and give you any special instructions about clothing or other gear. Members interested in making a more intensive ongoing weekly or monthly work commitment can contact us to discuss individually.
What else is there to do on the farm?
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, then plenty! We encourage you to explore and enjoy the entire farm property –over fifty acres that includes open fields, trails through the woods, and a small pond, in addition to the flower garden and cultivated fields. You can hike, bicycle, picnic, birdwatch, swing, catch frogs, swim, go on nature hunts, explore the flower and vegetable gardens, or just lounge in the hammock or the wigwam.
The first time you come to visit we will try to be available to show you around and orient you to the different areas. We also will be happy to provide mini tours of the greenhouse and garden to show you what’s new.
Visitors are not permitted on farm equipment (tractor, implements, etc), and may not enter any farm buildings without us. Remember that there are inherent risks around a farm and in the natural areas of the property. Please use common sense and exercise caution to avoid injury.
What else is there to do in the surrounding area?
Foxtail Community Farm is located outside of Greenville, New York, in the northern foothills of the beautiful Catskill Mountains. Greene County is a great place to spend some time. Horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and boating can be done at a number of nearby ranches and parks, including the Catskill State Park to our south. Mini golf, go- carts, and regular golf courses are nearby, as is the Zoom Flume water park. There are many small gift and antique shops and a variety of restaurants in the neighboring villages.
What should I wear? Is any special gear needed?
Whether you are coming to work or play, we recommend clothing that is functional and can get dirty. Good shoes are critical – flip-flops or loose sandals will not be very useful in the fields or woods. You may wish to wear long pants and/or socks for walking in the long grass or woods, as both ticks and poison ivy can be found in various spots. If you will be working outside for long, we recommend a hat and sunscreen.
CSA Deliveries
How do weekly deliveries work?
When you sign up for the CSA, you will select one of our established delivery sites in the Capital District, or choose the option of picking up your share at the farm in Greenville. Then at the beginning of the season, each CSA member will be designated three durable, reusable waxed produce boxes, tagged with your name. Do not throw these boxes away!! Every week from June through October (22 week season), we will deliver your produce shares to the delivery site you selected. On delivery day you simply pick up your tagged box full of produce, and leave behind an empty box for the following week’s share.
Where and when will deliveries occur?
At this time we have six delivery sites for 2010: Delmar (three sites), Loudonville, the OCFS Building in Rensselaer, and on the farm in Greenville. Depending on need and availability, we may add another site to be determined. If you are interested in hosting a site, please let us know!
The delivery days for 2010 tentatively will be Mondays or Thursdays, depending on the site you select. Unless you make other arrangements with us, you must use the same delivery site every week throughout the season. Days will be finalized in the spring.
We drop shares off at approximately 4:00 pm so produce is fresh for members stopping by after work. You should make all efforts to pick up your share by 6:00 pm on delivery day; we cannot guarantee freshness of some items beyond this time. Out of courtesy to your site host, please pick up no later than 9:00 pm. (Members picking up at the OCFS Building must pick up shares by 6:00 pm, as the door is locked for the day at that time).
Can I pick up my share at the farm?
As noted on the membership application, you can choose to pick up your weekly share at the farm in Greenville. While this option is designed for local members, any member can choose this option if preferred. There is a discount of $25 for members who select this option.
What happens if I forget to return or lose one of my delivery boxes?
If you forget to return your delivery box, your next share may be delivered in a regular box or plain bag. Please try to avoid this, as these will not keep your produce as fresh or protected as the special waxed boxes we have provided for deliveries.
If you lose one or more of your boxes, we will ask you to pay a replacement fee of $5.00 per box. If your box deteriorates as a result of normal wear-and-tear, we will replace it at no charge.
What happens if I need to miss a delivery?
If you are unable to pick up your delivery for a given week, you are welcome to have another person take it for you – simply instruct them on where and when to pick up the box. If nobody can pick up your share, please contact us in advance to avoid food going to waste – we will either divide it amongst other members or donate it to our local food bank. If you have a last-minute conflict (i.e. after we have left the farm to make deliveries for the day), it is your responsibility to contact your site host to make other arrangements.
We may be able to offer you an alternate date during the same week to pick up your share on the farm. Please contact us in advance to discuss this option.
Because there is a lag between the time you drop off your empty box and the time we pick it up, you should not communicate with us about the need to miss a delivery through a note left in your box. Please call us or send an email to reach us in time to make arrangements.
