Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find some Frequently Asked Questions about Artisan Organics.  If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please feel free to ask by using the Contact Us page.

 Question: A Subscription for Vegetables?  Who thought of that?

The concept, often called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), developed simultaneously in both Japan and Europe after World War II.  Though each movement arose independently, both were concerned with forging a direct connection between farmers, the earth, and the people consuming the food.

In 1986, the first Community Supported Agriculture farm in the United States began offering shares in New Hampshire.  The founders of this farm were familiar with European CSA’s.  They were also influenced by the work of Rudolph Steiner in both the fields of agriculture and economics.  Consequently, most of the early CSA’s used the bio-dynamic growing practices that Steiner espoused.   Since that time, the movement has grown to include more than 4,000 CSAs nationwide.  It encompasses all sorts of growing practices and lots of different variations on the CSA theme.

Question: Where can I learn more about Community Supported Agriculture?

The web site www.localharvest.org has a great discussion of the benefits, and the risks, of joining a CSA.  We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.  In fact, we strongly suggest you read it.  http://www.localharvest.org/csa/.

Question: How do I figure out if your Community Supported Agriculture subscription is right for me?  The web site www.localharvest.org has some great information about choosing a CSA.  Check out their “Choosing a CSA”, and especially “Questions You Might Ask Your CSA”.  After you’ve done your homework, come back and read all about us.  We’ve tried to answer any questions you might have but if we missed anything please free to use the Contact Page to ask us.  Remember, our Farm Script is a great option if you decide that our CSA share won’t work well for you.

Question: How much experience does the Artisan Organics farmer have?

My name is Florence Jessup.  Before farming, I had successful careers in health care administration, disability rights advocacy, and not-for-profit management.  During those years, I grew much of my family’s food on our small, suburban lot in Sonoma County CA… and dreamed of growing for a larger community.  In 2005, I left the security of a long-term job and enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture Certificate Program at Santa Rosa Junior College.

In addition to my course work, I had the opportunity to work at the college’s 365 acre farm.  My duties included everything from developing a financial record keeping system to completing the organic certification documentation, to sowing, transplanting, weeding, pruning and harvesting.  This was an invaluable experience in learning the difference between a family garden and a production farm.

In late 2006, my spouse and I were lured to the Willamette Valley by the quality and affordability of farm land, and by our grandchildren in Portland!  Since that time, I have spent many, many hours establishing Artisan Organics in order to bring you quality, fresh, wholesome food.

Question:  How long has Artisan Organics been offering a CSA?

Artisan Organics operated under a Subscription model for three years, during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 growing years.  In 2011, we took a break and only served the Hillsboro farmer’s markets.  Why did we make this choice? We had just moved to a new field on our property.  It had formerly been a very poorly managed horse pasture.  We weren’t sure what kinds of problems (weeds!) we might find.  And, we had a brand new irrigation system.  We just didn’t feel comfortable committing to subscribers when there were so many new variables in play.

Fortunately, our actual experience far exceeded our expectations.  The new field and irrigation system were fabulous!  We were able to grow loads and loads of fresh wonderful vegetables.  Sure, there were a few kinks to work out but it turned out to be a very good year.    Now we feel confident in our ability to offer our fresh, locally grown produce to subscribers again.

Question:  Does Artisan Organics offer produce from other farms?

The vast majority of our produce is grown at the Artisan Organics farm.  Occasionally, we may partner with other area farms to ensure that a CSA share includes the specified number of items.  For example, if the spring is really wet, one or two items in the early season shares might come from another farm.  This allows us to protect our soil by keeping off of it when it is most vulnerable to compaction.

On the occasion we do this, the items will come from farmers I know personally and whose growing practices I have thoroughly reviewed.  CSA subscribers will always be informed when their shares include produce from another farm and the name of that farm.

Our booth at the Farmer’s Market will not include produce from other farms.  Farmer’s Market rules do not allow it.

Question:  Farm Script and CSA shares are a big commitment.  Do you have references?  Sure.  Request them through our Contact Us page and we will reply with e-mail addresses of some of our previous customers.

Question:  If I don’t use all of my Farm Script, will I get a refund at the end of the season?

No.  Much of the expense of farming occurs early in the year to pay for the labor hours needed to sow seeds, prepare planting beds, weed and water.  For this reason, we are not able to give refunds.  Please determine the amount of Farm Script you purchase accordingly.  If you use it all before the end of the season you may certainly purchase more.

Question:  Will Artisan Organics recycle my kitchen scraps?

Absolutely!  We’d be delighted.  We even have small buckets with lids for you to transport it.  Just ask when you pick up your produce.

Each week bring your bucket to your pick up site, even if the bucket isn’t full.  We’ll feed your kitchen waste to the worms.  The worms will munch it down and turn it into nutrient rich castings.  At the beginning of each season, we spread the castings in our fields.  This allows us to return the nutrients to the earth, completing an essential circle in the farming cycle.   Please see our Conservation page for photos of our worm bin.

Question:  What may I include in my Kitchen Scrap Bucket?

Anything a worm will eat!  Your cooking scraps plus coffee grounds and tea leaves.  The worms love them.  But please no coffee filters or other paper products. They’re not so tasty.

Also, please do not include the following items:

Fats, Oils, Meats – The worms can’t digest them.  If you include them, they’ll end up being spread in the fields as is.  Yuck!

Seeds, including seeds from your produce –Please be vigilant about not including seeds, especially from squash, as they become weeds in our fields.

House Plants – You’d be surprised how many house plants are poisonous.  Please don’t include them.  You might kill our worms.