Phil Cordelli - CSA Head Grower                                                                                                                Phil comes to Colorado from the very different climate of western Massachusetts, where for the last four seasons he helped manage a 55-acre organic vegetable farm. Last season he also did a little half-acre market garden on of his own, and the Chatfield CSA seems like the perfect medium between the two for Phil! "This place is brimming with amazing, friendly and expert people, all of whom have been eager to help." 

Justin Cook - CSA Seasonal Grower                                                                                                         Justin has spent the last six years living in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. During that time he has had the opportunity to raise livestock and farm throughout the Southwest. Justin joined the CSA crew to be with the land and expand his experience of farming in this region.

Jamie Wickler - CSA Seasonal Grower                                                                                                Jamie has always had a love for the outdoors; anything from hiking, skiing, camping, and of course gardening. She is so excited to join the Chatfield CSA this year and to be part of a community working towards a sustainable food source.

Amanda Wilson - Horticulturist
Joining Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield as a seasonal gardener in 2007, Amanda has since assisted with the design and installation of the Carol Gossard Native Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield before contributing to the CSA. Amanda manages the perennial herb and cutting gardens for the CSA. She arranges the fresh cut bouquets available for purchase by CSA Shareholders. 

See you there!

We will begin our volunteer schedule for the CSA in early April 2013. No prior experience required, just a passion for gardening, agriculture, local food or simply being outside in nature! If you are interested in this uniquely satisfying volunteer opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Services Department at vol@botanicgardens.org with any questions about volunteering. Here is our volunteer application form.

We are also searching for Volunteer Shareholders who would like to take their commitment to a higher level with the CSA. Volunteer Shareholders work three hours a week with us (a total of 60 hours) in exchange for a $125 discount on their vegetable share purchase. These positions are very important to the CSA and weekly attendance is mandatory. For more information on the Volunteer Shareholder program please email csa.chatfield@botanicgardens.org This opportunity is SOLD OUT at this time.

All new and returning regular volunteers will need to attend the training on May 3, 2013 at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield for an informational tour and training.

Description of Tasks:

Mondays:  May through the end of October
6:30-9:30 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*
8:00-11:00 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*

Tuesdays:   May through the end of October
6:30-9:30 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*
8:00-11:00 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*
3:30 - 6:30 p.m. (York Street CSA distribution)*  

Wednesdays:  May through the end of October
6:30 - 9:30 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*
8 -11 a.m. (harvest, weeding)* 

Thursdays:  May through the end of October
6:30 - 9:30 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*
8 - 11 a.m. (harvest, weeding)*

Sundays - May through the end of October
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (weeding and other farming tasks)

*We are looking for volunteers who can commit to coming on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for these shifts.

If you are a current CSA volunteer and would like to sign up for shifts or report your hours please click here.

General Description of Tasks
All volunteer positions will include a variety of tasks. There is not a volunteer job that focuses on one activity so each volunteer should be prepared to learn and try out the various tasks we offer.

Weeding 
While weeding, the volunteers will spend a lot of time on their knees and bent over. We will be primarily using handheld hoes to weed the beds in the CSA. There will also be some weeding of the aisles between beds done with a wheel hoe or spading fork.

Harvest 
Volunteers will help harvest the CSA produce of the week which will be dependent on the time of year. Tasks will range from digging up roots, harvesting herbs and greens, to picking squash, cucumbers and other vegetables.

Distribution
These volunteers will help with the set up for distribution by assembling tables with produce and signs. The volunteers will help keep produce stocked throughout the distribution time, greet members and assist them with collecting their weekly share. At the end of distribution the volunteers will assist with clean up and breaking down the distribution.

Each season we as staff and volunteers become part of a farming family. Here are some quotes from our core volunteers about their volunteer experience with the Chatfield CSA:

Amy: "I suffer from seasonal depression...and this is the first season that I don't feel it coming on. I think it's because I see why the seasons exist...the land needs to rest, the plants need to rest, and the farmers need to rest. It all makes sense to me now and it seems a lot more bearable."

Charlene: "This is cheaper and much better than therapy!"

Cindy: "I have no idea what I would have done this summer without having the farm to come to every week!"

Please check back in 2014 if you are interested in working with us.

See the chart below which includes a weekly breakdown of the share cost per adult. Shareholders are required to purchase a vegetable share in order to take advantage of our additional share opportunities.

Additional Share Options:

ORGANIC FRUIT:  You can purchase a fruit share for $215. The fruit share includes approximately 11 weeks of local organic fruit (provided by Ela Family farms in Hotchkiss, CO) which is pre-bagged and available for pick up at both distribution locations. Fruit shares normally consist of: organic peaches, plums, pears, apples and cider.   

LOCAL ARTISAN BREAD: The bread share is $100 for 20 weeks of fresh bread. The bread is baked freshly that day by the Red Mountain Bakery located in Denver, CO. All ingredients are organic or natural. Each week includes one large artisan loaf per share. Bread varieties will rotate through the following options: ciabatta, nine grain, garlic rosemary, cranberry walnut and sourdough. Additional varieties such as white chocolate lemon boules and our kalamata olive may also become available later in the season. Bread shares are available for pick up at both distribution locations. 

LOCAL FREE-RANGE EGGS: The egg share consists of one dozen mixed hen and duck eggs each week for $100 and will last 20 weeks. Eggs are provided by Eastern Plains Natural Food Co-op, a long-standing organization that supports Colorado small scale egg producers. All eggs are raised with humane animal practices: all natural or organic grain fed chickens as well as free range. Egg shares are available for pick up at both distribution locations.   

LOCAL GOURMET MUSHROOMS: The mushroom share is $120 for 20 weeks of mushrooms. Each week you will receive one half-pound bag of mixed mushrooms. The mushrooms are grown by Hazel Dell Farm located in Fort Collins. CO. The share will consist primarily of shitake and cremini as well as the occasional oyster, Lion's Mane and portabella mushrooms. Mushroom shares are available for pick up at both distribution locations.  

LOCALLY ROASTED COFFEE: The coffee share is $230 for 20 weeks of coffee. Each week you will receive one pound of coffee freshly roasted by Pablo's right here in Denver. The share will include a variety of coffees.  

ADDITIONAL CSA SHAREHOLDER BENEFITS: Include local Chatfield honey and fresh cut flower bouquets available for individual purchase, a weekly CSA e-newsletter, invitations to CSA shareholder events and community activities, as well cooking demonstrations, recipes and more! You will also receive information on our CSA Education Series (including classes on canning and preserving) held at Chatfield during the growing season. You will be able to sign up for classes this spring.

2013 SHARE COST ANALYSIS

* Share sizes (Bushel and Peck) do not reflect actual measurements of volume

Dear 2013 Chatfield CSA Shareholders,

The CSA Team welcomes you and is excited to be growing food for you and your family! We are hopeful that the recent moisture continues to nurture the soil, providing us with a great growing season. Get ready to come and visit the farm, attend the community events or classes, and as always, savor the fresh produce!

We would like to wish Jenny (Thomas) Parsons, our lead grower, well on her next farming adventure in Panama. Jenny is leaving the CSA at the end of the month. If you would like to say goodbye in person, she will be hosting the film tonight, Friday, March 8 at the Chatfield barn at 5:30 p.m. We have an excellent set of prospective growers to fill the enormous shoes Jenny left behind. Thank you, Jenny, for your amazing energy and immeasurable contribution to making the Chatfield CSA what it is today.

A Personal Note from Jenny:

Dear Chatfield CSA Shareholders,
I wanted to let all of you know that I will be leaving the Chatfield CSA at the end of March. My husband and I are going to be moving to Volcan, Panama to work on my family’s farm. We have a 150-acre farm that my family has been farming since the 1970s, where we grow ferns, flowers, strawberries and vegetables. We are looking into getting cattle to use the manure for compost, and starting a small local cheese company. We have also contemplated the idea of starting a small tomato canning company since Panama seems to lack locally grown and canned tomato products. As you can see, this is an amazing opportunity for us to be closer to family and follow our hearts. I am very sad to be leaving such an amazing community of people that has really made our three years in Colorado so wonderful. I especially want to thank the CSA team, Leigh Rovegno and Josie Hart-Genter, for teaching me so much and allowing me to grow as a person. Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity.
Sincerely, Jenny

In April, you will receive an email including a list of the 2013 CSA events, classes, and distributions to add to your calendar. Please try and take advantage of some of these offerings – they are a vital part of the community experience, and we value everyone’s presence. If you are interested in contributing to the event planning, please contact us! We would love to have help with planning the 2013 gatherings. Email us at csa.chatfiled@botanicgardens.org for more information on assisting with CSA Events.

We have added several options to your vegetable share this year, which increases your ability to support healthy, local food producers and save time in the store.

You can purchase any of these add-on options until June 1, 2013 through our website:

  Artisan Bread: One large loaf of bread weekly with a variety of types.            

  One whole-bean pound of locally roasted coffee from Pablos in Denver.

  A half-pound bag of gourmet mushrooms weekly – varieties include shiitake,    cremini, lion’s mane, portabella, etc.                                    

  One dozen free range, organic local eggs – varieties include chicken and duck.

To purchase these add-on shares, please visit our website and update your membership or follow this link: http://www.chatfieldcsa.org/members/updatemembership

We look foward to meeting all of you at our two distributions, and we're excited to participate in another year filled with good food and good friends. Please look for our monthly email updates, which  provide you with vital information about the CSA and various options as a CSA shareholder.

Cheers to Spring!
The CSA Team

Take a look at the monthly examples of what is included in a weekly share. As with all of our produce this is subject to change depending on the season and its bounty.

 The herbs that we grow include: Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Tarragon, and Thyme. The shares will receive 2-3 herbs on a weekly basis.

Example of a Weekly Share for June:

Arugula - 1 sandwich bag full
Basil - 3 leaflets
Chard - 2 leaves
Chives - 1 bunch
Cilantro - 1 sandwich bag full
Dill - 6 sprigs
Kale - 2 leaves
Kohlrabi - 2
Parsley - 5 stems
Salad Mix - 1 gallon bag half full
Spinach - 1 gallon bag half full

Example of a Weekly Share for July/August:
Basil - 6 leaflets
Beets - 4
Carrots - 8
Chard - 2 leaves
Cilantro – 1 sandwich bag full
Cucumber - 2
Dill - 6 stems
Eggplant - 1
Green Beans - 1 small sandwich bag full
Kale - 2 leaves
Kohlrabi - 2
Mint - 1 small handful
Onions - 2
Parsley - 5 springs
Peppers Hot - 4
Potatoes - 1 lb.
Salad Mix - 1 gallon bag half full
Summer Squash - 4

Example of a Weekly Share for September:

Arugula - 1 sandwich bag full
Basil - 1 gallon back half full
Beets - 4
Carrots - 8
Chard - 2 leaves
Cilantro - 1 sandwich bag full
Cucumber - 3
Eggplant - 1
Kale - 2 leaves
Leeks - 2
Lettuce -1 head
Melons - 1
Onions - 2
Oregano - 1 small handful
Parsley - 5 sprigs
Peppers Sweet - 2
Peppers Hot - 4
Peppers Green - 2
Potatoes - 1 lb.
Radish - 5
Salad Mix - 1 gallon bag half full
Summer Squash - 4
Tarragon - 1 small handful
Tomatoes - 8

Example of a Weekly Share for October:

Arugula - 1 sandwich bag full
Beets - 4
Broccoli - 1 head or Cabbage – 1/2 head
Carrots - 8
Chard - 2 leaves
Chives - 1 bunch
Eggplant - 2
Kale - 2 leaves
Kohlrabi - 2
Leeks - 2
Lettuce - 1 head
Peppers Sweet - 2
Peppers Hot - 4
Peppers Green - 2
Radish - 5
Sage - 1 small handful
Salad Mix - 1 gallon bag half full
Tomatoes - 5
Thyme - 1 small handful
Winter Squash - 1

Comments from our shareholders...

On our produce

“Excellent quality."

“The produce is much better than any other CSA; we have done others, and the greens all season is unique.”

"I love the market style option for pick up - it really adds to the community feeling."

"Our family including the children thouroughly enjoyed the experience, we are eating healthier and they are trying new veggies!"

“CSA is far better, worlds better, than a grocery store”

"Such an amazing bargain..."

On nutrition and lifestyle changes

"Since I joined the CSA, I lost 20 lbs.!!! I’ve been making a conscious effort to be more active and work on getting off the weight. I really have to say that the CSA has been a main component creating a permanent change in my diet. I have SOOOOO many veggies in my fridge, I just can’t justify hitting a drive-through when I can sauté a zucchini in a little bit of butter and garlic with romano on top."

"Eating this way is so easy and indulgent, I didn’t realize how quickly the weight was falling off. I’m not going back to the way I ate before."

"The CSA has made it so easy and inexpensive to eat healthy. The service you are providing to the community is amazing and I’m sure lots of people feel the same way." 

“The clients were so happy to see FRESH produce in the food bank. Your donations of fresh produce absolutely enhanced our community in such a positive way. It has been a real pleasure and we look forward to seeing you again next year.” – The Gathering Place