Spring CSA Share Cost and 4th Grade Math at Featherstone
I am a numbskull (pre 4th grade level inattention to detail, sometimes!). I have neglected critical accounting information in all my writing about the 3 year Spring CSA share, that is so important to the future of Featherstone Farm’s CSA program (spring, summer and winter shares alike). My apologies!! This post is an effort to correct this error.
We are currently selling 3 year Spring CSA shares for $540… (12) deliveries over 3 years
But our current single season Spring CSA share is $160… (4) boxes valued at $40 each
Most 4th graders can do the basic math: (3) x $160 = $480 (although as Groucho says to Zeppo in Duck Soup, “run out and find me a [4th grader], I can’t make head or tail out of it!!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsW-atvN9y0&ab_channel=tedm82)
So what is the difference? Why are we charging an additional $60 for the privilege of buying produce 3 seasons in advance?
The answer has to do with the future of the CSA program as a whole, and I think it is good news: If we sell the ~100 or so 3 year Spring Shares that we need to construct the new gutter connected Hugh Tunnel (GCHT)- and then we build the tunnel this summer as planned- then we will be able to produce way more additional crops in May of 2024 and 2025 and the average box value will consequently rise from $40 (2023) to $45 (2024) to $50 (2025).
Now do the math, and you will see where the $540 figure comes from!
In addition, please understand that the GCHT project this summer is just the first step of a large scale pivot toward added crops, products and services we are planning to build into the program in the near future. It is very possible that a CSA box in 2025 would contain- in addition to a plethora of freshly picked greens and other crops from the high tunnels- cold pressed carrot juice form FF carrots, or frozen pesto made from FF basil. Or even organic applesauce from our neighbors at Hoch Orchard. Or even organic walnuts or almond butter from our good friends at Full Belly Farm in CA.
We are including the possible (likely?) addition all of these crops and products in our ballpark valuation of that 2025 box at $50. But honestly, the value could turn out to be well above $50, as you can imagine. If the value IS over $50 at that time, single year members will pay the real 2025 price. But 3 year members will have paid for the additional crops already in 2023 dollars… we will not ask you to pay more, since you helped get the ball rolling in the first place!!
In this way, I truly believe that a $540 investment now, in (12) spring boxes to be delivered over the next 3 springs, will turn out to be a good value on the basis of 4th grade math alone. Not to mention all of the other values (innovation, community engagement) that I outlined in a previous post. AND there is the matter of the spring picnic at FF (April or May 2024) that all 3 year spring members will be invited to; this will truly be your picnic to celebrate your project at your farm. Please join us, even if the math is a bit funky!!
Gratefully! Jack