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CSA Member Agreement and Guidelines

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between you and the farm, with both of us sharing some of the bounty as well as the risks. This agreement outlines our shared commitments.

Section 1. Lazy Animal Farm (LAF) CSA

A. LAF’s growing practices

LAF is not certified organic. However, our farming practices meet or exceed the national organic standards.

We do not use synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. In fact, we do not even use organically certified pesticides because of the danger to native pollinators. We also use minimal tillage, cover crops, mulch, and compost to preserve and enhance soil structure and health. 

LAF is committed to being a 100% transparent farm. We welcome our members and anyone else to visit and take a tour of the farm.

B. Products included in a share

The following is a list of some of the produce we expect during the year. This list is not all-inclusive, as we grow many different types of vegetables, and it is based on our best estimate. Weather, pests, and other events will affect actual production and thus, the variety and quantity of produce provided.

May: Arugula, baby lettuce, beets, broccoli raab, cauliflower, chard, fava beans, kale, peas, radishes, scallions, snap peas, spinach and turnips.

June:  Arugula, baby lettuce, beets, broccoli raab, cauliflower, chard, garlic scapes, kale, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach and turnips.

July and August: Beets, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, pole beans, lettuce, peppers (hot & sweet), potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes, and zucchini.

September and October: Beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, turnips, and winter squash.

Culinary herbs are available and will be included in the weekly box.

LAF offers eggs for sale, though they are not included as part of your CSA Membership. 

When there is a surplus of an item suitable for canning or freezing (e.g., tomatoes, beans, or basil), those items will be available as an additional purchase.

C. CSA membership

Members will receive a weekly share of vegetables. The CSA season for members with full and half shares runs from late May to mid-October. 

Members are responsible for picking up shares each week. More detailed information about share pickups is described below.

Splitting shares: CSA shares represent a substantial portion of our farm income, and we encourage you to purchase the share size that meets your household’s needs. 

A full share is perfect for a small family who eats an average amount of vegetables or a couple who enjoys a vegetable-centric diet. A half share will meet the produce needs of one to two adults. We ask that two separate households each buy a half share rather than splitting a full share.

However, if you are a single person who can’t eat all the vegetables in a half share, by all means, split the share with another person. If you do split a share, we need to know with whom you are sharing. You are responsible for dividing the share, and we prefer one payment for both parties.

Combining shares: Large families or those who eat a lot of vegetables may want to purchase multiple shares. You may combine shares in any permutation you choose — multiple full shares, multiple half shares, or a combination of full and half shares.

No work commitment required: Unlike some CSAs, we do not require that you work as part of your membership. However, we do welcome volunteers for tasks like weeding or harvesting. If you do want to volunteer, we ask that you call ahead and schedule so we are available for instruction.

Section 2. Sharing the risk of crop failure

We promise to do our best to give you a bountiful share each week. We use irrigation, row cover, integrated pest management, and other sustainable practices to minimize the risk of crop loss.

Despite these efforts, the quantity of produce may vary from week to week and season to season due to extreme weather, insects, or other production factors. By joining our CSA, you are agreeing to share the risk of crop failure with us and other members.

Section 3. Picking up your share

You are responsible for picking up your share each week at LAF or drop-off locations on Tuesdays in Lansing, at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Wednesdays in downtown Battle Creek, at a to-be-decided location, and in Pennfield, on the farm.

A. Bags

We encourage you to bring your own bags, boxes, or cooler to carry your vegetables home. However, we do supply recycled plastic shopping bags in case you forget your own.

B. Unable to pick up share

If you are unable to pick up your share, please give us as much advanced notice as possible — ideally, at least 24 hours. You then have the following options:

• You may have someone else pick up your share. Please let us know who will be coming in your place.
• With at least 24 hours’ notice, you may switch your pick-up day to an alternate day. We prefer that you pick one day and stick with it, but we can accommodate occasional changes.
• You may pick up a “double share” the preceding or following week; however, members often find that they cannot use all of the vegetables

C. Switching pick-up day 

If you need to change your day one week, we ask that you give us as much notice as possible, but at least one day in advance. If you realize that the day you chose is not working out and need to change your pickup day permanently, just let us know and we’ll make the switch. We want to avoid frequent back-and-forth changes between days.

D. No weather cancellations

Pickup will happen rain or shine; it will not be canceled due to inclement weather.

E. Holidays

There will be no pickup the week of Memorial Day, May 27, or the week of July 4th, July 1.

Section 4: Safety and logistics

A. Farm hazards

We do our best to minimize risks to you and your family when you are visiting; however, we are a working farm and it is impossible to eliminate all hazards.

• Uneven ground: Please exercise caution when walking around the farm — especially in the lower field where there may be potholes, slippery grass, or other tripping hazards.
• Electric fence: We use electric fences to contain our animals and protect them from predators. We try to turn off all sections before CSA pickup; however, to avoid an unpleasant jolt, you should assume that all fences are “hot.” Don’t touch without asking first.
• Farm animals: We raise chickens. They are fascinating to watch and we encourage you to do so. However, we ask that you do not feed them, pet them, or enter their enclosures unless one of the farm staff is present.
• Farm equipment: Please do not climb on, operate, or move any farm equipment or tools.

B.  Children

Visiting is a wonderful experience for the entire family, and we feel that every child should be able to see how their food is grown and how farm animals are raised.  We try to make LAF as family-friendly as possible; however, as outlined above, there are potential hazards for children.

Please supervise your children at all times. If you have older children, please discuss these guidelines with them. When time permits, we enjoy taking the kids on tours of the farm — remind your kids that you or a farm staff member must be with them at all times whenever they leave the distribution area.

C.  Dogs

We love dogs and have a few of our own. However, there are many animals on the farm, as well as other CSA members and their children, who may not be as comfortable around dogs. 

We ask you to assess your own dog — if they are very well-behaved around animals, adults, and children, you may bring them to the farm. Your dog must be on a leash and restrained by you at all times. If they get overly excited by all the farm stimulation, we ask that you return them to your car.

Section 5. Payment

A. Deposit and payment schedule

By selling membership before the growing season, CSA reduces the burden of up-front costs for the farmer. Your membership fees provide us with capital to purchase seed and equipment before the season starts, and we appreciate your commitment.

All shares require a non-refundable $50 deposit for us to hold your spot. Payment can be made via cash, check, payable to Lazy Animal Farm, or venmo, @lazyanimalfarm. 

The balance is due by March 1.

Spring shares are from May-August 

Half shares – $25 week for 12 weeks = $300 

Full shares – $50 week for 12 weeks = $600

Summer/Fall shares are from September-November 

Half shares – $25 week for 6 weeks = $150

Full share – $50 week for 6 weeks = $300

We strongly feel that everyone should have access to the nutritious food we grow at LAF, and we will work with those who would like payments. Please contact us to discuss the options if you or someone you know would like to join our CSA.

B. Cancellation and refund policy

A two-week trial period is offered to confirm suitability, as we understand a CSA Membership is not for everyone and every situation. If you decide to cancel your LAF CSA membership in the first two weeks, we will give you a prorated refund minus the $50 non-refundable deposit. Please allow two to four weeks for your refund.

Section 5. Communication

The best way to communicate with us is via email. Our general email inbox is lazyanimalfarm@gmail.com. If you prefer to call, our phone is (269) 300-7333. We will do our best to respond within 24 hours.

Please contact us with any news of the following: changes to your postal or email address, any week(s) you are unable to pick up your share, dissatisfaction with your share, or anything else you would like us to know.

We will communicate with you by email. When you sign up, you will be added to our distribution list, which we will use to communicate important information about our CSA and farm events. Every week, we will email a newsletter about the crops available, recipe ideas, photos (when available), and other farm-related news.

Though unlikely, LAF reserves the right to change any part of this membership agreement. We will contact you via email in advance of any changes to this agreement.