Fahrmeier Farms

What Is Community Supported Agriculture?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an alliance between farmers and consumers (eaters). Families and individuals who join the CSA receive a share of produce every week during the growing season (mid-May thru October). In exchange, members sign a contract for the season, agree to pay in advance.  Members help the farmers by providing capital and farmers agree to provide customers with produce that is grown responsibly at a fair price.

Benefits to our Consumer

• Accesses to high quality, fresh food - health benefits are well documented. Food from a known source is safer, assurance of good farm practices. 
• Support sustainable agriculture
  • Support genetic diversity - produce sold fresh and local does not have to be bred for storage and shipping characteristics, can be bred for flavor and nutrition
  • Assurance of no genetically modified crops
  • Assurance of organic growing methods - supports long term health of soils, farm systems, and ecosystems that sustain our lives
• Consumer is able to build a relationship with farm and farmer. Connection and access to local food supply is a basic human right.
• Food dollars stay local. This strengthens the local economy, which is beneficial for several reasons:
• Fosters independence and self-determination
• Promotes community cohesion and common vision
• Makes community more immune to crises, less affected by economic swings.
• Local food is not shipped long distances - enormous savings on fuel cost and environmental impact of shipping

Benefits to the Farmer

• Crops can be pre-sold. Helps in making economic and field plans for the year
• No middle man, farmers get better than wholesale price for crops
• Connection to community
• Provides a model that enables small farms to compete in a market dominated by industrial agriculture.

Who Is Fahrmeier Farms and gardens?

The Fahrmeier Farms and Gardens were started in 1947 as a diversified livestock and row crop farm. In 2001, we started the transition to a farm garden and greenhouse business, grown on our farm located in Lafayette Co. near Lexington, Mo.  We are starting a Community Supported Agriculture program after request from some of our current customers. We (Brandon and Bret) farm with our father (Ron) now and raise produce, fruits, flowers, and livestock. We try to sell direct to consumers as much of our products as possible to insure proper handling and the best quality is obtained for you to feed your family and friends.   Our mother (Joan) can also be seen on the weekends along with Brandon’s wife (Mary) and Children (Carly and Chloe) working on the farm.  This year we are opened a Winery on the Farm called Three Trails Winery.  The Winery will offer a larger area for retail as well as a place for small groups to events. We are planning on having local products that are available from other producers for sale as well. The farm is always open for visits and Tours (call for availability on tours).  It is especially fun in the fall with Hayrides, pumpkins, corn maze, and many other fun activities.
  
What is a Share of the Food?

The weekly food share includes an average of 7 to 9 items for full shares, and 4 to 6 for partial shares (less early and late in the season, and more at peak season). A full share should be ample for a family of four or two adults who cook at home regularly and eat a lot of veggies. A partial share is a good size for a single person or two adults who do not cook at home every night. Bulk quantities can be purchased for canning, freezing, and storage. Every week the share of produce will be different depending on the season.

Here are examples of what a full size share might look like:

Spring: baby beets w/greens, green onions, lettuce, kohlrabi, radishes, chives

Summer: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or okra, melons, cucumbers, onions, green beans, summer squash/zucchini, basil, corn

Fall: lettuce, broccoli or cauliflower, cabbage, winter squash, Swiss chard, potatoes, garlic, dill, peaches or red raspberries.

Winter harvest: Assorted winter squashes that can be stored and used over the winter.

Who Can Join?

Membership is open to anyone in the Greater Kansas City Metro area.

You can also start programs and drop offs at your office.  We would love to sit down and discuss us coming to the office and doing a Drop Location.

What Does It Cost?

An initial $50 deposit is required to join. The deposit will hold your place until sign-up in February* and will then be applied to the cost of your share. The CSA is also working on creating a scholarship fund (contact us at the farm for more info.) The share may be paid in full at sign-up or in increments, with the entire balance being due by the end of July. Bulk and special orders are paid for separately when ordered. *Sign up is not limited to February membership sign ups can be prorated if other shares are available.
 

2010 SHARE SIZES & COST

Prices are set in a way that provides you a great value for products that are available from local producers that you know and can visit their farms.
 

A)    Share: Approx. 7-9 items depending on time of season.
Share cost: $600 plus tax for 22 weeks Starting mid May through Oct.
Annual Membership Fee: $50 Total: $650

 B)    ½ Share: Approx. 7-9 items depending on time of season.
Share cost: $300 plus tax for 22 weeks Starting mid May through Oct.
Annual Membership Fee: $50 Total: $350 

C)    Single: Enough for a single person.
Share cost: $200 plus tax for 22 weeks Starting mid May through Oct.
Annual Membership Fee: $50 Total: $250 

How Does It Work?
A Core Group of members helps administer the CSA and provide input. Harvest is on Mondays and Thursdays for Tuesday and Friday Deliveries.  We require at least 10 memberships for an area to justify deliveries, pick ups at the farm are also available.  Pick-up locations are allowed a 10% discount on the membership of their choice.  They are responsible for the acceptance of produce and distribution to members. If 20 + members pick-up at a location, you are able to earn additional discounts.  (Discount is applied after all memberships are paid in full.)  Distribution typically consists of 3.5 hours (4:30 PM – 7:30 PM) unless noted, additional hours up to each location.

FOOD PICKUP
To pick up your share of the harvest you can pick-up at the farm. Members need to choose same approximate time for the season.

Farm: 9364 Mitchell Trail, Lexington Mo. (816-934-2472)
t Mondays: after 1:30 pm & Tuesdays: 8am – 5pm
t Thursdays: after 1:30 pm & Fridays:8 am – 5pm 

Other Locations:

Kansas City River Market:      Saturdays                                                             

Brookside:    Friday Evenings?

Overland Park:  Saturdays, Possible Wednesday if enough interest.

Lee Summit:  A Thyme for everything, Downtown (Friday?)

Still considering location applications: – Warrensburg, Liberty, Independence, Columbia and others.
Other Products:

CSA members will again have the opportunity to purchase shares of other local food products to supplement our vegetables:

t Meat shares: contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text28063 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

t Bread shares: We are interested in feed back from members on interest.

t Eggs: We are interested in feed back from members on interest.

t Milk: Goat and Cow. We are interested in feed back from members on interest.

t Cheese:  Goat and Cow. We are interested in feed back from members on interest.

t Added value: Added valued products that are sourced from local producers (jellies, salsa, salad dressing, etc.).

t Wine: Wine club at Three Trails Winery.

How Do I Join?
An initial $50 deposit is required to join. The deposit will hold your place will then be applied to the cost of your share. We have no limit to shares currently if you would like to be put on the waiting list or create a new delivery point, call us at (816) 934-2472, or contact us @  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  .