Signups for the Jan-Apr 2021 season are open now in our online store.

FAQs for the Terra Farma Meat CSA

• What is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and typically refers to a subscription type program where you receive a regular share of farm products for a season, or other specified time period, in exchange for payment at the beginning of the season. This helps the farmer with up-front operating capital and security knowing that their product is already sold.

• I’m familiar with a vegetable CSA, how is a meat CSA different?

While veggie boxes are usually weekly, meat boxes will be a once-a-month pickup, but will still have a variety of meats and cuts.

• What will be in a Terra Farma share?

A typical monthly box will include 10-12 pounds of meat, which may include 2-3 pounds of pork, 2-3 pounds of beef, a whole chicken, an occasional duck, rabbit, and/or guinea fowl. Lamb and goat will also likely be included later in 2020 and certainly in 2021. This variety of meats is one thing we believe sets us apart from any other CSA. You can expect steaks, small roasts, sausages, ground meat, bacon, ham, ribs, and some specialty cuts; some items will make regular appearances while others will rotate in and out. Each month will not look exactly alike.

• How much does it cost?

Each membership period will be 4 months and cost $445.

• Do I get to choose what’s in my monthly share? There’s also an option for a half share for $225; this will be the same 10-12 pounds of meat, but picked up only every other month.

Like most veggie CSAs, each share will be the same, both to make sure we make best use of the entire animal and to give you a chance to try some cuts that you may not have otherwise chosen. However, we do anticipate there will be times when we have smaller quantities of certain cuts, and you may have an option to choose among a couple different individual items.

• What about organ meats? I don’t think I want those in my share.

We are not planning on including organ meats in a normal monthly share, but if that’s something you do want, let us know and we’ll work with you.

• Where will I get the share each month?

We are initially planning on two pickup locations, one at our farm in Corbett and another one in Portland. The Portland location is still being determined but will likely be somewhere in N or NE PDX. They will occur the last week of each month, with some movement possible around major holidays; the on-farm pickups will coincide with our chicken pickups on weekends, and the Portland pickup will be on a weekday evening.

• What if I can’t come to the pickup because I’m out of town?

Ideally, you could have someone come in your place and pick up for you, but if that’s not possible, let us know in advance and we’ll make other arrangements.

• What about add-ons? Eggs? Milk? Turkey?

We are not including these as specific options at this time. For the eggs and milk, since these are perishable items, the logistics of a monthly pickup create distribution difficulties. We would have high demand for these items the week of pickup, but not the rest of the month. However, if we have some available the week of pickup, we will send out a message with options to reserve. Looking to the future, as our membership grows, we will add additional pickup locations and could stagger them through the month to even out demand to create the possibility of a regular add-on.

While our popular Thanksgiving turkeys will not be part of the CSA, we will allow our CSA members first opportunity to reserve one. These do sell out every year, this perk can help ensure you get one.

• Are there any other perks?

Yes, we want to create as much value for you as possible and we really want to build a community of like-minded eaters. We’ll be creating a private Facebook group (I know, we’re not thrilled about Facebook either, but I don’t know of a better alternative that people actually use; willing to hear ideas, though) to share recipes, tips, results, and any other pertinent info. We’re in the planning stages for some low-key farm events, some which may be CSA member exclusive, others where you’d have first chance to sign up. You’ll get a Terra Farma insulated bag to transport your products. Likely more ideas to come.

• Any other questions?

Let us know at terrafarma@comcast.net