Bozeman farm pushes for 200 shares in regional CSA program

Chance Farm’s community supported agriculture program distributes weekly farm goods to shareholders across Gallatin Valley, Big Sky 

By Mario Carr EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Starting on June 12, Bozeman’s Chance Farm will relaunch its community supported agriculture program with six different pickup locations: an on-farm pickup, Steep Mountain Tea House, Last Best Place Brewing, Gallatin Valley YMCA, Root Cellar Foods, and BASE in Big Sky.

For 18 weeks, starting June 12, CSA members can pick up fresh vegetables and extra “value-added” items every week. Members will bring back their empty bag each week, in exchange for a full one. 

For the extra distance to Big Sky, shareholders will pay an additional fee that equates to $6 per pickup. Sales and CSA Manager Valerie Niederer is very excited that Chance Farm has already sold 150 shares in winter and early spring, and is hopeful that they will reach their goal of 200 shares by June 1, to allow ample time to communicate with partnering farms that will provide add-on options. Along with Chance Farm’s vegetables, Niederer wants people to know that they can look forward to seeing some surprise goods in their box throughout the season, including rhubarb, flathead cherries, sweet corn, Kimm’s Organic potatoes, pickles by Roots Kitchen & Cannery and other items created by local producers.

Early season sales make the CSA possible, and by February, Niederer was happy to see 100 shares already sold.

“That’s how we pay for all of the seed, all of the row cover, all of the employees that are seeding that stuff prior to the main season,” she said.

There are currently 27 shares booked to be delivered to BASE, and one Big Sky home delivery—available for an extra fee. Chance Farm is planning on making the deliveries for the BASE pickup location themselves, as they will also be participating in the Big Sky Farmers Market on Wednesdays. The farm’s truck is capable of fitting upwards of 60 shares for the BASE location. Last year, the farm relied on a delivery service for the Big Sky shares, and was not able to send as many as Niederer believed were desired.

“Last year if we would have had the opportunity [to deliver the shares ourselves] we would’ve sold 60 shares easily,” she said.

With a larger delivery capacity to Big Sky, Niederer is hoping to spread the word that Chance Farm can meet demand. She also said that last year, members in Big Sky opted for the add-ons that are offered with their boxes, more than any other pickup location. These add-ons include eggs and sausages from Black Dog Farm, English muffins from Furrow and Fly, SporeAttic Mushrooms and ground beef from Belcrest Farms. Niederer believes that these add-ons are so important and appreciated by the Big Sky community, because of how far community members have to travel for the groceries they want and need.

“Because it is a little bit of a food desert up there,” Niederer said.

Partnerships with other local producers are very important to Chance Farm, and part of the farm’s mission for supporting and building a strong local food network. Niederer explained that the CSA partnership shows that you are willing to support the farm through thick and thin, and that you can consider your membership to be a long-term investment in supporting local and sustainable food.

Chance Farm also runs a work-share program, and is looking for dedicated volunteers that can commit to one, four-hour shift per week, in exchange for a share themselves. Niederer emphasized the importance of returning volunteers because of the skills and knowledge that are needed to complete the tasks.

“They’re gonna be learning like we would be teaching a crew member,” Niederer said. 

However, the farm is also planning on hosting several “big” volunteer days, centered around harvests and jobs that require all hands on deck, for volunteers who can’t commit to a regular schedule. Last year, the farm was delighted to see 50 volunteers for their garlic harvest, which completed a week’s worth of work for the crew, in just a few hours.

The farm also hosts a CSA member appreciation day on a Saturday in late August, where members can be part of a large, potluck style lunch and take a tour of the farm.

“There’s almost unlimited opportunity to find folks that are wanting to support their local farmer, wanting to have fresh local produce, and to have more of a connection with where their food is coming from,” Niederer said.