Choosing the right CSA

I googled CSAs in my town. Yep, that's how I found this one. I started by looking at the website of my kooky granola-crunching grocery store and they didn't have any info on CSAs. So I turned to by BFF Google. Turns out there were a few in town. However, most didn't allow you to split a share and I wasn't ready for a full share (for you noobs like me- a full share can feed a family of 4). Others were full year CSAs and required full payment up front (over $1000). Having just moved and spent money on getting a good apartment, I wasn't ready to ante-up that much. 

Then I found that my university (where I work) had a student run organic farm. Here's what I liked about them:

-student run (I'm an educator so that's a big plus)

-can split a share

-multiple types of CSAs (full year, summer, etc)

-optional add ons but not required (milk, eggs, cut flowers, etc)

I contacted them and asked to become a member. Do you know what they told me?

THERE IS A WAITING LIST OF UP TO A YEAR!

Well, that worked for me. I was able to sign up without feeling like I was really committing. I could withdraw my application later if I really didn't want to do it. 

It really did take a year. I applied in April 2013 and in February 2014 I was informed I was on the list for the summer 2014 CSA. I decided that a summer commitment was better than a full year commitment and I was excited that I could share with someone. I found a co-worker willing to split the share and I sent in the money ($750 for a 20 week CSA share- June thru Oct).