Hollow Pumpkin Farm: SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE SINCE 1977
Taking Memberships for 2013 Summer/Fall



Farmer Steve

Farmer Steve
Proud Parent of Beautiful Onions

WELCOME TO HOLLOW PUMPKIN C.S.A.

What is a C.S.A.?

Quite simply, it Stands for Community Supported Agriculture and can be the answer to todays industrialization of America's food supply by bringing the community closer to the source of their food supply.



How does it work?

If a person is interested in becoming a member of our C.S.A they would purchase a full or half share per season prior to the season's start. Pre-payment allows a small independent organic grower, like Steve Smith, the finances to invest in the equipment and materials he needs for the upcoming season. For as low as $15.00 per week your share of produce is distributed (each week) over a 24 week growing season (June through November) for your eating pleasure. Distribution may be achieved via delivery or picked up at a designated distribution site on a designated day at a designated time. Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A. will notify it's members as to which method of distribution will be used for that season as the season grows near. We request minimally 24 to 48 hours notice if you will not be available on the distribution day so that we may make other arrangements with you, within reason. If we do not hear from you and your share does not get picked up on the day of distribution within the time slot specified, your share will be donated to a shelter or another community organization.



*Payment plans are available. Call or email and ask us for information about our "Early Turnip Discount."



Why Join a C.S.A.?

1. It Affords you the most healthy and nutritional produce

available.



2. It supports your local farm and economy.



3. It supports the environment.



4. It allows you a relationship with your local farmer.



5. It allows you to have a voice about the produce and food

you eat.



Things to Consider:



1. Do you enjoy cooking with a variety of seasonal vegetables?

2. Are you willing to share the risks along with the benifits. The farmer may occasionally encounter challenges, such as weather related issues, pests and blights? Eating local and seasonal is different than buying whatever you want whenever you want at a grocery store. It will take some getting use to. However, eating local and seasonal is healthier and absolutely more in sync with the environment.

3. Are you adventurous? Do you like trying new and different vegetables and fruits?

Our Distribution Area:

Steve's farm is located in Anna Illinois, 30 miles South of Carbondale Illinois. Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A's distribution area covers Anna/Jonesboro, areas north of Anna such as Cobden and Makanda up to Carbondale, east to Carterville and Marion, west to Murphysboro. We also will distribute to the Lick Creek area and, of course, south, east and west of Anna within a 20 mile (or so) radius. (We are flexible based on the amount of interest we receive in a particular area and distribution issues can be negotiated within reason.)

Who is Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A.?

Steve Smith is the owner and Head Farmer. Steve has various friends who graciously donate their time when they can and we encourage our C.S.A. members to get a little dirty and come out to the farm and volunteer to work in the fields from time to time.



About Steve Smith

Steve Smith came to Anna Illinois from New York and established the farm in 1977, over 30 years ago, with a strong desire to go back to the land and organically grow vegetables. He succeeded, and became the first viable organic farm in Southern Illinois. Steve is truly a pioneer in organic farming in the region. He is dedicated to providing the Southern Illinois community with fresh, local, ecologically sound produce and he is always excited about sharing his knowledge with everyone, especially the next generation.



To contact Hollow Pumpkin C.S.A. you may email: steve.hollowpumpkin@gmail.com or call (618) 614-2233

Friday, January 28, 2011

Hoops And Ladders







The first item on our list of things to do is to thank Ryan Campbell for coming out yesterday and going through what, seemed to be a frustrating day of starts and stops. As in life, things that seem easy can be deceiving and so it was with the greenhouse yesterday. The bracing had to be readjusted which meant back tracking a bit. In the process of making mistakes we learn and move forward, and so, today Steve, Chris Long, Scott Rogers, Neth Hass and our buddy Phil raised all of the hoops today! A big day on the farm. Thank You to everyone who came out today. Steve and I are truly blessed with good friends and a good community.
A little aside, Chris's dog looked on with approving wags of his tail.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Winter Season Shares


We have been trying to hash out the details for our winter season shares. There is much to think about and decide when it comes to growing produce in Illinois in the winter. We will have green houses to further enhance the possibilities. However, with over 30 years of experience, Steve knows that there are many different variables in the winters in Southern Illinois even with green houses and mulch, and we are going to make sure we do everything possible to have the best produce available for the Winter Shares and not fall short for our members.
First item is the question everyone asks, what vegetables are winter or cold season vegetables? Well, they are your root vegetables like carrots, beets, parsnips, celery root etc. and they are broccoli, greens and lettuces. They can also be storage vegetables like sweet potatoes. We will not try to grow vegetables in the green houses that are not in season. We do not believe that tomatoes, for instance, taste as good when forced to grow in a green house as they otherwise would in the warm sunshine in their proper season.
The type of winter weather we have will also determine availability. A lot of mulching and covering will have to be done for the cold weather vegetables if the temperatures gets too cold, and even that does not guarantee root vegetables will survive.
We will be setting the winter/Cold Shares up separately from the 24 week season we already have. This will give people the option to continue, or extend their membership and will give others an option to join solely in the winter if they prefer. Our current members will have first sign up rights. We do know that it will be run slightly different from the 24 week season. We will be distributing every other week. All vegetables grow more slowly in cold temperatures. The off week will give the vegetables more time to grow. Beyond that, we are still making some decisions. We will be emailing some questions, along with our initial ideas, to our current members. The answers to the questions will assist in finalizing our Winter/Cold season share plan.
There is a reason that many farmers, conventional and organic, have not attempted much of this in Southern Illinois. This year will be a trial year and we will need a lot of our members input and understanding to get this Winter season share section of our C.S.A. up and running smoothly. We will keep everyone posted.

Friday, January 21, 2011

New High Tunnel Greenhouse


We have finally started to put up the new high tunnel greenhouse this month. It is a process, not an event. The weather has slowed Steve and friends down a little bit, but it has not dampened our excitement.
The greenhouse project has shown us what a community is really all about. There are many friends who are helping to make this second greenhouse come to life. So many thank yous will be going out along the way. To kick it all off - The first thank you goes out to Neth Hass our neighbor and friend who is meticulous about measurements and math so he got all the wholes drilled and the stakes spaced out spot on. The second thank you goes to Ryan Campbell who, along with Steve, dragged all of the hoops down to the plot of land we are building the high tunnel on and the two of them put the bracing on the hoops and set them out ready to be erected when the weather breaks.
The greenhouse project also reminds us that spring is right around the corner and the new season begins. It promises to be our best C.S.A. yet and we can't wait!
We will keep updating the greenhouse story so stay tuned.