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

Monday, November 7, 2011

Here They Are: The 2011 Hollow Pumpkin Farm Volunteers

2011 Hollow Pumpkin Farm Volunteers!
Last evening Steve and I held a Thank You dinner for all of the 2011 farm volunteers.  We were tickled pink to have most of our 2011 volunteers come out to the farm last evening to share a meal with us.  We love bringing folks together and many of our volunteers got to meet each other last evening.  Not all of our volunteers could make it so the photo is not complete. We would like to give a shout out to:  Chris and Caroll Long, Mike Long and his lovely wife Julia who recently gave birth to their second child.  Betsy Herman and her son Noah, Orlan Mays, Patty Weyhrich and Jordan McCoy, who did come out to the dinner but did not make it into the group photo. Lisa Barnes and Talia Cruz, If we have forgotten anyone we hope you will forgive us.  We cannot do what we do without you!  Each volunteer brings their own skills and knowledge with them and each and everyone of them worked their butts off when they were out here.

If anyone is interested in volunteering to work on the farm and learn about organic farming and bring home some great veggies - please contact Steve and Fran at:  fran.hollowpumpkin@gmail.com or call:  (618) 697-6154 or (618) 614-2233.  Remember - We can make our  community and region sustainable, our food banks and the most needy of us fed if we help each other!

Steve Smith and Fran Jaffe

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Food: Local Sustainability and Helping Each Other and the Community

Finally, a new post.  We are coming to the end of the 2011 Summer/Fall section.  There are three more distributions.  We are gearing up for the new Winter/Fall section which begins on January 11th 2012.  We are only taking 12 members for the first year of this section.  There are 6 more slots left.  If anyone is interested in receiving a detailed sheet about our various packages please email:  fran.hollowpumpkin@gmail.com and we will send you all of the information.  Deadline for payment for the Winter/Spring section alone is December 1st of 2011.

As some of you may know, Fran has been involved with the "Occupy" movement. Since the beginning of Hollow Pumpkin's history, Steve has always been a contributor to the Food Pantry and to Good Samaritan as well as truly sharing with his neighbors in the Anna region and beyond. One of the things the Carbondale section of the Occupy movement has been focusing on is how to improve our communities sustainability, work on local issues and to create an inclusive atmosphere.  One of the focuses is about the depletion of our regional food banks and how to feed our community in need.  To that end there is a section of "Occupy" that is called Occupy Hunger Southern Illinois.  We would like to pass some information onto our readers about this local collective of farms, organizations and individuals.  There are roles to play by farms and organizations but we will focus on the role of the individual today.

Here are some suggestions, from Occupy Hunger, as to how individuals can contribute to this effort:

1. Grow your own food - plant more than you need and donate the excess.
2.  Help your neighbors do the same
3.  Try new crops and give the excess away
4.  What you don't grow, buy from local producers when possible
5.  Purchase extra items, even if it is a small amount or a few extra cans or packages of something, at the farmers market or when you shop, at the Co-op for instance, and donate to your local charity/food bank or get in touch with Occupy Hunger at www.occupyhungersoil.blogspot.com and find out if they are collecting to do a mass distribution and bring your extra items to their drop point.
6.  Don't buy GMO food or seed
7.  Volunteer to transport food to the local food banks and other items needed. (contact Occupy Hunger)
8.  Volunteer to work for one of the producers (Farms) in the region!

These are just some of the ways we, as a community can become self sustaining and sustainable for the benefit of the environment, community and each of ourselves individually.  (Not to mention the health benefits.)  If we help each other we help ourselves!

To address the 8th item on the above list - Steve and I have been very blessed here on Hollow Pumpkin Farm this 2011 season.  We have had many, many volunteers come out to help all of whom showed an interest in learning about organic farming and helping Steve in the process.  Steve has had a lot of fun sharing his knowledge and friendship with this marvelous group of individuals.  We will have photo's of most of them in our next posting after this evenings Volunteer Thank You Dinner.  Stay tuned.