Cheese CSA at the North Forty Farm 2013

About us: We live in an urban area just outside Philadelphia where we have bees, fruits/vegetables/flowers, and dairy goats. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats because of their gentle temperament and rich milk high in butterfat. The small size of Nigerian goats also makes them a perfect fit for those who want to raise dairy goats but have limited pasture. Last Spring we also welcomed our first LaMancha goat to the farm, and now have two LaManchas. Honeysuckle and Jade are big girl goats and a constant challenge to our fences and our fruit tree barriers. Our goats are raised on organic grain, local hay and alfalfa, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Anyone who has raised dairy animals knows it is a journey that is not for the faint of heart . . . it involves long hours, finding good homes each year for those babies, lots of dark cold mornings, the occasional heartache, and backbreaking work. — all for very little (if any) money. We raise these goats because we love them and because the mission to make cheese with humanely obtained milk is my life’s work.

What is a CSA? A CSA allows local farmers to develop a relationship of mutual support between themselves, their products, and the community in which they live. The CSA members pay the farmer an annual membership, which helps to cover farm production costs. In turn, members receive a regular share of the products produced at the farm.

What is a cheese CSA? A cheese CSA operates much like a fruit or vegetable CSA. Membership provides regular delivery of artisan cheese and other dairy products while helping to support and sustain a vision of diverse small-scale local farming.

How is our Cheese CSA different? Our CSA may cost a bit more than other cheese CSA’s. Our cost reflects the price of land and added expenses of raising farm animals in an urban area. We are a small operation out of necessity and choice. Our CSA is open to a small number of families each season. We continue to milk all the goats by hand and the cheese is crafted in small batches using herbs and flowers from our garden. The CSA share also includes dairy items other than cheese as well as a sampling of other products from the farm throughout the season as a part of each monthly share (see details below). Each family share also includes discounts on any additional purchased farm products.

Got Milk? The milk used in making all the cheese and other dairy products offered to members of our CSA is from humanely raised animals that graze on pasture. For the most part, all the milk used is organic. The goat milk is from our goats. The cow milk comes from Susie who is part of a family cow share experiment in Huntington Valley, Pa. The cow cream and the sheep milk are from an Amish farm in Chester County. The aged cheeses are made using organic raw milk. The fresh cheeses and other dairy products are made using milk that has been low-heat pasturized.

What do you get? Members will receive their share once every month from June until December. The share is available for pick up on the first or third week of each month. There are several share options available to choose from this year.

1. FULL CHEESE SHARE • NOT AVAILABLE IN 2013 • Cost: $235.00

• one to two 5-7 oz fresh cheeses monthly (i.e. chevre, ricotta, ricotta salata, marinated feta, mold ripened cheese etc.)
• one 5-7 oz aged/hard cheese (examples include manchego, green peppercorn pyrenese, goat cheddar, sheep manchego, romano, cabra al vino, etc)
• Dairy Option of the month (i.e. Herbed cream cheese, fresh salted butter, cow/goat yogurt, kefir, sour cream, etc)
• fresh and prepared items from the farm as available (may include honey, seasonal jam, seasonal savory items, goat milk soap, goat caramel, etc.)
• 10% discount on all other items produced on the farm including jams & preserves, goat milk soap, North Forty Farm honey, tomato sauce and other canned goods, flowers, non-CSA dairy items, beeswax candles
• 10% DISCOUNT on any additional purchased farm products

2. CHEESE SAMPLER SHARE • June to December 2013 • Cost: $120.00

• one 5-7 oz cheese item each month (varies month to month and will include a selection of both hard and soft/fresh cheeses made with a variety of milk and changing monthly)
• Dairy Option of the month (i.e. Herbed cream cheese, fresh salted butter, cow/goat yogurt, kefir, sour cream, etc)
• 10% DISCOUNT on any additional purchased farm products

Farm Product Sampler:

Fresh and prepared items producted on the farm as available which may include honey, seasonal jams, seasonal savory items, goat milk soap, beeswax candle

All CSA members will receive a 20% discount on all offered classes. Details about the topics and dates for 2013 classes will be posted in Spring of 2013 on this website (www.shadyapplegoats.com).

Cheese Pick Up:

Pick up of shares will be at our house located in Flourtown, PA just off Bethlehem Pike and near Ft Washington State Park. Because of the fragile nature of cheese — esp in the heat of the summer — it makes the most sense that pick up is at our house where we can make sure things are well refrigerated and that all members are picking up their shares. I try to arrange CSA Groups based on friend network and location. If you would like help to arrange to be paired with a pick up “buddy” just let me know.

Some common questions:

1. Can I just get a milk share? Yes, as the milk is available this might be possible.
2. What if I want more cheese? You can purchase more cheese and other products as available. Let me know when you email your monthly order in if you want more or a certain item and I will see what I have available.
3. What if I am on vacation and cannot pick up my share? Let me know in advance — we can usually switch your pick up to different time so that you can still get your full share. If you are not able to pick up your share one month and would like to donate it just let me know.