CSA is an abbreviation of Community Supported Agriculture. A marketing structure that connects small-scale farmers directly to consumers. The origins of this model can be traced back to Dr. Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturist, author and professor at Tuskegee University in the 1970s who used “Clientele Membership Clubs” to help Black southern farmers thrive amidst racist agricultural policies . In this model, members buy “shares” of the harvest in the beginning of the season which support the farmer in having initial income to pay for supplies and labor costs. In return, consumers receive their harvest “shares” throughout the season.

The sliding scale payment model is a way to make participation financially accessible regardless of income while also ensuring we are able to cover basic operational costs including labor involved in growing and tending to the farm. Here is a more in depth explanation of how this model emerged and how it is used to ensure financial accessibility. We invite you to consider what your personal access to wealth is and if this is an opportunity to pay-it forward.

Consider paying more if:

• Own property, or have personal savings/disposable income and do not generally worry about securing necessities.

• You work part-time by choice.

• You travel recreationally.

• You can access family money in times of need.

• You have investments.

• You have received higher education that confers greater earning power.

• You don’t spend most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, childcare, etc

Consider paying less if:

• You struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as healthcare, housing, food, and childcare.

• You live paycheck to paycheck without consistent income/relief

• You are struggling to pay off debt

• You are a single parent or guardian

• You have been incarcerated and targeted by police violence

Thank you to Brooklyn Packers for providing some of this language to describe access to wealth + resources

Sliding scale range:

$125 - 50% discount on CSA share

$250 - true cost of CSA share

$375 - covers 1 true cost share and 1 discounted share

$500 - covers 2 true cost shares

The CSA shares include a variety of herbs harvested at peak potency for your medicine making needs. We aim to include enough herbs to make about 32oz of extractions using fresh herbs which is enough for small batch herbal formulas. In some cases, we may include extra herbs for you to be able to dry and store. Here is a sample of herbs that may be included in your monthly share:

July: chamomile, calendula, za’atar, tulsi, anise hyssop

August: huacatay, epazote, spilanthes, tulsi, spearmint

September: goldenrod, thyme, peppermint, feverfew, lemon balm

October: garlic, marigolds, rue, sage, catmint

November: valerian root, marshmallow root, echinacea root

If you select Brooklyn Pick Up, all shares must be picked up at Brooklyn Supported Agriculture on the following Thursdays from 4-6pm

Thursday July 11, 2024 - 4-6pm

Thursday August 8, 2024 - 4-6pm

Thursday September 12, 2024 - 4-6pm

Thursday October 10, 2024 - 4-6pm

Thursday November 7, 2024 - 4-6pm

Pick up address: 224 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11221 (map)

No late pick up available at this site. Shares that are not picked up by Thursday 6pm will be donated.

If you select Hudson Pick Up, all shares must be picked up at the Hudson Farmers Market on the following dates:

Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 9am-1pm

Saturday, August 10, 2024- 9am-1pm

Saturday, September 14, 2024 - 9am-1pm

Saturday, October 12, 2024 - 9am-1pm

Saturday, November 9, 2024- 9am-1pm

Address: corner of 6th and Columbia Street in Hudson, NY

Late pick up available at the farm. All shares that are not picked up by Monday morning will be donated.

If you select Manhattan Pick Up, all shares must be picked up at Word Up Community Bookshop on the following Tuesdays from 4-7:30pm

Tuesday July 9, 2024 - 4-7:30pm

Tuesday August 6, 2024 - 4-7:30pm

Tuesday September 10, 2024 - 4-7:30pm

Tuesday October 8, 2024 - 4-7:30pm

Tuesday November 5, 2024 - 4:7:30pm

Pick up address: 2113 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10032 (map)

No late pick up available at this site. Shares that are not picked up by Tuesday 7:30pm will be donated.

If you select Troy Pick Up, all shares must be picked up at the Yesfolk Tasting Room on the following dates:

Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 11am-5pm

Saturday, August 10, 2024- 11am-5pm

Saturday, September 14, 2024 - 11am-5pm

Saturday, October 12, 2024 - 11am-5pm

Saturday, November 9, 2024- 11am-5pm

Address: 1467 5th Ave, Troy, NY 12180 (map)

Late pick up available Sunday 11am-5pm. All shares that are not picked up by Sunday afternoon will be donated.

Because we partner with various businesses and organizations that have various schedules and staffitg needs, we are not always able to accommodate late pick ups or make up dates for missed pick ups.

Shares that are not picked up will be donated.

If you are unable to pick up, you can send someone else to pick up for you or let us know ahead of time by emailing amara@ayniherbfarm.com

Join us virtually each month to commune with your fellow CSA community members. This will be a space for us to get to know one another, learn about the plants in each share, share stories, and exchange knowledge we all may hold about the CSA plants of the month. This space will shift month to month as group needs and desires around the space shift.