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The Farm Comes to Crystal City

Committed to initiatives that are proven to have a positive impact on the environment, the Crystal City Business Improvement District is proud to offer the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) through a partnership with Great Country Farms to employees and residents of Crystal City for the fifth year.

Registration is now open the 2012 Crystal Farms CSA members!

Returning CSA Members - $498.23* ($448.23 + $50 non-refundable deposit)
Sign Up (select the “CSA Half Share Group Site Pickup” ($448.23) or the CSA Full Share Group Site Pickup” ($946.45); you’ll then be asked to log into your account)

New CSA Members - $513.23* ($448.23 + $50 non-refundable deposit + $15 box rental)

Instructions for new CSA Member Sign-Up:

  • Go to the Sign-Up
  • Fill out your name, billing address, email and phone number
  • Select “CSA Half Share Group Site Delivery” or “CSA Full Share Group Site Delivery” from the Membership drop-down.
  • Select “2600 Crystal Drive” from the Group Site drop-down under Home or Group Delivery Members Only

Frequently Asked Questions
2012 Produce List (subject to change)

What is the Crystal City BID-CSA?

The Crystal City BID has reserved "half-shares" from Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA and arranged for a discounted group delivery rate and two convenient pick-up locations in Crystal City. Benefits for members include:

  • 20 weeks of weekly delivery of a 10” x 12” x 14” box and is designed to be enough for a typical 2-person family with an assortment of fresh, local produce.
  • U-Pick Bonus Value starting with strawberries in late May. Amounts are set weekly.
  • Advance notice and first access to u-pick fields.
  • Free Admission to the Farm from April 2nd to November 13th, 2011 for all farm events and festivals.
  • Crop Talk weekly e-newsletter with u-pick bonus amounts, recipes, fun on the farm activities and growing news.
  • 10% discount on u-pick produce over bonus amounts and parties.

What is the Environmental Strategy at the Farm (Organic?)?

Great Country Farms uses both Sustainable growing practices and organic methods. Sustainable practices are more encompassing than organic and address the total impact of farming on the land rather than just whether synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fungicides are used in the growing process. Sustainable practices used at GCF include "no till" planting which uses natural grass as mulch to suppress weeds and does not disturb the soil as much helping with run off and soil development. Compost is used to enrich our soils and leaves and grass clippings are collected from local landscapers which helps keep those renewable resources out of landfills. Drip irrigation rather than overhead irrigation is used and saves water by applying the water to the roots of the plant rather than a large spray broadcast.

GCF is not officially certified organic but all berries are grown using organic methods and the rest of the CSA farm is treated only when in danger of losing a crop. Orchard fruits are sprayed using a less intensive treatment program as needed and only after organic methods have been attempted.

Where do I pick up my Box?

The Crystal Farms – CSA program typically includes two pick-up location options. Currently, only the 2600 Crystal Drive location is available, however, the Crystal City BID continues to work to secure another location in close proximity to last year’s location (2011 Crystal Drive). Once that site is secured all members will be notified and given the option to transfer their pick-up location to the new site.

When Can I Pick-Up My Box?

CSA deliveries will occur every Thursday morning. For the first few weeks, the Crystal City BID will email CSA members upon delivery. Once the delivery team has the route down, they will consistently be delivering at a regularly scheduled time. At that time, the Crystal City BID will only email if there are any anticipated delays or problems with an expected delivery. CSA members MUST pick-up before the end of the day or their shares will be found new homes. You may pick-up your box until 7:00 PM on the day of delivery.

What happens to my box if I can’t pick it up or I forget?

If you know you will be unable to pick-up your share during any given week, you can schedule a temporary hold on your delivery directly through Great Country Farms. Please email them the date of your scheduled absence and the preferred delivery date for your make-up box - CSA@greatcountryfarms.com. Inevitably, there are times when a last minute family or work emergency get in the way of a box pick-up. Rest-assured that your box won’t go to waste as the Crystal City BID has partnered with the Arlington Food Assistance Center to pick-up any excess boxes each week for donation to needy area families.

*Pricing includes tax, a non-refundable deposit of $50 and assumes that you will pay in full at the time of registration. Payment plans are available at additional cost.