Are you open to the public?

Our grounds are open to the public, but please refrain from entering the fields, gardens or farm buildings before getting permission. Vassar Ecological Preserve Website - https://www.vassar.edu/farm

How do I find my way around?

Please refer to this map to help you find your way around the farm.

What are your hours of operation?

Please refer the the office and farm hours on our contact us page for the current hours. Both the farm and the offices are seasonal. During the winter, the farm is closed and the office personnel are available by phone or appointment.

How do I contact you?

Check out our contact us page. You can call us at (845) 516 -1100 or email us at PFPAdmin@farmproject.org.

Do you allow dogs?

Dogs are not permitted in fields at any time, or in the distribution tent while produce is present.

Can anyone do Pick-Your-Own?

Pick-Your-Own is only available for CSA shareholders, including SNAP and Sponsored Share members. Why don't you consider becoming one?

Are you organic?

While we are not certified organic, we do follow organic principles (such as applying compost, cover cropping, crop rotation, and encouraging natural pest predators) and are proud to be Certified Naturally Grown. Please ask us any questions you may have about our growing practices.

What is CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It’s an alternative, locally-based model of food distribution with a diverse history that brings farmers and customers into a relationship. Visit our CSA Home page.

"The CSA's Roots in Black History"

What is a share?

A share is your weekly allotment of produce as a shareholder. The size and variety of your share will depend on the type of share(s) you purchase and the season. Find our share options on our online farm store here.

What is distribution?

Distribution is the weekly market we hold for CSA Shareholders to visit our our farm and select their produce.

All CSA distributions take place in Poughkeepsie, with most taking place under the CSA tent at PFP, at the intersection of Hooker & Raymond. (Look for a brightly-painted barn).

We also hold a weekly distribution in the city of Poughkeepsie; location TBD. Email hellocsa@farmproject.org for more information.

Can I choose what I receive?

Yes! We opperate our distribution market-style so that our Shareholders can slect produce they know they like or want to try.

How much produce will I receive each week?

The amount you receive each week will vary slightly based on the season and the type of share you selected. Whole shares receive 10 units, and half shares receive 5 units. Note that whole and half sizes are available only for full- and fall-season shares only. Winter shares are whole-size only. Full- and fall- season shares can be increased with Pick Your Own crops which are included with your share. To learn which share types offer whole/half and which include PYO, visit our Shares page.

What is a unit?

Samples of units could be: 2 lbs carrots, 2 lbs tomatoes, 3 lbs cucumbers, 1 bunch beets, 1 bunch scallions, 1 head of lettuce, 1 watermelon, 2 garlics, or 3 bell peppers. For more pictures of the vegetables we grow and weekly shares, visit our Shares page.

What is Pick Your Own? How does it work?

In addition to the crops we harvest for you, which you receive at your distribution pick-up, we also grow crops for you to harvest yourself! All full- and fall-season vegetable CSA shares (both whole and half) are entitled to PYO. To learn more about how to participate in PYO and what you’ll be picking, visit our PYO page.

Can CSA members pick herbs?

The farm grows annual herbs such as parsley, basil, dill and cilantro for our CSA members. Some of these are harvested by the farm crew and available in pre-packed shares, while others are included in the Pick Your Own fields.

Due to the increased size of both our CSA membership and the reach of our Educational programming, the meditation gardens (and the herbs grown there) are now being dedicated for use solely in our education programming. This will allow them to remain a vibrant and impactful space for our youth education efforts.

What is a Fruit Share?

Receive 15 weeks of orchard fruit from our friends at Nightingale Farms in Marlboro, NY which includes peaches, apples, pears, plums, grapes and more! For more information, visit our Farm Store page.

What is an Egg Share?

Receive a dozen eggs a week for 23 weeks from our friends at Old Ford Farm in New Paltz, NY. For more information, visit our Shares page.

What is a barter share?

A barter share is a work-trade, where members contribute a certain number of hours or a certain skill set in exchange for a share. To learn more about barter shares, visit our barter share page (coming soon!).

We currently have openings for our Fieldwork barter share, which requires either 1.5 or 3 hours of fieldwork on the farm in exchange for a half or whole share, respectively. To express your interest, please email workshare@farmproject.org and fill out this [[form]]4.

How much does a share cost?

You decide! The cost depends on the type and size of share you select, whether you choose a discount, have a sponsored share membership or are paying using SNAP benefits. All CSA shares require the purchase of a membership. To learn more about available discounts and payment plans, visit our payment and pricing page.

To browse available shares including self-selected discounts, visit our farm store.

Can I use my SNAP benefits?

Yes! SNAP payments are accepted on a weekly basis when picking up your share. To learn more about CSA is a SNAP or visit our payment and pricing page.

What if I lose my SNAP benefits? Will there be a fee?

There is no fee or penalty if your SNAP benefits change. While we hope you will stay with your share for the full season, you are not financially responsible for the remaining weeks of your share if you are unable to continue. If you lose your SNAP benefits and would like to continue with your CSA share, email hellocsa@farmproject.org.

If you don't have SNAP benefits but are interested, you can check if you are eligible for SNAP following a move, change of income, or other life event, visit Dutchess County Community Family Services. You may also apply in person at the DCFS Main Office at 60 Market Street, Poughkeepsie or at Dutchess County Community Action Partnership at 77 Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie. Signing up for a Sponsored Share may also be the way to go. You can find information here.

Where can I get food now?

If you are in need of free food now, there are many places where you can find support. Please visit our Resources page for a detailed list and contact information for emergency food providers in the community.

What is Early Bird?

Early Bird registration happens in October, and is only available to current shareholders. After Early Bird registration closes, regular sign-up (which does not include the bonus pick-up before Thanksgiving) begins. As a thank you to those who have signed up during Early Bird, we offer a free bonus distribution the week before Thanksgiving. To purchase your share, visit the Farm Store. For payment plan members, the first payment is due before the Early Bird distribution to qualify.

When does my share start?

The start-date for your share depends on your share type (May, Full, Fall, Fruit, Winter, Egg, etc) and, if relevant, the location and day of the week you choose. For start and end dates, visit our Shares page.

How long does the CSA run?

Our full season CSA is 23 weeks long, and runs from the first full week of June through the first week of November. In addition, we also offer Fall, Winter, and May shares, as well as add-on shares such as Fruit, Egg, Yogurt & Cheese. For more information, visit our shares page.

When and where do I pick up my share?

Shares will be available for pick-up starting the first week of June at one of two different locations. You may elect to pick up at PFP at 51 Vassar Farm Lane OR at location in the City of Poughkeepsie. Location TBD

If you have purchased a CSA share, expect to receive more information about picking up your share (via the primary shareholder’s email) about 3-4 weeks prior to your start date. Visit our farm store to browse pickup locations, dates and times.

What if I need to miss a pickup?

If you have a planned vacation or other planned, voluntary event, you are welcome and encouraged to make arrangements for a friend or family member to pick up your share instead. Note that if you are paying using SNAP, your friend or family member will need to have SNAP benefits and an EBT card to pick up your share for you. If you unexpectedly need to miss a distribution (due to a religious holiday, medical issue or other emergency), you may fill out the form in the weekly newsletter within 3 days of your missed pickup to arrange for a temporary switch. All shareholders receive 2 temporary switches.

Any shares not picked up will be donated to our neighbors in need as part of our FoodShare program, and won't go to waste.

How do I make sure to not miss important communications?

Add hellocsa@farmproject.org to your contacts!

Also follow us on Instagram @poughkeepsiefarmproject or Facebook @farmproject, where we will post a variety of content including last-minute, weather-related changes to CSA distributions, on the rare occasions where those occur.

Is my online donation secure?

Yes. Your online donation is processed through PayPal in a secure manner. For more information about PayPal's security measures, visit here.

Do you have your 501(c)3 status?

Yes! We've been a 501(c)3 organization since 2004.

Where does my donation go?

When you donate, you can choose what program your donation goes toward. If you do not choose a program, your donation will be allocated towards the area of greatest and will help us further our mission as a whole. When choosing a membership level for the CSA, any amount over the baseline membership fee, counts as a general donation to the organization. The amount of the baseline membership fee goes towards admin expenses.

Will I get a letter confirming my donation?

Yes! If you've donated a dollar amount at or above $250.00 and you've provided a mailing address with your donation, you will get a letter confirming the amount of your donation. If you've made a significant in-kind donation and request a confirmation letter, you will receive a letter confirming the item you have donated. It is up to you to assign your donation's value.

How do I sign up for a farm visit?

You can use this form to sign up for a group visit to the farm. If you'd like to know more about what we do with groups during farm visits, please see our Farm Visits page. If you are an individual and would like a structured farm visit, please contact us.

What should I wear to a farm visit?

You will be most comfortable in clothes that can get dirty, and sneakers or boots. Be sure to wear clothing that's appropriate for the weather, which may include raincoats, hats, sweaters, gloves. Visitors are responsible for providing their own outdoor supplies, such as sunscreen and bugspray and are encouraged to bring any supplies they may need to respond to emergency allergic reatioins (Benadryl, Epipen, etc.) The weather can change and layers are useful. Chaperones as well as youth should be dressed appropriately as all members of a visiting group will be in the field.

Can you help me with my school garden?

Our educators host workshops for teachers and parents starting gardens and can share resources from past garden trainings. Please email education@farmproject.org or see our Growing City Seeds page for more information and resources.

What if I want to learn more about gardening?

On or off farm, we'll help you learn! You can attend on of our upcoming workshops, or you can stop by the farm on Wednesdays from 4-6pm and volunteer in our Seed and/or Medication Gardens for a hands-on gardening experience.

How do I become an apprentice/intern?

Farm interns and apprentices are usually hired by the farm team between seasons. We post these openings on the Careers page in the fall, around late October. Education interns are hired through Vassar's Community Fellows program, and through other participating universities.

When do you post jobs and apprenticeships/internships?

Keep an eye on the Careers page around then. Education internships are posted through Vassar's Community Fellows program. The education team also accepts interns through other colleges and institutions, if available.

I have a special skill and want to volunteer, what now?

Great! Sometimes we need help on the farm with specific projects. Contact us and let us know that you'd like to help out! We'd be happy to talk and see if you can apply your skills to a project for our organization.

How much will I pay for my vegetables?

CSA is a SNAP

Shares purchased using SNAP benefits receive a 50% discount. Shares cost $12/week for a half share or $24/week for a whole share. For more information on these shares, visit our CSA is a SNAP page.

Sponsored Share

A Sponsored Share costs between $5 and $15 per week, depending on what you can afford. You may pay weekly, monthly, or up front at the beginning of the season, and can pay using cash, credit, check, or SNAP/EBT.

When will I receive my vegetables? What will I get in my share?

The distribution process for SNAP and Sponsored Share is identical to all other share options. Sponsored and SNAP-purchased shares are for Full Season shares, which begin the first week of June and run 23 weeks through early November. For answers to these and other questions about your share, learn more about Full-season shares our shares page.

How do I apply for a SNAP-discounted or Sponsored share??

Visit our CSA is a SNAP or visit the farm store to browse shares, fill out the form, and apply for a sponsored share.