2024 Membership Options
Looking to make a promise to yourself to shop local, eat healthy, and connect with your community? Joining a farm membership program is probably for you.
Enrollment is now open for 2024 Free Choice Farm Shares
A membership is right for you if
You shop weekly at the Blacksburg Farmers Market (or would like to!)
Clean eating is important for you or your whole family.
You want to help a local farm get a strong start to the season
You love Salads, Herbs, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Microgreens, Dressings
You already know how much you love Kat The Farmer products
You like the idea of a CSA, but you want to pick out your own products each week
You typically spend $10-20 per week at the Kat The Farmer booth (or would like to!)
Why we offer memberships
To save money. Every time a customer swipes a traditional credit card at market we pay the credit card companies on a per transaction and % basis. On the other hand, when you use your Kat The Farmer debit card there is no processing fee no matter how large, small, or many your transactions are.
Spring income is key to keeping the farm financially viable. In spring we buy seeds, hire employees and do loads of work way before the first harvest day arrives, so springtime membership sales help us keep trucking!
Because we love our dedicated customers- its the backbone of our business and a small way to do a nice thing for one another.
FAQ
I get a farm debit card?
Yes!, your personal Kat The Farmer debit card will be mailed to you. You can reload or check your balance on our website at any time, or in person at the market. Ideally you will try to pre-purchase an amount you will reasonably spend in a year- but funds will roll over to the next year if they remain. No refunds are given.
Is there an Early Bird Discount?
Yes! Those whose payments are postmarked before April 1st get an extra 10% credit added to their cards.
What are your growing practices?
All produce grown on the farm is Certified Naturally Grown, meaning it is grown according to the same guidelines as organic, and our practices, inputs and seeds are inspected by a peer farmer from that program each season. Customers are welcome to observe the inspection process. Here are some of the main highlights of my growing practices:
No GMOs or Treated Seeds, never ever.
No Synthetic Chemicals, I only use naturally derived inputs. pests are primarily managed through prevention, selection and diversity.
Annual Peer-Farmer Inspection, required as part of Certified Naturally Grown
Contaminant Free (field, pack shack, and practices are designed with food safety in mind).
Pollinator Friendly habitat is maintained to invite pollinators to forage on the farm
Full Transparency: Curious about my fertilizer, seed variety, or cultural practice- Just ask!
What products are available for purchase in 2024?
Greens: Mache, Lettuce Mix, Spinach, Everything Mix, Chicory Mix, Frisee, Baby Kale, Baby greens mix, Arugula, Radicchios, Mini-head lettuce (little gem)
Microgreens: Broccoli, Pea, Sunflower, Amaranth, Mild Mix, Spicy Mix, Radish Mix, Salad Confetti, Edible Flowers
Veggies: Scallions, Cherry Tomatoes, Paste Tomatoes, Grape Tomatoes, English Cucumbers, Cocktail Cucumbers, Radishes, Daikons, Garlic, Broccolini
Herbs: Rosemary, Sage, German Thyme, Silver Thyme, Orange Thyme, Garlic Chive, Common Chive, Basil, Parsley, Sorrel, Fenugreek, Cilantro, Dill, Garlic Scapes.
Value Added Products: Pesto, Maple Mustard Dressings, Lemon Garlic Dressings, Herb Garden Dressing. (note: salad kits are on hold until further notice)
Other: Your farm debit card will also work for any merchandise or farm events we offer
When does it start and end?
The market season for Kat The Farmer will being in May and run Through November. (but we may start early/ run late depending on how the crops look!). We attend most markets, but skip Saturday Aug 3rd.
Where can I use my card?
This season, the only place we offer Free Choice members a shopping experience is at the Saturday Blacksburg Farmers Market. For the best selection, arrive early. In past seasons we have offered drop sites, and pre-orders but we have cut that out for 2024.
How do I Enroll?
Step 1: Fill out the enrollment form & submit
Step 2. Mail payment (check, cash, money order) to Kat The Farmer 407 Diamond Knob Road, Check VA 24072.
Step 3: Once payment is received, cards will be mailed to your home! You’ll be added to our weekly newsletter list and when the season begins we will let you know what is coming to market each week!
