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What is a Community Supported Agriculture or CSA?
Human Health Benefits of Pasture Raised Meat and Eggs: 

From: http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/pasture/ 
A growing body of research indicates that pasture-raised meat, eggs, and dairy products are better for consumers' health than conventionally-raised, grain-fed foods. In addition to being lower in calories and total fat, pasture-raised foods have higher levels of vitamins, and a healthier balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats than conventional meat and dairy products. 
Studies have shown that milk from pasture-fed cows has as much as five times the CLA (a “good” type of fatty acid) as milk from grain-fed cows. And meat from pasture-fed cows has from 200 to 500 percent more CLA as a proportion of total fatty acids than meat from cows that eat a primarily grain-based diet. 

Free-range chickens have 21% less total fat, 30% less saturated fat and 28% fewer calories than their factory-farmed counterparts. Eggs from poultry raised on pasture have 10% less fat, 40% more vitamin A and 400% more omega-3's.  

• Smith, Margaret, Mary Swalla and Jim Ennis. “Literature Review of Consumer Research, Publications, and Marketing Communications Related to Pasture-Raised Animal Products and Production Systems.” Iowa State University, Iowa InterFaith Ministries and Midwest Food Alliance. Accessed July 2004.  
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). “Pastured Poultry Products: Summary.” SARE. 1999.  
• Robinson, Jo. Why Grass-fed is Best: The Surprising Benefits of Grass-fed Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products. Vashion, WA: Vashion Island Press. 2000, p 43.

  • First, why eat farm fresh, local or pasture raised - isn't it all the same?
  • What Is A Farm CSA / Buyer's Group?
A Community Supported Agriculture / Buyer's Group is a partnership of mutual commitment between local farmers and the people who consume his / her fresh produce / products. Thus creating a bond between the farm and the community supporting it. Members purchase a "share" 
of the farm's anticipated fresh, high quality food grown by the safest most natural methods possible. In effect, you are "investing" in your neighborhood farmers / ranchers and being "paid back" in a variety of food, farm products etc. By your investment, you have personal farmers / ranchers available to you with some of the freshest, most nutritious and (we believe) tastiest food items available. This is NOT your typical, big commercial, out-of-country shipped-in produce / dairy / meat / chicken / eggs. Our CSA program provides members with a weekly share of ours and other locally grown, freshly harvested, clean and / or sustainably grown produce, meats, eggs and / or fruits on a weekly basis.  

Our members also have a Buyer's Group Order Option for Grass fed, naturally raised beef, 
chicken, eggs and other farm produced products. You choose what you want in which quantities. The order form is updated / changed bi-monthly. *All orders are pre-paid and pre-ordered. 
Pick-up is at the farm. In addition, we provide our members with a cook book, tips and private farm events/experiences to share with family (and friends).

  • CSA Shares

Shares are paid for up front at the beginning of the season. (Yes, we will break the share price 
into payments if needed.) Share dividends run on an 10, 14 or 24 week basis. The number of shares is currently limited to 15 in each category - please sign up soon! Spring / Summer and 
Fall shares are currently being offered for 2012. In most cases, produce is harvested the day or two before or the day of pick-up / delivery and available for pick-up by an appointed time on the appointed day. 

Members pick-up at the farm in Taylors, SC at 708 Old Rutherford Rd or have a pre-arranged delivery schedule. *Home delivery requires extra fee, waiver and strict timed acceptance due to 
the perishable nature of products. Currently the farm is the only pick-up point. 
Other Pick-up locations may be added throughout the season. 
  • On-Farm Pre-Packed Pick-up and Delivered Shares 

With our Pre-packed and Delivered program, a share of the week's / day's harvest is pre-packed in specific share size boxes. Each share size is designed to supplement the vegetable requirements of a specific number of people - from one person to a family / group of 4 to 6 people. A share will consist of a minimum of 5 lbs. of produce. It typically contains 10 to 20 lbs. of produce, fruits and local items.
  • What does Pick-Up Entail?

Each member signs in, transfers the produce / products from the share box to their own re-useable bag/coolers, and takes the fresh produce/products home to their families. The following week, same day, same time, same place, members visit the farm, sign in, and take their variety of veggies / products home again. This process takes place for the entire length of the Share season selected. We may, at a latter date, add Pick Up Hosts (CSA Members) who will open their homes / business for members to pick-up from at certain times. However, for now pick up is only on the farm. With Farm pick up, each member selects a specific scheduled day of the week they wish to pick up. Pre-packed shares are waiting for them in reusable share boxes. Occasionally substitutions will be available for members to swap out. For example, members may want to swap their lettuce for extra eggs, or their onions for extra carrots. Substitutions can not be guaranteed. We make attempts to grow / provide what our members want and like.
  • Delivered Shares 

Currently we are able to deliver shares within a 20 mile radius of the farm for an additional $10/week after which it will be an additional $.30/mile up to 45 mile radius. Please note that deliveries MUST be received by an individual so that they may be refrigerated / frozen immediately. As ability and interest increases, so too will our delivery radius. We will NOT 
be held responsible for the perishable nature of your share should no one be available to 
accept delivery.

Please keep in mind that you are sharing the RISKS involved in farming for CSA Membership along with the CSA Farmers. To minimize the risk of crop failure we will draw from not only our own farm but other local farmers / producers as well. For a complete harvest listing, please 
see the website updates. We will list what we have planted and what is "coming in". 
We will update these as needed. 

We also list the crops / products that we specifically grow. The term "crop failure" 
generally refers to a single crop, not the entire list of crops being grown. For example, 
we might plant 8 successions of tomatoes along with 15 other crops. From those 8 
crops of tomatoes, we may loose a large portion of 1 planting due to inclement weather conditions or pest damage - crop failure - but continue to grow and harvest from 
all the other crops. The same could happen to any particular crop. We may loose all 
8 crops of tomatoes, but still harvest the other 15 crops being grown.  

If we should get a direct hit from a natural disaster, and nothing we planted 
would be harvested - complete crop loss. Crops with short growing seasons - summer 
squashes, lettuces, turnips, radishes, kale, spinach, mustard, arugula, cucumbers, and 
herbs would be immediately replanted and be harvestable in a 45 day range. 
This would seriously shorten the CSA season for members, but not 
leave them empty handed. In addition, because we draw from more than one farm, 
total crop / producer failure for all of us is most unlikely. Currently, we start new 
transplants every two weeks to avoid the likelyhood of "complete crop loss".  

Ideally, this partnership offers the perfect win / win situation to Members and 
their families by giving them the best quality, freshest, widest variety of 
sustainable grown produce and farm products and ensures the survival of the 
local family farm's future by guaranteeing the farmer a fair economic return for 
his / her efforts. 

The basic CSA concept - partnership between Community and Farmer / Rancher- 
shares the staggering financial investment and sometimes loss that farmers have 
(and in the past - suffered alone). Understanding and accepting the financial risk is 
important and membership requires you, the member, to sign an agreement stating 
that you understand the risks and are willing to accept them should there be a disaster 
of ANY nature beyond the Farmer's control.  

Please keep in mind, we aim to provide more rewards than risks. In the unlikely event that all 
of us are hit with an environmental risk that the majority of us can not control, loss of crops 
will be the least of all of our concerns. We have put measures in place to minimize the risks.  
Ideally, members could receive more produce each week than they had expected. 
It is our goal to provide enough to feed / supplement their families as well as provide 
a cook book, family events, time saving tips and opportunities not otherwise available to 
the general public.


The biggest rewards are QUALITY, FRESHNESS, FLAVOR, and FUN. 
Our secondary aim is to encourage our members to be more adventuresome cooks, 
save money, enjoy family time / unique events and hopefully improve their health.

  • Risks & Rewards
  • Our Growing Methods

Although we are not certified organically grown, we grow our edible foods by OMRI / 
sustainable standards and often times exceed those standards. Most of our community 
farmers share our standards. Should conventionally grown produce / products be part of the share, it will be appropriately labeled as such. Due to certain crops having a higher loss risk than others, some items such as sweet corn and peaches will be conventionally grown (with pesticides). 

Terminology as to how we define it:
Certified Organic: Certified grower who grows by OMRI standards (labeled unless grower 
grows less than $5,000 per year).

Naturally Grown / Clean: grown by OMRI standards: NOT certified, following or exceeding organic standards.  May or may not be pursuing certification. 

Minimally grown: Farmer may use a pesticide - applied before fruit has set on plant but 
not after fruit is set OR may use a chemical fertilizer to feed the plant but no pesticides. 
Most likely uses sustainable methods including mulches and compost.
  
Conventionally grown: Pesticide and or chemical fertilizers used. Most likely sprayed throughout growing cycle.  May or may not use compost or other fertilizers.

This in part depends on what we (the farmers) plant and bring to harvest. We attempt to bring a variety to the Shares, not one single item. Please remember this is meant to supplement and encourage local healthy eating. A sample of what is available in season is below. (This may change and expand due to growing conditions and use of greenhouses and cold frames.)

SAMPLE PLANTING SCHEDULE 
(some seasons will overlap)

Winter / Early Spring: 
Irish Potato, English Peas, Onions, Green Onion, Cabbage,  
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Collards, Kale, Baby Salad Greens 

Spring / Cool Weather Crops: 
Beet and Swiss Chard, Carrot, Celery, Cress, Endive,  
Escarole, Lettuce (leaf and other), Mustard, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Turnip 

Spring Planting / after Frost: 
Bean, (Bush and Pole Snap), Cantaloupe, Corn,  
Honeydew, Tomato (many different varieties  
including heirloom and cherry type) 

Late Spring / Early Summer: 
Bean, Lima, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Squash (variety),  
Watermelon 

Early Summer: 
Cow peas, Eggplant, Gourds, Okra, Peanut, Peppers  
(Bell and hot), Pumpkin, Sweet Potato 

Fall - Cool Weather: 
Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Collard, Garlic, Kale, Leaf Lettuce, Mustard, Onion, Radish, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Turnips 

***We also may / will choose to include local fruits such as figs, blackberries, 
blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cantaloupe, honeydew, pears, apples, pumpkins, baked or canned jams/jellies/chow chow, local honey or farm fresh eggs in your share.

  • What Seasonal Vegetables Can We Expect?
  • What is the Pricing?
2012 Mini Miracles Farm CSA Prices and discounts:

Veggie / Fruit / Egg Share:

This year, shares are all one size and are designed to supplement 3-6 people per week who eat fruits and veggies as regular sides or 2-4 people who eat primarily fruits and veggies. Families of less than 3 are encouraged to split their share or take advantage of the cook book / storage tips to extend their fresh local eating. This may be the best value of all – stretch your food dollar past your share weeks! Typically, we try to include at least 1-2 fruits per week as available seasonally. Shares will generally have 6 + different items for variety weekly.
 The numbers of shares is limited and on a first come first serve basis. 
Please do not hesitate to sign up!


– YES, we can make payment arrangements for you if needed. 

In addition there will be Seasonal local “value added” items. These may range from honey, jams, jellies, ciders, applesauce, soup starters, dry goods (locally milled), breads, cakes, baked goods, pasture raised eggs, additional fruits, potted herbs, spices, pumpkins, flowers, tickets to farm events, etc. We are excited about our new farmer / producer partnerships, we believe you will be too! 

* Members receive a Cook book with recipes, storage and preparation tips in their first share. 

•Spring / Summer (14 weeks) $490*
[Pk. up starts first week of May and ends first week of August]

•Fall (10 weeks) $350*
[Pick up starts the first week of September and ends the 2nd week of November]

•Full Season (24 weeks) $768*
[Pick up starts first week of May, with a 3 week break in August and ends 2nd week in November]

•Winter shares TBA in June.

•* VEGGIE SHARE PRICES BEFORE DISCOUNTS

* Early Bird and Referral Discounts: (May not exceed $250 of total share price for Spring / Summer and Full Season shares). Fall Shares may not exceed $200 in discounts.)  

    1) $50.00 discount if paid in full by February 20th 2012.
    2) $50.00 discount if refer a friend who signs and has paid half of their share by 
                    February 20th 2012 (up to 2 referrals may apply).
    3) $50.00 discount for returning members (previous year members only).
    4) $50.00 discount Full Season share (24 weeks) paid by February 20th 2012.
    5) $50.00 discount applied to Veggie share if invest in both Meat and Veggie shares.

* Example 1: Full season share $768 - $200 in discounts (or more) = $568/24 weeks 
= $23.66 per week for fresh local foods, feeding a family of 4 to 6 persons. 

* Example 2: Spring Summer share $490 - $200 in discounts (or more) = $290/14 weeks 
= $20.71 per week for fresh local foods, feeding a family of 4 to 6 persons 
or extending the share season for family of less than 3 people.

*DISCOUNTS CURRENTLY APPLY TOWARDS VEGGIE / FRUIT / EGG SHARES ONLY*
  • How do I sign Up?

  • Call and Come by the farm: 

864-968-9678 or 864-438-7147 (cell)

We are located at 708 Old Rutherford Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 behind the Dental office
across from Spinx off Hwy. 290 near the Greer Greenville Tech campus.

Currently we are there Tuesdays and Thursdays (dry weather) from 2:30 - 6:00 pm
and by appointment. We will have sign up forms at the farm. 

  • By Mail / Email

Hit the contact Us button on the Home page, email us your request for the sign up 
application.  Please also include your phone number. 
We will email to you as an attachment, you print, fill in and bring by or mail 
with payment​. ***DO NOT MAIL CASH

  • Download 

We are working on posting here on the site - please check the menu bar.

  • Electronically 

​If you would like to purchase through credit card / Pay pal you may click on the buttons 
below. Be sure to add a daytime phone number that we may contact you at to finish paperwork in person. We will want to meet you at the farm to ensure we have all of your preferences and information. Currently we CAN NOT take credit card payments at the farm only through this site. At the farm we can take local checks and cash only. Thank you.  

 YES!  We think some of the best!

Our MEAT shares: 

  • Our animals are raised and processed humanely. They are raised on grass without antibiotics, growth hormones, or herbicides.  We do NOT utilize confinement feed lot practices. We do rotate our pastures for the cleanest grass feeding possible.

  • Same pricing as Veggie, Fruit / Eggs; for 10, 14, and 24 week shares. Share length is not limited to season (Spring/Summer/Fall). Shares typically include a minimum of 5 lbs / per week. Variance from this would be in case of higher priced cuts of meat for example, rib eye steak versus ground beef. In this case $ value would prevail. Every effort is made to reach or exceed your $ / week value. 

  • 10 week (min 50 lbs.) = $350,  14 week (min 70 lbs.) = $490,  24 weeks (min 120 lbs.) = $768.

  • Seasonal variety of different cuts of Grass fed Beef, Chicken, **pork, **lamb, **rabbit  
               ** only if you indicate that you would want these products.

  • Cuts of Beef may include: ground beef, cube steak, stew meat, steak, roast
  • Cuts of Pork may include: pork roast, pork chops, ribs, or sausage (mild)
  • Chickens are currently whole for roasting or crock pot. We can instruct you in cutting your bird into pieces for separate cooking.  

We may be offering free range Turkeys this year - more TBA
  • Do you offer Meat?
If you need to make payment arrangements or anticipate using a discount but still want to "hold" your share, please choose the buttons below. This allows us to assign a share to you and you will NOT miss out. Shares are not considered "taken" until some form of payment accompanies them. Early Bird discount expires Feb. 20th. Payment arrangements are customizable - please contact us! Once shares are sold they are not refundable - we can transfer them if you wish to gift them.