Wild River Organic Farm membership information 2008
How to join
To join, fill out and return the enrollment and product request forms and pay the membership fee to Wild River Organic Farm (WROF). It is important to note that the product request form is not an order, but a tool to help us plan the farm. You are not bound by the products you request. We may not grow all of the produce on the request form, depending upon interest.
Membership fees
Membership fees are based on a sliding scale of $75 to $150 if received by May 11th, and $95 to $170 after that date. This fee will be credited toward produce once the farm starts producing. In other words, if you pay $125 for your membership, you will have a prepaid credit of $125 worth of produce. The prepaid credit is redeemed at weekly harvest times. After you have recouped your membership fee, we ask that you pay for produce when you pick up your order. (See more info on pricing below.) This upfront payment helps to support the farm by defraying the cost of preparing the farm and planting. We don’t want to turn anyone away for lack of funds, so please talk to us to work out another arrangement if the fee is not doable for you.
How membership works
WROF will compile the product request forms to determine what to grow this season. WROF will then send a list to members of produce to be grown throughout the season, as well as the approximate harvest time. Once the produce is in (starting in early June), we will send you a weekly list of what is available and you can put your order in via phone or email. We will reserve the produce you order and have it ready for you to pick up (or we may deliver it for a fee, please let us know if you would be interested in delivery). You will pay for your order when you pick it up if you have already recouped your membership fee (see more info on pricing below). There is never an obligation to buy, buy what you want when you want. Simple!
Benefits of membership
Members will have a hand in planning the farm. Members will be able to order what they need when they need it. We will also be growing a number of staple crops including beans, corn, potatoes and squash, so that members can put them up for the winter. Members can plan on having their produce ready for them on an appointed day at a central location. You will be a part of creating and developing a sustainable and stable local food source. Local, organic food provided in an efficient and easy manner.
We believe that this model will benefit the farm and the planet, too. The membership fee is applied entirely to the production of food, helping to defray some of the cost of getting things up and going. Growing what is requested in the community will help the farm efficiently meet the needs of the members with less food waste and more sustainability. We’ll cut down on carbon consumption by keeping it local to the IV. While the Grower’s Market in GP is a great thing, it doesn’t make sense for our neighbors to drive there to buy produce grown a mile from CJ. Read more below about the mutual benefits of the Community Supported Agriculture below.
Farm Produce
We are committed to providing quality, organic produce to our members. We are not yet certified organic, but we grow all food according to Oregon Tilth Standards. While we will try to meet your needs throughout the season, farming is not predictable and some crops may not do as well as others. WROF reserves the right to limit the quantities of some items to ensure enough for all members.
Produce Pricing
Our produce prices will be within 15% of the current listed Organically Grown Coop wholesale price. This ensures that the price is fair to both the members and the farm.
About Us
This is the debut season of Wild River Organic Farm. The farm is located 1 mile east of Cave Junction on Caves Hwy. We have farmed in Grants Pass for 5 years, while living in the Illinois Valley. In GP, we had an organic U-pick strawberry field and have farmed organic melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more. After buying property in 2006, we are moving our farming operation closer to home this year.
We are inspired by the idea of creating a sustainable, local organic food base in the Illinois Valley. We believe it is more important than ever to know where your food comes from and to support each other in a venture toward sustainability.
About Community Supported Agriculture (The following info is from www.localharvest.org.)
“CSA reflects an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local consumers; develop a regional food supply and strong local economy; maintain a sense of community; encourage land stewardship; and honor the knowledge and experience of growers and producers working with small to medium farms. CSA is a unique model of local agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms…
CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food... CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.
This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.”
Jerry and Amy Lapora invite you to become a member our new endeavor - Wild River Organic Farm. 
