Porter Farms: Pioneers in Organic Farming for Over 60 Years
Owned and farmed by the Porter family for over six decades, Porter Farms in Elba, NY, is a certified organic produce farm. Their commitment to organic methods, including crop rotation, cover crops, and no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, has solidified their reputation in the industry. Learn about their certification process, CSA program, and the benefits of supporting local organic farming.
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Porter Farms Certified Organic Produce Elba, NY
ABOUT US Owned and farmed by the Porter family for over 60 years Pioneers in organic farming; certified organic since 1990 We farm approximately 500 acres, 100 of which are in vegetables 2016 marks the 21st Anniversary of our over 1000 member Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)
COMMITMENT TO ORGANIC METHODS Jack Porter Instrumental in determining organic criteria for NOFA-NY (helped to write regulations) Steve Porter - Board member of Organic Farming Research Foundation (Nat l organization in CA) Promotes research in organic farming Work on research projects in cooperation with Cornell University
ORGANIC FARMING METHODS NO synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge NO conventional pesticides NO bioengineering or ionized radiation Crop Rotation (biodiversity, disease/insect control) Cover Crops add nitrogen to the soil, improve soil structure to prevent erosion, weed control (rye, clover, soybeans, alfalfa) Application of compost/fertilizer (no raw manure) Plastic Mulching (onions) Predatory Insects Buffer Zones
CERTIFICATION PROCESS Must meet USDA standards; certified by NOFA-NY Annual, very detailed process; fees All fields and facilities are visited by auditor Inspector reviews past 5 years crop records: What was planted, including cover crops Seed purchases (must be organic) What was sprayed Soil analysis Cultivation and harvest records Where was produce sold (end user) Ground water tested annually by NY DOH
WHAT IS A 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 farmers. Members help pay for seeds, compost, irrigation supplies, equipment maintenance, fuel, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, fresh, healthy, organically-grown produce throughout the growing season.
BENEFITS OF CSA Connects the consumer with local farmers, builds community relationships & boosts local economy Fresh, organic vegetables taste better & have higher nutritional value (most produce travels an average of 1300 miles and sits for weeks or months in storage before arriving at grocery stores)
OUR CSA 22 week program from mid-June to mid- November Approximately 10 pounds of vegetables per week, 6 8 varieties depending on time of season All shares are identical; enough for 2 vegetarians or a family of 4 HR will keep a list of employees interested in splitting a share
VARIETIES OFFERED Apples (?) Green Beans Summer Squash Beets (several varieties) Kale Swiss Chard Bok Choy Kohlrabi Tomatoes (many varieties) Broccoli Leeks Turnips Broccoli Rabe Lettuce (many varieties) Watermelon red & yellow Cabbage red & green Onions (yellow and red) Winter Squash (many varieties) Peaches (?) Cantaloupe Zucchini Carrots (?) Pears (?) Collard Greens Peppers (many varieties) No: Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Strawberries or Herbs Cucumbers Pumpkins Eggplant Spinach
HOW IT WORKS Produce is harvested on Wednesday and bags are packed at the farm early Thursday morning. Porter Farms delivers onsite at Canisius on a week day. Specific day/time TBD. Once established, delivery times are firm. Canisius will not hold your bag. Any bags remaining will be donated. You will be asked to sign off on a checklist to confirm receipt of your bag.
COMMUNICATIONS Each Thursday, you will receive an email from the Farm regarding what will be in the bag that week. Each Friday, an electronic newsletter will be sent. The newsletter includes Farm news, including how the weather and other conditions are impacting our offerings. We also include photos, program updates, storage suggestions and recipes for how to prepare your produce. The newsletter is our main form of communication with our members we ask that you please take the time to read it weekly.
ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL Each year, Porter Farms hosts a Fall Festival that includes hayride tours of the farm, animals, crafts, and a potluck dinner. This is a fun way to see where your food is grown, meet other CSA members and the Porter family and workers!
2016 PRICING $425 for worksite delivery to Canisius; $400 for Saturday distribution in your neighborhood We will pro-rate the price for members who join after the start date
GUEST BAG If you or a friend are interested in our CSA, try a bag FREE for one week! Simply contact the farm and let us know the distribution date/site most convenient for pick up If you decide to join after the season has started, we will pro-rate the cost of your share.
JOINING Please fill out a Porter Farms @ Work Canisius membership form and return the completed form with a check (payable to Porter Farms) to the Human Resources Department. Your check will be held until our participation goals are met. You may indicate on your form whether you d prefer worksite delivery onlyor if you re interested in the standard neighborhood Saturday distribution, if worksite delivery is not an option. Your cancelled check will be your only receipt.
BUFFALO AREA DISTRIBUTION SITES Alden Amherst (3) Buffalo City (5) Cheektowaga Clarence (2) Grand Island Lockport Hamburg Kenmore (2) Tonawanda Wheatfield West Seneca Youngstown Williamsville Our farm! Convenient locations in your neighborhood!
START DATE If participation goals are met, we anticipate starting deliveries to Canisius on Thursday, June 23. We will need to evaluate our crops in early June to confirm a start date. The program will run for 22 weeks to mid-November. Closer to our start date, you will receive an email from Porter Farms regarding the specific delivery process and an exact start date. Porter Farms @ Work fresh. local. organic. CONVENIENT!
