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Union Supported Agriculture [USA] is a project coordinated by Food AND Medicine and the Eastern Maine Labor Council and is based on a "Community Supported Agriculture." USA is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and members who share in the risk and bounty of sustainable agriculture. Members pick up a weekly share of Happy Town Farm's vegetable harvest at an Eastern Maine location. Members pay for their shares at the beginning of the season or work on the farm in exchange for a share. At pick-up sites, members have opportunities to purchase other local foods like eggs, canned goods, and meats. USA acts as a "community union" of people who believe that union values of mutual aid, support and solidarity, together with fair and local food, will make for a more vibrant and healthy community.
What do members enjoy about USA?
"Fresh, nutritious food"..."Organic"..."Helping out local farms"..."Having veggies on a weekly basis"..."Knowing I'm supporting local agriculture"..."Convenient"..."Great people"..."Getting to try different veggies"
SOLIDARITY SHARES
Whether or not you purchase a share for yourself this season, you your organization, or your union local can donate towards a Solidarity Share. Solidarity Shares provide fresh, healthy, organic vegetables for people in our community who cannot afford the full price of a share. In 2009, Solidarity Shares went to child care providers who care for children from low-income families.
WORK SHARES
We highly encourage you to consider doing a Work Share. Participants work at the farm and/or help transport shares for 8 hours each week during the entire 16 week season in exchange for a farm share. No experience is necessary, but work share participants should be committed to the program. While participants can take up to three days off during the season, they need to let somebody know ahead of time so that the farm can make arrangements.
SHARE OPTIONS
Share Type..............Size............Duration........Cost
Veggie Lovers...........4+ people......16 weeks......$400
Height of the Season..4+ people......10 weeks......$260
Not-So-Mini..............2+ people......16 weeks......$250
Mini...........................2+ people......10 weeks......$165
Solidarity Share..........Any.............10-16 wks.....Any
Work Share...............4+ people.....16 weeks..8 hrs/wk
Bouquet Lovers..........1 bouquet......16 weeks.....$105
Mini Bouquet..............1 bouquet......10 weeks......$70
CHOOSE ONE OF TWO PAYMENT OPTIONS:
1. Pay in full when you sign up. Full payments are due June 1, 2010.
2. Pay in up to three installments. The first payment is due May 1, 2010.
3. Pay weekly with EBT when you pick up your share of vegetables. Call 989-5960 for weekly prices.
PICKING UP YOUR SHARE
Choose one of the following Eastern Maine locations to pick up your share:
Brewer - Tuesdays 5-7pm at the Solidarity Center, 20 Ivers Street, Brewer, ME 04412
Bucksport - Tuesdays 5-7pm, the Tyne household , 54 Broadway, Bucksport, ME
Elllsworth - Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at the Ellsworth Farmers' Market
Orland - Tuesdays at Happy Town Farm
Orono/Old Town - Haskell household, 63 Stillwater
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