Frog Holler Organic Farm

How it works | What's in a share? | Cost and pick-up details | Considering a CSA? | FAQ

How it works

Each week you will receive a box filled with fresh, seasonal produce. You may pick up your share either at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market on Saturday, or at the farm on Saturday or Sunday. In a newsletter included with each box, we will share recipes for how to use unfamiliar vegetables or new ways to enjoy old favorites. More information will also be on the web site. If a crop is exceptionally bountiful, your share will reflect that. If the crop falls short, we may have to limit amounts of that crop. Since we grow so many different types of vegetables, there will always be a good supply of fresh, delicious vegetables in your share!

As a CSA member, you'll be first to know about events at Frog Holler. We host a barn party each summer, and two or more work days. You'll also receive two passes to Holler Fest, our three-day music festival that features top Michigan talent, workshops, and fresh organic meals. Find out more at hollerfest.com.

What's in a share?

Since we specialize in salad and cooking greens, you will always find a variety of salad green items (lettuce/spinach/chard/arugula, etc.) in each box. We will also include cooking greens such as Tuscan, Russian or Curly Kale, or Swiss Chard, or Collards each week. In later July, warm weather vegetables such as beans, zucchini and summer squash, and of course tomatoes, will start to appear. We grow many culinary herbs such as basil, dill, thyme, etc., and will also include a selection in your share. Root vegetables such as carrots and beets will be available throughout the season. Onions, potatoes and winter squash arrive in September.

There are two kinds of shares to choose from:
Salad mix share – includes a half-pound of our signature salad mix
Non-salad share – includes a few extra vegetables

CSA 2009 Newsletters

Newsletters open as .PDF files and include details on what vegetables went into each share, plus recipes and farm news.

June 20 - June 27 - July 4 - July 11 - July 18 - July 25 - August 1 - August 8 - August 15 - August 22 - August 29 - September 5 - September 12 - September 19 - September 26 - October 2 - October 10 - October 17

Cost and pick-up details

$450.00 - Pick up your weekly share on Saturday at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market, 315 Detroit Street, stalls 19-21. Pick up by 1:00 PM please! (map)

$400.00 – Pick up your share on Saturday or Sunday at Frog Holler Farm, 11811 Beech Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230 (map)

Registration Form (.PDF) - Please download, print and fill out this form. Make out checks to Frog Holler Farm. Send form and check to: Frog Holler Farm, 11811 Beech Rd., Brooklyn MI 49230.

Questions? Call 517-592-8017 or contact us by email:

Considering a CSA?

Here are some questions that might help you decide if a CSA is right for you.

1. Do you like vegetables? Well, duh, but when you join a CSA, you will receive a 1/2-3/4 bushel box of fresh vegetables every week. Fresh fruits usually comprise an occasional and relatively small amount of a CSA share. If you like your veggies, no problem!

2. Do you like to cook vegetables? Although salad ingredients are generally well-represented in a typical share box, cooking vegetables such as greens, beets, beans, onions and potatoes make up a substantial portion of your box. If you like to cook and eat many meals at home, you'll appreciate the variety and freshness of the cooking vegetables in your share.

3. Do you like surprises? Many members say that part of the fun of being in a CSA is seeing what is in the box each week. We always try to include a balanced representation of the seasonal produce we are harvesting; you won't be surprised by a bushel of okra some week! But satisfied CSA members usually "go with the flow" and plan their meals around what is in the box, rather than requiring specific ingredients.

4. Do you like to try new vegetables? We often include share veggies that might not be widely popular or are used more in other countries. We include them because we like them and believe in their nutritional value. We always include recipes and suggestions in our newsletter to get folks started with any unusual vegetables. Many members report appreciating this expansion of their vegetable horizon!

5. Would you like to feel a little closer to nature's cycles? CSA members experience the seasonal flow of the harvest; peas in June, corn in August. Depending on the weather, some crops will ebb, others may abound. Your share box will reflect the season, the weather, and your farmer's "best shot" at handling the unexpected challenges that inevitably occur during the growing season.

6. Do you like to support local agriculture? The CSA marketing model helps the farmer by providing material support early in the growing season when there are many expenses but little income. Membership also represents a vote of confidence for the farmer and strengthens local agriculture through the increased awareness that members gain.CSA members form a community of support that encourages and stimulates local growers to learn and improve. Would you like to be part of this community of support?

Hopefully these questions have helped you decide!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many does a share feed? The Frog Holler CSA share will feed two adults with a healthy appetite for vegetables. It will accommodate two adults with a moderate vegetable appetite along with two or so kids. If you are uncertain about being able to use all the produce, you might find friends to split the share with, either by divvying up the box each week or taking alternate weeks for the entire share.

2. What if I can’t identify one of the items in a share? A newsletter will accompany each share, listing your share items for that week and providing helpful information for unfamiliar vegetables. Tasty recipes are included in each newsletter, along with updates on farm crops, activities and events. This year, members can opt to receive their newsletter on line; printed versions will also be available at the farm and market stall. Newsletters are archived on our web site, and accessible throughout the season.

3. Is there a work requirement? The Frog Holler Farm CSA does not require members to work on the farm. We will schedule one or two “work parties,” where members are welcome to come out and experience a little of what goes into growing fresh organic produce.

4. Can I visit the farm? During the season, there will be a number of opportunities to visit the farm: designated “work parties”, our annual 4th of July Barn Dance, and of course Holler Fest, our three-day music festival in August. If you and/or your family would like to visit on a non-scheduled occasion, just let us know. Frog Holler is a very special piece of land and we encourage folks to enjoy its natural beauty; however, since we are a working farm, we won’t be able to provide tours for non-scheduled visits. But if you want to come out and take a walk through the woods, let us know.

5. Do you have a payment plan? You may hold your place in the Frog Holler CSA with a $50.00 payment; we appreciate the remainder by May 1. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact us.

6. What if I can’t pick up my share? If you are going to be out of town for a while, we suggest you ask a friend to pick up your share and enjoy the veggies! If it’s a short trip, perhaps a friend can pick up the box and hold it for you. Although we can’t promise an identical box, occasionally we can deliver a box to the Wednesday market if the Saturday pickup is not possible.

If none of these options is available, we appreciate your letting us know ahead of time so that we don’t pack an unnecessary box. And finally, we understand that unexpected events may prevent you from picking up your share; if we don’t see you by 1:00 PM and don’t hear from you, we will donate your share.

7. What is a “salad share”? When you opt for the “salad share” CSA option, each week you will receive one-half pound of Frog Holler Farm’s signature mix of cut, washed and bagged salad greens, herbs and edible flowers. To compensate for the extra value of the salad mix, Salad Share boxes will receive slightly less salad-type veggies in their boxes, i.e., one head of lettuce instead of two, or less edible herbs. If you want the full CSA share but like the idea of some tasty prepared salad greens, you can always purchase additional salad mix at our stall.

8. More questions? Email us! (

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How it works | What's in a share? | Cost and pick-up details | Considering a CSA? | FAQ