The Community Supported
Garden
at Genesis Farm

Chronology of the CSG

The first 1/2-acre garden is established. Ground is broken on an additional 1/2-acre. A small greenhouse is built and the vegetables sell through local markets.

The CGS is founded as a not-for-profit corporation ( not charitable). The growing area expands by 1 acre and a second greenhouse is constructed.

Another acre is added to the growing area. Two acres are set up for drip irrigation. Garden staff increases by one and shareholder size increases by 30 shares. One garden area is fenced from deer.

A mechanical spader and a Yeoman plow are purchased, appropriate tools for careful tillage. Another 1/2-acre is added and the second deer fence is built.

The community raises funds for the Garden house with rootcellars and begins construction. Further ground is broken and improved with cover crops for the planned orchard. In autumn, 1 1/4-acres across the road are worked for the first time.

The tools are moved into the new Garden house and the CSG purchases its own tractor. Two-hundred- twenty fruit trees are planted. In autumn, the frame of a new greenhouse goes up.

A few paw paw trees are planted. 2 1/2-acres are fenced in across the road. Tillage starts for another 1 1/4-acres. Corn, winter squash, onions and garlic are planted and cultivated across the road.

A rock picker is purchased and an additional 1 1/4-acres are put under a cover crop for healthy rotation. A new berry patch is planted by the Garden house. A small grinding mill is purchased to make cornmeal.

A skid steer loader is acquired to aid in the handling of manure and compost. Irrigation lines are laid in the orchard in the fall. Office construction begins on the upper floor of the Garden house.

A precision seeder and small cultivating tractor are obtained. The CSG adopts "Rover", the wonderdog, in an effort to keep deer from munching on the field crops. A pension plan is initiated for gardeners.

The first substantial peach harvest occurs and shareholders agree to include all fruits as part of the garden share. A refrigeration unit is installed in one of the root cellars to better maintain storage quality.

The CSG's lease with the Sisters of St. Dominic is expanded to include the 36 acre field on the west side of Silver Lake Road. This allows for healthier crop rotation and permanent improvements.

A new well is dug and an irrigation system put in place to provide water for the big fields on the west side of Silver Lake Road. Blueberries are established and fenced in near the playground.

One mile of deer fencing goes up around all fields on west side of Silver Lake Road. Increased time and energy in the orchard helps produce first harvest of apples. Health insurance is provided for longer term gardeners. .

Members are introduced to other products from neighboring farms. A greenhouse is moved to a more convenient spot near the Gardenhouse.

The core group reorganizes and members form committees. A new bi-weekly newsletter enhances gardener/shareholder communications. An old grain bin is converted for storing winter squash and sweet potatoes.

After one of the wettest years on record, fields are oriented to more closely follow the contour. Solar panels are mounted on the Garden house and work begins on a heated work4shop.

The farm has another wet year. Two diversions are put in to lessen erosion and the first hedgerow is planted in the big field. Workshop is completed while workshare and volunteer help in the garden increase to new levels.

We plant 5 acres of winter grains and acquire fencing for 10+ acres on Chan Moore's land. We purchase a used combine and a structure to protect machines from the elements.

A larger tractor is purchased to help with grain and bean crops. We have our first grain harvest at the Moore farm, and our first distribution of paw paw fruit. A hoop storage building is built at the Moore farm.