Flower Share CSA Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Flower Share CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and is a type of subscription designed to support both its members and the farm. When you purchase a Flower Share CSA, you are investing in a “share” of the flower harvests for the coming season. You will receive gorgeous bouquets biweekly or monthly for the duration of the CSA you sign up for. CSA members make their purchases during the off-season, usually in the winter and early spring, before the growing season gets started. This helps the farm afford the numerous and expensive costs in the off-season, when there is normally very limited cash flow, such as bulbs, seeds, equipment, and more! Share members get to experience the true beauty of freshly harvested, high-quality seasonal flowers that are hardly ever found in retail or grocery stores. Farm fresh flowers are so much more beautiful and are much higher quality than imported grocery store flowers! See my page on “Why Local Flowers?” for more info.

What are the benefits of being a CSA member?

  • Gorgeous mixed bouquets delivered to your door!

  • You get spoiled with my best blooms because you chose to invest and help keep my little farm growing!

  • The knowledge of how and where your flowers are grown and a personal relationship with your farmer.

  • Save $$ & time by getting flowers delivered to your door!

  • You will also receive a coupon code that you can use towards your next purchase!

I’m out of town/on vacation, can I reschedule my delivery?

If you won't be at home during the week of delivery, you can choose to gift the bouquet to someone else. Please note that I will not be able to redeliver the bouquet if you are not home or if a vase with water is not left out for delivery. Although I try to bring extra vases, it is not feasible to supply vases at every house and it can slow down my deliveries. In case you need to miss a delivery, I strongly suggest sending a friend or family member to pick up your flowers. This way, you can brighten their entire week. Otherwise, you will have to forfeit your share for that week.

How are the bouquets packaged?

Bouquets are wrapped in recyclable brown craft paper sleeves to protect your blooms during transit.

How do I care for my bouquet?

Go to my page “Cut Flower Care” to learn how to give your bouquet the longest vase life!

How long do the flowers typically last?

Flower life varies greatly due to the variety of flowers and care. The typical flower should last 5 - 7 days. Flowers like iris, cosmos, and dahlias are exquisite but tend to have a shorter vase life. I encourage you to pull these from the bouquet as they fade. Retrim the rest of your flower stems and refresh the water every few days to keep enjoying the remainder of the bouquet.

How do I gift a flower share CSA?

Yes, a season of flowers can make an excellent gift, especially for those who are difficult to shop for. When checking out, simply select the gift option and add a flower CSA to your online shopping cart. If you prefer a physical card, I can mail you a beautiful "Flower Share CSA Gift Certificate" to give to your loved one for the holidays or a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary. Additionally, I can include a mini card with their first bouquet delivery that features your message.

I purchased a share. When will it start?

Our start date is approximate based on the weather, especially in the Spring. Our season usually begins in mid-April with tulips and other spring flowers, but sometimes may be pushed back to May if we are having a cold spring. Please be patient, we are working with Mother Nature!

Weekly Newsletter/Communications

Make sure to add contact@mistymeadowsflowerfarm.com to your email list so I don’t end up in your spam folder. Also, during check out be sure to add an up-to-date phone number that accepts texts so I can remind the recipient that their bouquet is coming! I usually try to send out texts the night before or morning of delivery. Once I know how many CSA members will take part in the 2024 season, I will email in the spring with the tentative delivery schedule.

I provide delivery services along the NYS Hwy 166 corridor, covering the towns of Cherry Valley to Milford, and Route 28, including the towns of Cooperstown to Oneonta. (Refer to the map photo for more information.) If your location falls outside of these areas, kindly send me an email to confirm whether I can deliver to your address.

Delivery Fee: For your convenience and transparency, I would like to explain the delivery fee for your home or business order. Depending on your location, the standard delivery fee ranges from $15 and up. However, since you are part of the CSA, you will receive a discounted delivery rate of $5 per delivery. Please note that this fee, along with applicable taxes, will be added during checkout.

By Purchasing a CSA you agree to the following Terms & Conditions:

PAYMENT
I understand that once I sign up and pay for my CSA membership in full, I have secured my place in the CSA for the season. There are no refunds, either full or partial, for cancellation of my CSA once purchased. Members may transfer their membership to a friend or family member.

START DATE
I understand that the start of each CSA share is flexible and based on seasonal conditions and product availability. I am aware that Misty Meadows Flower Farm will communicate via email & text to inform CSA members of updates and start dates, and that it is my responsibility to contact the farm via email if I am not receiving notifications near the specified CSA start dates. I understand I need to add: contact@mistymeadowsflowerfarm.com to my contact list so emails do not end up in spam.

I understand that my share will be delivered bi-weekly or monthly to my home or business upon purchasing my CSA. If I am out of town or unable to pick up my CSA for any reason, I understand that it is my responsibility to find a substitute to take my share. If I am unable to receive my CSA or find a substitute, I will forfeit that delivery.

DELIVERY OF YOUR BOUQUET I understand that my CSA bouquet will be delivered with a vase for the first week ONLY. After that, I am responsible for cleaning and providing a clean vase with fresh water on each delivery date to ensure successful delivery and the longest vase life of my flowers. I do not need to be home for the delivery, but I need to leave a vase of water in a shady protected location. I will receive a reminder email in the spring and a text message reminder the day before delivery to put out my vase.

RISKS OF SHARING OUR HARVEST
I understand that as a member, I share in both the bounty and the risks of farming. I understand that the risks include poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests, or the total loss of all crops due to a natural disaster such as fire, flood, drought, hurricane, pests, etc. I understand that in the case of crop failure, it will be replaced with a comparable crop.

FLOWER CARE
I understand that flowers are a perishable product, with a variable vase life of 3-7 days. I understand that all flowers in my share are delivered within 24 hours of harvest in peak condition and that all varieties have a different vase life, dependent on care. I understand that flower stems act like straws, allowing them to drink water that hydrates the flowers and keeps them fresh for a longer period of time. For the water to travel up the stem freely, it must be clear and free of blockages, such as gunk and bacteria. To ensure this, using a clean vase with fresh water is crucial. Additionally, trimming the stems and changing the water every few days can help extend the life of your flowers. Misty Meadows Flower Farm will not be held responsible for shortened vase life or poor flower quality once I receive my delivery. Flower life can be greatly affected by heat, light, smoke, ethylene(fruit nearby), water quality, and vase care.
Should there be any issue with my flowers upon delivery, I will contact Misty Meadows Flower Farm via email within 12 hours to alert them of the issue, and when possible will include photographs to document the problem.

Communication:

EMAIL
By signing up for the CSA, I understand that I will be added to the email list, and I agree to add contact@mistymeadowsflowerfarm.com to my email contacts. This is how Misty Meadows Flower Farm communicates updates and changes, as well as what will be in shares each week. Misty Meadows Flower Farm will not be held responsible for miscommunications due to our e-mails going to your spam folder.

PHONE
I understand that Misty Meadows Flower Farm may need to contact me via text (phone) regarding delivery.