What is CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a system in which both the benefits and the risks of agriculture production is shared by the shareholders within the community. Most often the consumers will purchase 'shares' from a local farm at the beginning of the growing season, thus ensuring the viability for the farmer. The consumer will then receive vegetables, fruit, grains and/or meat throughout the year according to what has been grown and what is in season. 

A fibre CSA is a chance for knitters, spinners, dyers and crafters to have a closer connection to where their wool comes from and what is involved in bringing it to the consumer. 

By purchasing a 'share' every year you are supporting the raising of the sheep, the shearing, the cleaning and the end product. You also get to witness the process - through visiting the farm, or watching on social media. This provides a connection with the sheep and also supports small, local, Canadian farmers.

Farmed and Foraged Dye plant CSA

For further resources and support for the Natural Dye CSA participants check it out here.

This CSA is a dye kit that will feature natural dyes grown and foraged at Long Way Homestead and locally sourced wool. This will include 4 separate dye kits throughout the season with locally grown and harvest natural dye plants. The CSA will include:

• 4 individual skeins of undyed yarn (pre scoured)

• Yarn is a 2-ply Corriedale worsted weight (around 200m/100g)

• dye material (dried) grown at Long Way Homestead and harvested in 2021

• Alum mordant

• instructions for natural dyeing at home (stove top or solar dyed)

• information card about the dye used and information about the colours achieved, and information about the breed.
  
  The dyed yarn will be shipped out according to the harvest and seasonality of the flowers that are grown or foraged. You can expect your yarn:

July, August, September, October

The yarn is vacuum packed to reduce shipping costs ($5 x 4 shipments)

Breed Specific Yarn CSA

This CSA will feature 4 unique breeds of yarn from different Canadian fibre farms. This will include:

• 4 skeins of 100g of DK weight yarn spun (undyed)

• Information about the breeds included

• Screen printed “Choose Wool” totebag

This is a one time CSA offering and is dependent on available fibres and breeds, all wool sourced from Canadian farms’ 2021 shearing. We support many other fibre farmers by purchasing their wool in large quantities at a fair rate per pound. We like to tell their story and share their yarn with our customers. This CSA benefits many farmers who do not already market their own yarn, but work hard to raise beautiful wool.

Shares will be purchased in April (during shearing season), and yarn will be delivered in August of the same year. $115