A 37-acre family farm in West Brandywine Township seeks adventurous, health-conscious foodies for a summer of the freshest fruits and veggies and a chance to connect with the local land through a Vollmecke Orchards CSA membership.
Before the local movement grew into a widespread phenomenon, there was Jan Vollmecke, a farmer with 30 years experience in the horticulture industry and a budding green thumb. Along with daughter Karen, the Vollmeckes were early adopters of the CSA program, and have been feeding the community organic fruits and vegetables through their CSA since 1998. With a CSA, families can buy a certain amount of membership “shares” of a farm during a growing season, receiving a box of seasonal produce every week in exchange for their purchase.
Since 1984, Vollmecke Orchards has shared a deep commitment to respecting the land, growing vegetables naturally, without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms. In the orchards, Karen practices Integrated Pest Management, monitoring bug traps and choosing to apply cultural techniques where possible rather than synthetic chemical sprays. Karen has implemented innovative practices to stay connected to the earth, turning leaves from East and West Brandywine Townships into compost that adds nutrients to the farm’s soil and improves soil structure. Rather than dowse the land with harsh herbicides, Karen moves her mobile chicken coop along her fields, using her hens to devour the weeds.
CSA member benefits go beyond supporting the local economy: fruits and veggies are harvested closer to ripeness, which enhances flavor and nutrition. Supermarket produce is bred to be large and have a good shelf life, whereas flavor comes first at Vollmecke. Growing locally reduces transportation time and pollution, and members grow deeper relationships with their community and the farmer that feeds them. Throughout the season, Vollmecke hosts kid’s activities, cooking demonstrations, hayrides, potluck dinners, member bonfires, farm tours, and volunteer opportunities for members to get their hands dirty.
“Even something as basic as a potato or carrot, it’s kind of surprising. When it’s grown under our conditions and picked when it’s really ripe and ready, it tastes different. You can’t imagine eating it any other way,” said Karen Vollmecke.
A full share feeds a family of four, runs for a total of 22 weeks from June to end of October and costs $825 for the growing season. A half share offers bi-weekly pickups and costs $425 for 11 weeks of produce. Full payments are due at sign-up; however, payment plans are available for members.
A full share feeds a family of four and a typical June share includes snow peas, arugula, beets, swiss chard, lettuce, mizuna, bok choy, broccoli rabe, radishes, scallions, spinach and asparagus. Cut your own flowers and pick your own peas are included in membership costs, with discounts on pick your own blackberries and raspberries. During CSA pick up times on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., members can pick up additional farm items of eggs, meats, fresh bread, yogurt, cheeses, fruit butters and honey. Non-members can purchase produce from that week’s share as well as farm items. Additional share pickups are available at the Paoli Presbyterian Church and at member homes in West Chester and Narberth.
Joy Wawrzyniak has been a CSA member for the past five years. “Over the years I’ve been a member of Vollmecke CSA, it has truly changed me. It has changed how I feel about the value of fresh food. It has changed how I cook and how I shop. But beyond the great fresh food and my increased awareness of things, what I love most about Vollmecke is the vibe there. Farmer Karen has such positive energy that she puts into the soil and the harvest and all who come to the farm. That kind of vibe can’t be bought at the store.”
See the farm for yourself during the Farm Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. Meet Farmer Karen, tour the farm and enjoy farm fresh refreshments. Vollmecke Orchards is located 155 Cedar Knoll Road in Coatesville. Learn more about membership by clicking here, liking them on Facebook, emailing [email protected] or calling (610) 383-4616.
Photographs credited to Sue Wedo.
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