Pheasant Hill Farm

I am a second-generation farmer working my family's 20 acres in Vera Cruz, Pennsylvania. My parents began farming organically at Pheasant Hill more than twenty years ago. Last year I took over management of the farm. I am holding true to the ideals my parents put into practice at Pheasant Hill by bringing fresh, chemical-free produce directly to the consumer through farmers' market and CSA outlets in Southeastern PA.

I also manage the Lehigh County Seed Farm, an agricultural incubator project designed to get the next generation onto the land, ensuring the responsible stewardship of more than 18,000 acres of preserved farmland in Lehigh County. The key to responsible stewardship of our land is ensuring the economic viability of this next generation of small farmers. To that end, the Lehigh County Seed Farm is not merely an agricultural incubator, but also an engine for the growth and development of community food systems. A community food system is one in which "food production, processing, distribution and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place". (Discovering the Food System: A Primer on Community Food Systems, Cornell University).

Don DeVault, Owner/Operator

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS

Our Chef/Farmer's Market Basket CSA directly addresses the most essential component of developing community food systems -- converting consumers into more informed and active participants in the local food economy. Community food systems challenge the necessarily exploitative practices of a global food economy that profits from distancing producers and consumers. The Chef/Farmer's Market Basket CSA employs collaboration between farmers and chefs to draw consumers into a dynamic that meaningfully links farm to table, cultivating a deeper understanding of a narrative stretching from the responsible stewardship of our land and natural resources to culinary inspiration and the pure enjoyment of food. This narrative frames the arrival of each week's basket with

• varietal histories
• production notes
• menus
• kitchen instructions posted on our interactive CSA website
• chemical-free, gourmet heirloom produce, along with free-range, heritage-breed poultry, pork, lamb & grass-fed beef

We'll be working with Lehigh County Seed Farm Chef/Farmer Apprentices, and in collaboration with other local small producers to present you with our Chef/Farmer's Market Basket CSA.

Season

Cost

Because of the extra time, energy, and expense involved in developing and implementing this project, you will notice a higher price for a shorter season than the traditional CSA. But you'll get your money's worth. The price of each share covers the administrative expense of an interactive CSA website.

• $800 - Chef/Farmers Market Basket - Chemical-free, gourmet heirloom produce, along with free-range, heritage-breed poultry, pork, lamb & grass-fed beef. 
• Each of the 12 main season baskets offers an array of carefully selected complementary elements set to full menus with comprehensive kitchen instructions. Each basket is designed to provide 2 full meals for 2 people, featuring one meat entree and one vegetarian entree. 
• The final 2 weeks will stock your pantry with preserves, sauces, fresh-frozen main season crops, and dried goods to get you through the winter. Careful attention to menu design and some advanced preparation will keep your time in the kitchen to about an hour with the standard menu. For the more experienced or adventurous home chef there is a more advanced menu option provided each week.

• $1200 - Chef/Farmers Family Basket - As above, with standard or advanced menus to provide for 4 people over the course of the season.

Pickup Locations

• Rittenhouse Square Farmers Market - 10am till 2pm
• South & Passyunk Farmers Market - 3pm till 7pm
• Ardmore, 2200 block of Bryn Mawr ave, private home