What is a CSA?
Victory Acres is located at
5275 S. 800 E. Upland, IN.
Victory Acres in Upland, Indiana, has been in the Himelick family for years, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the farm was bought by Victory Acres Inner-city Ministries and made into a Community-Supported Agriculture, or CSA.
CSAs have been popping up for the United States more and more over the twenty years. There are currently over 4,000 CSAs in the United States according to Local Harvest, Inc. It’s a way for consumers to buy locally while helping support their community and getting better product than in a supermarket. Compared to organic store, Victory Acres is typically 20 to 30 percent cheaper. It also has a positive impact on the environment because it cuts out the burning of fossil fuels to transport the produce.
Victory Acres shares are $500 each year and can feed a family of four. Half shares are available as well for $320 a year, with each share usually costing $1 per pound. The growing season is from May through October so shareholders receive weekly rations during that time. If there is an abundance of a crop then members are given part of the surplus as well.
Some items on the farm such as eggs and honey are not included in the shares; however, members may purchase these items at a discounted price. Pork and beef shares are also available for an additional cost.
Members are invited to help out on the farm when needed and also get certain perks on the farm. They are able to “enjoy farm life through visits, educational opportunities, picnics, hiking and camping,” according to the Victory Acres website. Another perk of being a member is receiving extremely fresh produce that’s packed with nutrients. All the produce at Victory Acres is organic, so consumers get chemical-free food.
By having members pay upfront for the produce Victory Acres is able to cover costs during the year to keep the farm running. Almost all the workers on the farm are volunteers too which helps keep costs down. Also, by selling all the shares before the growing season begins, it leaves more time to work in the field when it’s needed.
There is a risk when investing in a CSA. If weather conditions are bad one year then some produce may not turn out as well as the year before. Also there aren’t any refunds when buying a share at Victory Acres. The workers at Victory Acres though work very hard to do all they can to make every season a plentiful one.
For those interested in applying for a share at Victory Acres, there is an application form on their website along with more information on their memberships. For those who are interested in helping out at Victory Acres; however, not interested in becoming a member, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Contact Victory Acres at [email protected], call 765-998-2590 or simply stop by the farm.
CSAs have been popping up for the United States more and more over the twenty years. There are currently over 4,000 CSAs in the United States according to Local Harvest, Inc. It’s a way for consumers to buy locally while helping support their community and getting better product than in a supermarket. Compared to organic store, Victory Acres is typically 20 to 30 percent cheaper. It also has a positive impact on the environment because it cuts out the burning of fossil fuels to transport the produce.
Victory Acres shares are $500 each year and can feed a family of four. Half shares are available as well for $320 a year, with each share usually costing $1 per pound. The growing season is from May through October so shareholders receive weekly rations during that time. If there is an abundance of a crop then members are given part of the surplus as well.
Some items on the farm such as eggs and honey are not included in the shares; however, members may purchase these items at a discounted price. Pork and beef shares are also available for an additional cost.
Members are invited to help out on the farm when needed and also get certain perks on the farm. They are able to “enjoy farm life through visits, educational opportunities, picnics, hiking and camping,” according to the Victory Acres website. Another perk of being a member is receiving extremely fresh produce that’s packed with nutrients. All the produce at Victory Acres is organic, so consumers get chemical-free food.
By having members pay upfront for the produce Victory Acres is able to cover costs during the year to keep the farm running. Almost all the workers on the farm are volunteers too which helps keep costs down. Also, by selling all the shares before the growing season begins, it leaves more time to work in the field when it’s needed.
There is a risk when investing in a CSA. If weather conditions are bad one year then some produce may not turn out as well as the year before. Also there aren’t any refunds when buying a share at Victory Acres. The workers at Victory Acres though work very hard to do all they can to make every season a plentiful one.
For those interested in applying for a share at Victory Acres, there is an application form on their website along with more information on their memberships. For those who are interested in helping out at Victory Acres; however, not interested in becoming a member, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Contact Victory Acres at [email protected], call 765-998-2590 or simply stop by the farm.
Pastor Eric Himelick started Victory Inner-City Ministries in downtown Indianapolis. He routinely ran into people with a desire and need to get away from the city. They needed a place to escape from the bad environment they were in. He decided he needed to make a safe place for these people. His grandparents owned Victory Acres, a place that Pastor Himelick considered his safe place. He prayed long and hard over what to do, and began sketching out the plan God laid before him--make Victory Acres a safe haven for all. This drawing is the one Pastor Himelick envisioned in 2005 and is still trying to follow to this day.