CSA MOU

If you would like a PDF copy of this MOU please email us. 

2021/22 THE ORCHARD KEEPERS // CSA

Memorandum of Understanding – September 2021

This MoU outlines the shared commitments involved in the relationship between The Orchard Keepers and their CSA members.

Likely Crops for 2021-22 Season:

Principles of Teikei  Teikei in Japanese means “cooperation”, “joint business”, or “link-up”. In reference to CSA, it is commonly associated with the slogan “food with the farmer’s face on it”. Read more about the origins of Teiki and CSA here. 

• Principle of mutual assistance
• Principle of accepting the produce
• Principle of mutual concession in the price decision
• Principle of deepening friendly relationships
• Principle of self-distribution
• Principle of democratic management
• Principle of learning among each group
• Principle of maintaining the appropriate group scale
• Principle of steady development

As a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member of The Orchard Keepers (OKs) 

I agree: 

• To pay the suggested price for the season 
• Collect my weekly fruit box from the agreed pick up location
• I understand that if I am unable to collect the box within 48 hours, the OKs may donate the produce
• To support the Teiki principles of CSA
• Receive the Orchard Keepers newsletter and be added to the Orchard Keepers email database.

I understand that:

• I have the right to ask OKs questions about farming methodologies (we would love you to!)
• In the box I will receive fruit including different varieties of cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, pears and apples according to seasonality and farm availability.
• By purchasing a CSA Share, I am effectively backing The Orchard Keepers to grow my fruit 
• Factors out of The Orchard Keepers’s control may affect the quality or quantity of that fruit (e.g. hail, too much rain in spring, pestilence)
• I am part of a community that can collectively share risk, as opposed to all of that being on the farmer alone
• This means I may have to share in adversity as well as abundance
• The ‘name your price’ range method is an experimental sales model aimed at collectively subsidising ethical food for those in financial hardship

The Orchard Keepers in turn agree:

• To communicate regularly with members via newsletter and emails
• Understand our role in the education of members about the CSA model and our own farming ethos
• Understand that transparency is accountability
• Agree to minimise carbon footprint where possible (e.g. reduce packaging and transport).
• Agree to maintain organic certification.
• Will strive to grow the highest quality, most abundant and most nutritious fruit as possible
• Agree to farm ethically eg. to treat all parts of the ecosystem with respect
• Agree to continue to educate ourselves and stay knowledgeable about ‘best practice’ in organic farming 
• Value the input of our CSA community 
• Agree to ‘Pay the Rent’ to Castlemaine Pay The Rent