CSA
The community supported agriculture (CSA) model gained traction in the 1970s with black horticulturalist, regenerative agriculture pioneer and small farm advocate, Booker T. Whatley. By paying up front for farm products received throughout the season, CSA members are investing in the farm and helping to cover the costs of seeds and other inputs when income is lean. It is an honor to continue the CSA model, and other practices championed by Whatley at Root Digger.
2025 Fresh Herb CSA
This CSA is designed to be approachable for the herbal curious while providing new experiences for more seasoned herbalists with vibrant herbs picked fresh from the farm. You will experience live herbs with all your senses - the structure, aroma, textures, and energetics of living herbs. Many can be propagated as cuttings or root crowns. Members provide one lump payment in the spring and receive one share per month for 6 months (May - October). Shares will be delivered to a neighborhood location for pick up (in Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia). Each share includes 3 to 5 varieties and includes informative herbal profiles and recipes from a broad cohort of herbalist. You will receive more than 24 of our favorite varieties throughout the season. Herb quantities vary by variety but you can expect 1/4 to 1/2 pound for flowers, and 1/2 to 1 pound for tops and roots. It takes about 5 oz (just over 1/4lb) of fresh herb to fill a very full one pint mason jar for a 2:1 tincture.
A June share might look like:
1/2 lb Calendula
1 lb Milky Oats
1/2 lb Skullcap
1/2 lb Anise Hyssop
Alternative shares
Are you interested in participating but don't have space to process this much medicine? We are offering a share that combines a half-share of fresh herbs supplemented with finished herbal apothecary goods crafted by Rosa Visser of Hildegard Ferments and Botanicals (link below). She crafts these goods using botanicals she grows and collects herself or sources from local growers.
Hildegard Blessings
Root Digger is partnering with Hildegard Ferments & Botanicals to bring CSA members classes, discounts, and special offers throughout the season. Their collection of apothecary goods and place-based, botanical brews will be available for pre-order and pickup with CSA shares.
Add Ons
As a member, you will have opportunity to order add-ons with your CSA delivery each month. These include brews and apothecary goods from Hildegard and additional fresh herbs, dried herbs, and plants starts from Root Digger. You'll also have first access to our spring cleaning sale (10% off last season's herbs).
Pick Up
Shares will be available for pick up during the second 'weekend' of each month May-Oct.
- Seattle: 2nd Thursdays* in Fremont (2pm-730pm)
- Tacoma: 2nd Thursdays* North Proctor (3-8pm)
- Olympia: 2nd Thursday* - Saturday at the farm near Tumwater (daylight hours)
*Except August 7th is technically 1st Thursday
Sliding Scale
Please, read completely and mindfully, and visit the link below, especially if you are new to sliding scale payment. To increase accessibility to folks who would otherwise be unable to participate, this CSA is offered on a sliding scale ($210-$390). We invite you to use your income as a starting point and then evaluate other circumstances affecting your access to resources to navigate to a place on the scale that feels supportive to you while balancing community need. If you're someone with more access to capitol, paying what you can ensures that we can continue to offer affordable participation to all. Thanks to Hadassah Damien for providing a helpful discussion of this topic.
Consider paying less if you(r):
Will experience hardship paying the full price
Have kids or other dependents
Have no savings
Have significant debt relative to your income
Have missed work due to physical or mental health
Family has little or no assets
Have medical expenses not covered by insurance
Are an unpaid community organizer
Have immigration related expenses
Are an elder on limited income
Have been denied work due to incarceration history
Use government assistance programs
Identity has affected your income or education
Have limited access to transportation
Consider paying more if you(r):
Travel recreationally
Go out for coffee, meals, drinks weekly or more
Own a home
Own or lease a car
Have a stable career and expect your income to increase
Debt does not hinder you from attaining basic needs
Have investments, retirement, or inheritance
Have access to family income/support in times of need
Have the education and opportunities to earn more than you do but chose to work less