CSA
The community supported agriculture (CSA) model gained traction in the 1970s thanks to 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.
2026 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 the structure, aroma, textures, and energetics of freshly harvested herbs. Many can be propagated as cuttings or root crowns. Members provide one payment in the spring and receive one share per month for six months (May - October). Shares will be delivered to a neighborhood location for pick up (in Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia). Each share includes three to five 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, or a little more 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 full sized June share might look like:
1/2 lb Calendula
1/2 lb Milky Oats
1/2 lb Skullcap
1/3 lb Anise Hyssop
This year we are also offering half shares. Typically they include all the same herbs in our half shares - just half the quantity. Occasionally, we may decide it's a better fit to provide one less herb in order to provide more workable quantities of the remaining varieties.
Hildegard Botanicals Apothecary Shares
We are continuing our partnership with Rosa Vissers of Hildegard Botanicals. Rosa is a clinical herbalist and medicine maker based in Seattle. She provides her own 6 month Community Supported Apothecary subscription featuring a delightful seasonal assortment of teas, salves, elixirs, tinctures, and more. Both CSAs are available for pick-up at all three locations. Sign up for the Hildegard Botanicals Apothecary Share.
Add Ons & Perks
As a member of either or both CSAs, you will have opportunity each month to order additional add-ons with your CSA delivery as they become available. These include: apothecary goods from Hildegard, additional fresh herbs, dried herbs, and plants starts from Root Digger. You'll also receive discounts for Rosa's educational offerings and first access to our spring cleaning sale (10% off last season's dried herbs).
Pick Up
Shares will be available for pick up on the first Friday of each month May-Oct.
- Seattle: 2nd Fridays in Fremont (2pm-730pm)
- Tacoma: 2nd Fridays North Proctor (3-8pm)
- Olympia: 2nd Friday and Saturday at the farm near Tumwater (daylight hours)
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. 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