Sign up for organic produce through the Howell CSA program

HOWELL -- The flakes may be falling outside, but it is not too early to plan for the spring and sign up for your local, organic Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

This year, participating towns include Howell, Brick, Matawan, West Belmar and Spring Lake Heights. Organic produce will once again be supplied by Jersey’s own Farmer John Krueger and his amazing Circle Brook Farm.

For the 2021 growing season, there will be a 24-week delivery program, with anticipated deliveries beginning the week of June 6 and ending Nov. 14.

For Howell CSA, there is a $15 membership fee, and you can choose from the following three options:

1. A premium share is $750 and contains a weekly average of 10-12 organic produce items.

2. A basic share is $625 and contains a weekly average of 9-10 organic items.

3. A pre-bagged medium share is $500 and contains a weekly average of 9-10 organic items and includes the cost of bagging your items.

Half shares will also be available. With this program, choose a partner who is also interested in a half share. One person picks up his or her food one week, and the partner picks up the following week. Both will continue the alternating schedule for the rest of the season. Each partner must sign up and return their own forms and fees as given below.

An early-bird discount of $25 is available to those who sign up for either a premium or basic share and pay in full by March 1.

An early-bird discount of $20 is available to those who sign up for the pre-bagged option and pay in full by March 1.

Organic fruit and eggs are an additional, tasty option that you can add on. There is a $15 membership fee if you are not purchasing one of the veggie shares above. Fruit shares are $240 for 15 weeks. A dozen eggs are $120 for 24 weeks. There are no early-bird discounts for the fruit or eggs.

During the course of the program, participants can expect to receive a diverse number of vegetables and fresh herbs.

Depending on the growing season and weather conditions, items may include arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, cilantro, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, garlic, green beans, green onions, hot peppers, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, salad greens, shallots, spinach, squash, swiss chard, tomatillos, tomatoes, turnips, zucchini and more.

Melons and watermelons may also be included.

To sign up with the Howell CSA, visit yourlocalcsa.com and scroll down to Howell and click on "Download Form Here." Fill out the three signup forms.

Next, mail the three forms and two checks to: Marianne Wagner, 1551 Maxim Southard Road, Howell, NJ 07731.

One check needs to be endorsed to Circle Brook Farm in the amount of the share that you want to sign up for. The second check needs to be endorsed to Susan Barry in the amount of $15 for the membership fee.

You can also pay by credit card by calling Farmer John at 973-332-6935. There will be a fee of approximately 3 percent depending on what size share you sign up for ($15 pre-bagged, $20 basic or $25 premium). You still need to pay the $15 membership fee, so please endorse a check to Susan Barry and mail it to Marianne Wagner's address listed above or visit Venmo and send payment to: @Monmouth-County-CSA.

To pay for everything via Venmo, send the membership fee of $15 to

@Monmouth-County-CSA and the fee for the share to:

@John-Krueger-19.

If you choose to pay by Venmo it is imperative that you note HOWELL CSA, the share size and if you are buying eggs or organic fruit. For your CSA order to be complete, you must email a screenshot to: HowellCSA@gmail.com.

Whichever way you choose to pay, send a photo of the checks, screenshot of the Venmo payment or confirmation of credit card payment to HowellCSA@gmail.com. Include your name, phone and what you paid for. You will receive a confirmation email back within 48 hours.

If you have any questions or need the three signup forms emailed to you, contact: HowellCSA@gmail.com.