What is sustainable farming?
Sustainable agriculture promotes environmental stewardship including:
- Protecting and improving the soil quality,
- Reducing dependence on non-renewable resources such as fuel and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
- Minimizing the impact on wildlife, water quality and other environmental resources
- Promote stable, prosperous farm families and communities
- Excerpt from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program’s publication of Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture.
How do I become a member and support my community?
You can join Locally Harvested For You by simply filling out the membership profile, choosing a membership plan, and placing your first order.
Why do I pay a membership fee?
The membership fee structure was designed to cover the administrative cost of the program so that more of the money you spend on the local products can go directly to the local farmer and, in turn, encourage him/her to continue their sustainable methods of farming. In effect, you are making a vote for small-scale farmers versus the industrialized farms that produce the majority of our food today.
How can I learn more about our local food movement?
What does ‘local’ mean?
Locally Harvested For You defines local as within 100 miles of the greater Cincinnati area. We hope the products come from even closer but we also want the best for our customers.
What is Raw Milk?
Milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized.
Why do I have to buy a herdshare for my raw milk?
Direct to consumer sales of Raw Milk are strictly illegal in the state of Ohio. However, you may consume the product of one of your own animals thus arising the Herdshare boarding contracts which are private agreements between individuals who collectively own the animals in a dairy herd and the farmer hired to manage that herd. What that essentially means is that if you purchase a set number of shares in a dairy herd and sign a boarding contract to pay for the care and management of your portion of the herd you are then entitled to receive a corresponding amount of the herd's milk production, depending on seasonal availability. It may sound complicated but it runs pretty smoothly in practice and Locally Harvested For You can make it even simpler.
If you really want to know more...
Herdshare contracts are not a smoke-and-mirrors trick to get around state laws - boarding contracts are technically called agistments, such arrangements are common in agricultural communities and are rooted in English common law. It is very typical for farmers to lease extra land for running cattle, or to set up contracts for others to manage their cattle. Buying shares in a dairy herd is no different from buying shares in anything else - those shares represent legal ownership and responsibility. It is your responsibility to pay your monthly boarding fee, and your responsibility to pick up your share of the herd's milk production. If you don't pick up your milk when it is available then you lose that distribution, but you still pay your monthly fee. You can buy or sell shares, and shares can even appreciate in value.
How do I pay?
In order to offer the best protection for your account information, we suggest all payments be made through PayPal. This allows you to connect checking accounts, credit cards, or debit cards to your secure PayPal account in a one-time set-up so you can have peace-of-mind each time you order through us.
Where will I pick up my order?
When you place your order, you can choose the most convenient location for pick up. Order pick up is every Thursday between 4-6 pm. If you have a suggestion for an additional location, please contact us!
What does it cost?
Membership is $35/year. This money is used to cover the administrative costs of operating LocallyHarvestedForYou.com and allows us to pay the farmers top dollar for their hard work and delicious food. In addition, you gain access to ordering as much or as little as you like throughout the season as well as online tidbits of knowledge including recipes, food news, and other things we think you’ll find interesting!
If, for any reason, you do not enjoy the Locally Harvested For You products and local online ordering, you can request a refund of your membership fee within the first two weeks after paid membership.