about us
Family Owned and Operated
At Ambrose Family Farm, Pete and Babs Ambrose have been cultivating the land since 1976. Farmer Pete Ambrose, our visionary farmer, embraces diversity and innovation in agriculture. On our 135-acre farm at Selkirk Plantation nestled on Wadmalaw Island, Pete tends to an array of both familiar and unconventional crops throughout the year. We take pride in selling our produce at our farm, our family owned business Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe, and to our dedicated Ambrose Family Farm CSA members.
Environmentally Sound Farming
At Ambrose Family Farm, we take pride in our environmentally sound and sustainable farming practices. Without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, we prioritize building soil fertility naturally, even nurturing earthworms as indicators of our soil's health.
Our commitment to quality produce at reasonable prices ensures that you receive the freshest, most flavorful, and nutritious vegetables possible. Keeping it local and fresh is at the core of everything we do.
As leaders and advocates for locally grown, sustainable produce, we prioritize communication and education within our community. We believe in fostering a deep connection between communities and the land they rely on.
While we grow as organically as possible, we are not certified organic growers, and there are several reasons for this decision. Firstly, maintaining certification may restrict our ability to respond to unforeseen challenges that threaten our crops. Secondly, we prefer to operate without excessive governmental involvement and associated expenses. Lastly, the stringent requirements of GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification are often financially prohibitive for small-scale growers like us.
In our over 10 years of organic farming, we've encountered a few unusual disease issues that necessitated the use of "non-organic" treatments for control. In such rare emergencies, we rely on the guidance of Clemson Extension experts and opt for the gentlest yet most efficient products at our disposal. Transparency is key for us, and we make sure to inform our customers upfront about the organic status of our crops. This way, everyone can make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing.
Ambrose Farm CSA Membership Information
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) fosters a unique bond between local farmers and the communities they serve. Through this partnership, members invest in a "share" of the farm's anticipated fresh, high-quality produce, cultivated using the safest and most organic methods available. This commitment ensures that members receive the best-quality, freshest, and widest variety of sustainably grown produce while supporting the future viability of local family farms by guaranteeing fair economic returns for farmers' efforts.
Joining our CSA is a proactive step towards securing access to fresh, wholesome produce. It's essential to sign up well in advance to allow our farm the time needed to plan and cultivate crops. From scheduling planting and ordering seeds to nurturing young plants and ultimately harvesting and delivering the produce, every step in the process requires careful attention and time. Unlike ordering items online for immediate delivery, the growing cycle for crops like arugula, radish, and baby lettuce mixes can take at least 25 days from seed to harvest, emphasizing the importance of early enrollment in a CSA program, especially as it relates to future seasons.
But there is a risk for you just as there is a constant risk for farmers- the unexpected: excessive rain, hail, out of the ordinary frost or freeze, severe drought, unknown disease carried by wind or rain, strange bugs or diseases from strange places that our experts are unsure how to control. A Farmers partner is Mother Nature who is the MOST unreliable and unpredictable partner. A farm is like a widget factory without a roof.
Tips for Potential CSA Members
Don't expect all your produce to come from the CSA
Most CSAs do not provide families with enough fruit to meet their usual intake. Many don't provide any fruit at all, so it is good to ask what to expect in that regard. Depending on the size of your family and how much you cook, you will probably find that you need to supplement the vegetables as well, especially staples like onions, garlic, and carrots.
If you are not used to eating seasonally, do some research.
If you are not accustomed to eating seasonally, you may find that it takes a while to make a transition from eating whatever is at the grocery store (pretty much everything) to whatever is in your CSA basket (what's in season). It may surprise you to find that tomatoes do not ripen until August in your area. You should expect the season to start off lighter than it finishes. In most areas, the first crops will be salad greens, peas, green onions and the like. By the end of the season, the boxes should be much heavier, with things like winter squash, potatoes, tomatoes, and broccoli. Many farms provide a list of what produce to expect when. It's worth reading. If they don't offer you such a list, ask.
Quantity varies .
When filling the weekly CSA baskets, farmers try and provide a variety of items, in a reasonable quantity. They don't want to be skimpy, and they don't want to overwhelm their members. Too much of even a good thing, and it ends up going to waste, which makes everyone feel bad. Over time, farmers develop a feel for how much is the right amount for their particular community – what's fair, what's reasonable, what will get eaten. Of course, the weather and other mitigating circumstances can get in the way of their ability to provide the ideal amount, as discussed above. One of the most important questions to ask before you sign up is, "About how much produce do you expect to deliver each week, and how does that vary from the beginning of the season to the end?"
If you want to preserve food for winter, ask.
Some farms allow members to get extra quantities of certain vegetables for canning or freezing. If this is something that interests you, talk to the farmer early in the season.
Make sure you understand the policies.
Farms differ in their policies regarding what happens with your box if you don't pick it up (e.g. vacation, something-came-up, I forgot, etc.) Make sure you know how these situations are dealt with, before the season starts.
Our CSA Policies
*Membership is for a season.
*Each season is for a designated number of weeks.
*Payment is made in full for the season and there is no refund after the season begins.
*Mid-season sign-ups are pro-rated & permitted but limited.
*You must select a share size and a pick-up location at sign up.
*Any changes to your share or pick up location must be made
3 days in advance of delivery on the web site.
*We do not re-pack a share should you forget to pick up.
*We do not guarantee any volume or weight in any share.
*We announce each Sunday via email what is expected but if the unexpected happens and we cannot harvest as planned, we'll do our very best to make that up in a later share or season extension.
*If you cannot pick up your share, make arrangements with someone to pick up for you-there is no credit for a missed share.
With all that said, we try to be as flexible a partner as possible. Communication is the key. Lets WORK AS A TEAM so everyone is supported
Contact Info:
Babs Ambrose
babs.ambrose@gmail.com 843-709-8295 (mobile)
FARM 843-559-0988 (Patti)