The education barn (right) at Clagett Farm. Photo by Fred Delventhal

Expenses

Clagett Farm's annual expenses are about $170,000, which includes seed, fuel, and other supplies, and our greatest expense, which is a modest living wage for our staff. We also benefit from the intermittent, unpaid labor of groups and individuals who help us with harvesting, field work, and office work.

Of the expenses we pay for, about 84 percent is covered by income from selling CSA shares. Another two percent comes from other minor sales and fund-raisers, such as cookbooks at the pick-up site and the silent auction at the fall festival. And about two percent comes from donations from individuals (mostly CSA members). That four percent is what allows us to offer half-price shares. We would love to offer more!

The Capital Area Food Bank and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation each contribute about six percent to our budget each year. This, along with rent-free land, office, and living space; liability insurance; accounting oversight; and the help of volunteers that they solicit for us, allow us to donate produce to local agencies that serve the hungry in our area.