Farmer Fred is a great resource of information on produce, growing, and cooking. Everything on the farm is done transparently, we have helped in the fields and are always checking out the barn and animals with the kids when we visit. The CSA food is as fresh as can be had .... yes it might still have dirt on it from being pulled that morning (or as a layer of protection for the sweet potatoes). Fred and the family are always giving updates on how things are looking, what coming produce to expect and an honest evaluation of its condition (as dictated by Mother Nature). Being a member of the CSA has gotten the whole family eating foods we wouldn't have eaten otherwise (I thought Boc Choy was for chinese dishes, on Fred's advice I now saute it with a little oil and have it in my eggs ... ). I would really go on and on, but i'm now out of characters..... can't recommend Hilltop Farms highly enough!!!