Reviews for: The Zahradka Farm at Brown's Cove

I was so blessed to find this place almost 3 years ago. I've never really met the farmers but the farm stand people are the best. There is always a fresh variety of my summer favorites and it's conveniently located not far from my house. I'm a REAL hard working mom in the area that loves the option of fresh and delicious produce. I know that all items are grown on the farm unless marked as so. I can't say that about the other farm stands around the area. I'd like to thank my local farmer and his family for helping to keep my family healthy and strong. Are you open yet!!!! Can Not Wait Until They Are!!! Barbara Kuczinski Middle River!

This was our first summer with Zahradka, and it was great. Produce was always fresh and so much more flavorful than the grocery store. We also got a turkey for Thanksgiving from them. OMG. The turkey was, literally, the best turkey either my husband or I had ever tasted. Hands down. And I had no idea it would be so big! It barely fit into the oven! I don't know what you fed them, but they had to have been very happy turkeys. Raising them by hand like that really made for a delicious meal. We made stock with the carcass and the pan drippings produced this deep, thick, stock I can't wait to use. Can't wait until next summer!

My family and I have been members of this csa for 3 summers and 2 winters now, and are completely satisfied, obviously (: Great people, great variety, great little extras now and then, and just overall great tasty produce that keeps us healthy and happy! We highly recommend Zahradka Farm!

We had the Z farm's summer CSA this year and were really happy about the diversity and freshness of the veggies they offered. It did save us a lot of time to go veggie shopping. Thumbs up, the Z farm!

Our family has tried other CSAs and we just wanted to go on record as saying that the Zahradka Farm CSA is by far our favorite. The variety and quality of their fruit and veggies is exceptional, the staff is friendly and helpful and the price is great! We appreciated their flexibility when we had to be out of town and couldn't pick up our share for a week. We have nothing but great things to say about the Zahradka Farm CSA and will definitely continue to support them in the years to come. We highly recommend their CSA.

This was our first winter with the Zahradka Farm and our first experience with a CSA. We loved the vegetables, fresh and delicious and delivered to our door. Had no problem with the deliveries varying a bit due to weather, as we were kept well informed via email. We signed up immediately for the summer program and are looking forward to a great selection of summer goodies. Thanks, everyone at Zahradka Farm!

Very happy with Zahradka Farm Winter CSA! Our 2nd year with them ... reliable, good service despite bad weather and great veggies especially spinach and broccoli. Home delivery is awesome!

If there were ANY other winter CSA's available to Baltimore City, we would switch over in a heartbeat. All of the negative comments that are listed here do still remain true through the 2014 winter season: we never knew what day to expect our delivery since it changed almost every week without notice, their email responses are practically non-existent, and some of the produce was just plain BAD. Sure some of it was also pretty good, but isn't that what I'm paying for? I was also disappointed with the selection this year since last winter there seemed to be greater variety. That said, they do have great honey.

Excellent experience all around. I've been a member of this CSA for several years, both summer and winter. I am always recommending to neighbors and co-workers to join up. It changed our eating habits in many positive ways.

We joined the CSA program in Spring, 2013 with a small share. (Does feed 2-3 adults.) Pick-up was at the farm stand. Many a Saturday morning, we were there when the veggies were being brought in from harvest. There was a wide variety of veggies from which to choose. (The sweet corn last season was awesome.) We usually bought extra of any goodies that we wanted to try preserving for the winter. (I made some yummy peach jam!) We found the majority of the staff friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We also ordered a medium turkey and the Christmas box. The turkey was excellent and HUGE. We were so satisfied with the experience that we joined the Winter program. Despite the trying winter, we had a nice assortment of fresh veggies delivered every week. We had few issues, and the farm was happy to fix any problem. We have been trying the "extras" (eggs, honey, breads, granola) and have been pleased with those items. You cannot beat fresh, local food. We are signed up for 2014!

This past winter was our first season with the Zahradka Farm CSA and we loved it. It was a harsh and trying winter, but the farmers worked through it no matter what, and we had beautiful fresh veggies every week. I found that the farmers were extremely responsive to any question or concerns. I also love all the extras that you can add to your order each week like local fresh bread, honey, coffee beans, and eggs, too name a few. The variety and quality of all the produce and other products was excellent. I can not wait for the summer season to start up.

I have been a CSA Customer for two years now and I love it! This is the first year we have participated in the Winter program and I was wowed! I have always purchased a medium sized share (8 generous items) during the Summer program, however during the Winter the farm only offers two sizes. When I inquired about which size to choose the integrity and honesty I received took me aback! The Farmer's Wife, Libby let told me I should try the smaller size to save money and if we wanted to upgrade we could do so whenever. I can not count the times I have been "sold a bill of goods" to put more money in a company's "pocket". This was not the Case with the Zahradka Farm. (Thank You!)

Their website was clear and the facebook page is awesome! The produce was so fresh and if there is an issue and you bring it to light... it is taken care of right away. The owners are in the office on Mon. and Tues. and they make that clear. On the other days they are working at the farm... duh!

We love you guys!

We were completely aware of "shared risk". We assumed that in paying nearly a thousand dollars for the season = we get a better deal then the walk up person at a farmers market. Instead every week we lose money and get reminded of our mistake.

Produce is fine in nature. But for $937 for 24 weeks= $39 a week for 12 shares= we pay $3.25 a share. We pick up our CSA at a farmers market where the prices are listed. And so the result is unless we chose 12 shares of heirloom tomatoes each week...for our commitment, we get ripped off each and every week. A walk-up consumer, not committed to 24 weeks pays $5 for dozen ears of corn. We pay $6.50. A basket of green beans is $3. Onions of leeks or Kale $2.00....there is no adjustment for CSA members...and most items are $3.00...so even if we chose all $3.00 items we ONLY lose $4 that week...for having committed to the whole season.

Then, not written anywhere in the contract...we found out that we were permitted only one fruit per week. We had been members in the winter and this was not the case. But for the summer it is....and what angers me more is that the full share person with the most invested (and one would think, the most valuable) gets one share of fruit. The middle CSA of six items is allowed one fruit, the smallest share of 4 items is allowed one fruit. Which to me equals those of us who risked and committed the most money, get the most screwed.

I emailed complaining about all of this and was told I could go F-myself. Needless to say we won't make this mistake again. Id be happy to send my receipt and any documentation to validate this as authentic.

I am a Loyal customer of the Zahradkas ' and love their product. I have purchased items at various farmer's markets from them. A few of my friends are actually in their CSA but I don't need to be considering I am a farmer's market junky and they are addictive! My CSA friends feel included in the farm and its awesome. We especially love dealing with and talking to the farmer and his girlfriend. They are so cool and into the farming scene! All is good but I don't recommend visiting the actual farm unless you want a rude awakening. The owners who I believe are family have a chip on their shoulder the size of New York and don;t seem supportive at all of what the farmer's are trying to accomplish. I have had some personal experience, one of which was very recent that was disturbing to say the least. I am very upset my children had to be exposed to what seemed like a family dispute of some kind. A woman who seemed to be an employee was being verbally assaulted by two other women who may have been her bosses in the middle of the parking area. This is something I as a customer do not feel I or my little children should witness. I feel for the younger generation who seem to throw their all into what they believe in, farming wise and I will still be supportive if this farm and offer this support at markets. However... no more farm visits for me.

We've belonged to a different CSA for the past 3 summers (and will again this summer), and it has been a wonderful experience. I agree with other reviewers that it is important to have fresh fruits and vegetables and support local farming. HOWEVER, I do not believe that should outweigh good customer service and communication. I also do not believe that being a farmer gives you a pass on treating your customers well.

We decided to try Zahradka's winter share because they begin theirs in December rather than March, like many other winter CSAs. We liked that they claimed to spend lots of time canning and freezing stuff during the summer so they could offer a greater selection during the winter months. While they did offer frozen fajita peppers and frozen broccoli and cauliflower, we found the offering of these selections was over-exaggerated on their web site. Additionally, we signed up for their meat share--I definitely would not recommend the meat share, since it was all different sausages and ground beef (except for half a turkey once right before Christmas). While for the most part the produce was decent, we also had several instances where we had to throw out whole groups of vegetables, particularly broccoli. Emails about the subject went unanswered.

At the beginning of the winter share, delivery dates were sporadic--I'm sure this was due to them trying to figure out delivery routes, but one week they delivered on a Saturday, and the next on a Friday, with no notice, so we had not left a cooler out. This was an indication of things to come--as the first reviewer noted, they eventually deleted all comments from the site and disabled the ability to leave comments. This is not indicative of good customer service. I believe they may have bitten off more than they could chew with their Winter CSA--one of their emails said they had 300 shares in 5 counties to which they were delivering with 5 people. Sure, that's difficult, but if you only have 5 people, don't sign up that many shares. Poor planning is not an excuse for poor execution.

I can not possibly recommend them to others when there are other local options.

We started getting produce from a Zahradka Farm CSA last summer and have continued on with the winter CSA. The produce is extremely fresh and delicious, and I love knowing where my food comes from. George and Libby and the few other farm staff work extremely hard to provide their wonderful produce each week, and last summer was quite trying, but they persevered to grow and harvest their wonderful produce. We have also enjoyed the farm fresh free range eggs, meat, and specialty item. I would highly recommend Zahradka Farm CSA!

I'd like to share the VERY positive experience I had last year participating in the Centennial [26-week summer/fall] CSA using the Zahradka Farm, and echo the point of the previous reviewer that great produce trumps minor communication issues. It was my third CSA year, and therefore third farm, so I speak with some experience.

We had great produce delivered weekly to Ellicott City in a lovely tree-shaded parking lot. Set up farmers' market style, we were able to select individually from the amazing bounty that Zahradka Farms supplied. It's the only CSA I know to offer such choice, add-on options, and three different share sizes as well, all within my home community.

The scorching dry heat at the beginning of last summer stunted the tomatoes' ability to flower and polinate. Then in the same growing season, can you imagine being a farmer and planting your peppers something like 18 times because they washed out with all the torrential rains we had? ZF harvested in the rain and walked through mucky fields to get us fresh food on Thursdays. Farming is VERY hard work, and it's year 'round. There are ALWAYS jobs that need to be done.

I agree with previous reveiwer who pointed out the reality that what makes it to one's table trumps some communication flaws. We hope they can work on those skills, but more to the point, I can't wait to bite into a just-picked, juicy heirloom tomato, bursting with flavor grown by these sweet and extremely caring people. They epitomize the Japanese saying for CSA which is "food with a face" -- knowing George grew my tomato makes me happy, and I wish there was more I could do to help heal his broken ribs!!! His crew is friendly and helpful. I'd rather have the farm crew in the fields tending the crops and graciously delivering their bounty, than sitting in a "customer support center" that as a patron, I'd have to help pay for...Just saying...

George grows with Integrated Pest Management, meaning most wholesome, best-management-practice techniques, so he only sprays when his livelihood is in jeopardy. True, it's not organic, but it's close.

If you live in the Ellicott City or Clarksville or Columbia area, this is the best CSA option available. Probaly also true elsewhere that Zahradka delivers, but I haven't checked out that competition.

Zahradka Farm's folks rock in my book!

I appreciate the reviewer's concerns. I have been a member of three CSA's in as many years. We had a summer share from The Zahradka Farms last season and currently have a winter share. We are a vegan family of 6 so you will understand that vegetables are very important to us. I think CSA members need to ascertain why they are members to begin with. If you are a member to enjoy the freshest, and therefore the most flavorful produce available at a reasonable price with the benefit of knowing WHO is growing your food and that your purchase really makes a difference in a farmer's (family's) life then you should consider over looking some of the business operations shortfalls. I want a farmer who grows good food. It would be great if the operation could be run more "businesslike" but the reality of small family farms is that is very difficult. When they are busy making sure there is food for us to eat the technology/communication stuff regrettably falls by the wayside. Neither of the first two programs we were a part of were any better about communications then this reviewer's experience. To my knowledge George and Libby have always striven to correct any errors - - though it might take a while. I also know that they are working to improve on this. For us the produce is the main thing. Oftentimes, when our family sits down to dinner and EVERYTHING on our plates is from The Zahradka Farms we are all thankful for what their all consuming labor provides for us. In the real scheme of things, while frustrating, a few un-returned e-mails/phone calls doesn't seem so important when we are really well fed. I whole-heartedly recommend them to anyone considering a CSA membership this year.

We really believe in supporting our local farms and have participated in various CSA programs for the last 3 years. This is our first Winter CSA with Zahradka Farm and while I wholeheartedly would love to support them, I just can't recommend them after our experience. Each week we select online what produce we want from their choices and they deliver it at the end of the week within a 2-day window. The produce is good quality, however, it's the communication - or lack thereof - that is the problem. We've had to email them twice so far about mistakes with our order and they never have responded.

They told us at the beginning of the season to check their blog for updates. They have now removed all the comments and disabled the customers' ability to leave comments. I find this troublesome because it is another form of communication to them that has now been cut off. In regard to the comments on their blog, I am aware that one other customer had left a comment on the blog about the inconsistencies with how the website and deliveries are run. Eventually Farmer George responded to the commenter and told her that maybe not everyone was aware, but that he had been in a car accident and spent some days in shock trauma. While this accident was truly misfortunate, I did not think it was appropriate to use this accident to dodge this commenters legitimate complaints rather than addressing and resolving them. We experienced some of the commenters issues so I know her complaints predated the accident. Second, how would this commenter - or the rest of us for that matter - know about the accident if they had not specifically told us? Again, it all comes down to communication.

I can understand that they are extremely busy. I do appreciate all the work that they put into the CSA. However, to work well I believe they have have to put more effort into the communication with their customers. Although you can never please everyone, it is never okay to ignore emails and not address legitimate complaints.