ABOUT RIO GOZO FARM
We grow organic vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers in the Ojai Valley on 3.5 acres adjoining the Ventura River. Our farm is known as Rio Gozo, "Gozo" is Spanish for Joy. The majority of the food we grow supplies Rio Gozo's Ventura CSA program; any extra is sold to restaurants in Ventura County.
In addition, we host farm education groups in conjunction with Ojai's Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Our farm shares property with other non profits such as: the HELP of Ojai, Ojai Raptor Center, C.R.E.W, and Ojai Land Conservancy. The Ojai Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Trailhead less than one mile from the farm.
Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA's program delivers:
Tuesdays or Fridays from 1:00-6:00pm at a drop site in downtown Ventura.
Call for more information.
Call for more information.
(805) 272 8170
Become a fan of Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA on Facebook
Become a fan of Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA on Facebook
CSA FAQ
What is a CSA Share?
You have literally purchased a share of our harvest. This means that you share in the farm’s risks and rewards. Volume increases and decreases throughout the seasons, but we are working every day to provide a wide variety of high quality produce.
Joining a CSA is the best choice you can make to support your local farmers, to eat green, and to ensure the continuation of sustainable agriculture in your area. You can learn more about CSAs and how they work here.
How much does it cost?
We offer seasonal memberships (12 weeks) giving our members the chance to experience all the variety a season can produce. CSA members pay for the season in advance. Call us for current membership rates.
How many people will a share feed?
Our share is designed to provide enough produce for a family of 3-4. For the true vegetable fanatics, it works for two. Plenty of our folks enjoy splitting a share with a friend. If you are going on vacation, think about donating your produce to a needy family or offering it to a friend.
How often will my family receive our share?
Your share will be dropped off weekly on the day and at the location you selected. We know how much you love our boxes, but we need to keep them on the farm, so please bring your own bags to transfer your produce home.
Where and when do I pick up my share?
Pick up days are: Tuesdays or Fridays in downtown Ventura. You may receive your share delivered to your door within the city of Ventura for $5 delivery fee.
How do I manage all this gorgeous food?
You will enjoy your CSA share so much more if you set aside some time on your pick up day to wash your vegetables and store them properly. It may be intimidating at first to work through the whole bag, but if everything is prepped and ready to go, it really simplifies the routine.
What can I expect to receive?
We will post information about what to expect in your box on a weekly basis. In general, you should expect 9 – 12 items. Here is an idea of what we like to grow according to season:
Spring: Arugula, Basil, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Cilantro, Chard, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Dill, Endive, Fava, Fennel, Flowers, Kale, Lettuce, Mint, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Radicchio, Spinach, Spring Onions, Squash Blossoms
Summer: Basil, Bell Peppers, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fava, Flowers, Garlic, Green Beans, Lavender, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Oregano, Peas, Chili Peppers, Potatoes, Tomato, Zucchini
Fall: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dill, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Potatoes, Radicchio, Radish, Turnips, Winter Squash
Winter: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli Rabe, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Chard, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dill, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Parsnips, Radish, Spinach, Turnips
How do I learn more?
Please bookmark our blog. We are working to build a community forum with recipes and other useful information about getting the most out of CSA life. We provide updated links on the site to several organizations and bloggers who can help you get even more out of your share.
Follow us on Facebook! Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA Interacting with our Facebook page is a great way to let us know what is on your mind and how we can help. We love to hear from you, and we love to share tips and tricks with each other. Once you get the hang of CSA life, you’ll find that it provides wonderful benefits. We’re excited to hear more about how it works for you!
You have literally purchased a share of our harvest. This means that you share in the farm’s risks and rewards. Volume increases and decreases throughout the seasons, but we are working every day to provide a wide variety of high quality produce.
Joining a CSA is the best choice you can make to support your local farmers, to eat green, and to ensure the continuation of sustainable agriculture in your area. You can learn more about CSAs and how they work here.
How much does it cost?
We offer seasonal memberships (12 weeks) giving our members the chance to experience all the variety a season can produce. CSA members pay for the season in advance. Call us for current membership rates.
How many people will a share feed?
Our share is designed to provide enough produce for a family of 3-4. For the true vegetable fanatics, it works for two. Plenty of our folks enjoy splitting a share with a friend. If you are going on vacation, think about donating your produce to a needy family or offering it to a friend.
How often will my family receive our share?
Your share will be dropped off weekly on the day and at the location you selected. We know how much you love our boxes, but we need to keep them on the farm, so please bring your own bags to transfer your produce home.
Where and when do I pick up my share?
Pick up days are: Tuesdays or Fridays in downtown Ventura. You may receive your share delivered to your door within the city of Ventura for $5 delivery fee.
How do I manage all this gorgeous food?
You will enjoy your CSA share so much more if you set aside some time on your pick up day to wash your vegetables and store them properly. It may be intimidating at first to work through the whole bag, but if everything is prepped and ready to go, it really simplifies the routine.
Do I really need a salad spinner?
YES! It is helpful to stock a few other items in your kitchen as well – creativity, a spirit of adventure, and a good collection of cookbooks all come in handy.
What can I expect to receive?
We will post information about what to expect in your box on a weekly basis. In general, you should expect 9 – 12 items. Here is an idea of what we like to grow according to season:
In the Share
We grow a little bit of everything at Rio Gozo according to the conditions of our climate.
You may see what we have currently in the box under the post "The Haul"
or follow us on Facebook.
Here's an example of what past shares have included.
Spring: Arugula, Basil, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Cilantro, Chard, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Dill, Endive, Fava, Fennel, Flowers, Kale, Lettuce, Mint, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Radicchio, Spinach, Spring Onions, Squash Blossoms
Summer: Basil, Bell Peppers, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fava, Flowers, Garlic, Green Beans, Lavender, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Oregano, Peas, Chili Peppers, Potatoes, Tomato, Zucchini
Fall: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dill, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Kale, Lettuce, Potatoes, Radicchio, Radish, Turnips, Winter Squash
Winter: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli Rabe, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Chard, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Dill, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Parsnips, Radish, Spinach, Turnips
How do I learn more?
Please bookmark our blog. We are working to build a community forum with recipes and other useful information about getting the most out of CSA life. We provide updated links on the site to several organizations and bloggers who can help you get even more out of your share.
Follow us on Facebook! Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA Interacting with our Facebook page is a great way to let us know what is on your mind and how we can help. We love to hear from you, and we love to share tips and tricks with each other. Once you get the hang of CSA life, you’ll find that it provides wonderful benefits. We’re excited to hear more about how it works for you!
The Dirt on Rio Gozo's New Ventura CSA
Ventura residents have the opportunity to participate in Rio Gozo's latest good idea. We've decided to expand our current CSA down river. CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, is a program offering subscribers a weekly box of produce and a chance to have a direct connection to the food put on the table. In addition, becoming a CSA member is activism- subscribers support local food and small farms; in doing so they ensure healthy land stewardship practices.
Contact John and Elizabeth at (805) 272 8170 for more information on subscribing to the Ventura CSA. Or write us at riogozofarm@gmail.com.
Also, check out images of the farm on Flickr and Picasa, and tell everyone you know about Rio Gozo Farm Ventura CSA.
We're looking forward to putting local food on your plate.
(805) 272 8170
riogozofarm@gmail.com
Visit the farm and get your hands in the dirt.
