This Chicken CSA is available from June to September. Options available are one fresh or freshly-frozen pasture-raised 4-5 lb Cornish Cross Chicken per week, picked up at the farm or at Schroon Lake, North Creek or Essex, NY farmers markets. Pickup once or twice in the season to fill your freezer. Alternately, reserve birds for a summer chicken barbeque party. Please contact us at least 2 months before your party to reserve your chickens.We process these birds each week during the growing season. They can be either whole or halved, which is nice for barbeques. Halved birds are also usually enough for a smaller 2-3 person household. They also store well in the freezer.

Note that farmers market pickup in Essex or Schroon Lake is only available during the weeks from June 26 to September 4, 2011, as they are both summer-only markets. This year North Creek begins June 16 and runs to October. We would be happy to set you up within that time period. Let us know what works for you.We will be happy to answer any of your questions. Deadline for signup for this CSA is June 1. Slots are limited so it will be on a first-come basis.These Cornish-cross broiler chickens arrive through the mail at our farm from Altoona, PA as 1-2 day old chicks. They are raised in a brooder until feathered out at 2-3 weeks old whereupon we move them into portable floorless pens where they are given good-quality, antibiotic-free, nonmedicated feed twice daily and plenty of fresh water. The pens are moved a la Joel Salatin's model through our fields where the chickens have the opportunity to eat fresh plants, insects and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

The pens have roofs for shade and rain protection, and chicken wire sides for predator protection.We only raise chickens during the late spring through mid-fall when optimal pasture growth is available. We process the birds ourselves under low stress conditions at least once weekly, more often in the height of the growing season. Our birds have the opportunity to live the best chicken life possible and usually grow to 4-5 pounds in 7-8 weeks.These Cornish Rock broilers are succulent, tender and much tastier than any supermarket or restaurant chicken we have ever tasted. We believe in quality of life and health of our animals over quantity. What we enjoy for our family has led us to offer the same to the community at large.

We do have frozen whole and halved birds available through the 2010-2011 winter. They were the last batch from fall 2010. Contact us to try some.This is our first time offering a chicken CSA. After 5 years of raising these birds and selling on a first come basis, or a limited preorder basis, we are hoping this CSA will help keep our chicken customers satisfied. Depending on how this CSA program goes, we may continue with additional weeks into the fall. Usually we offer bulk purchases at the end of the season to our farmers market customers in order to take chicken lovers through the winter. If you would like to stock up then let us know so that we are sure to raise enough birds!

Our children are now the 4th generation of the family to live and work here on our farm. We raise poultry, sheep, pigs and fresh vegetables. The difference we see for ourselves has led us to provide the same to the general public.Spring is in the air. We have had above freezing temperatures after weeks of wintery weather. Lambs are coming fast and furious. Shearing is in mid-March.

We are making plans for 2011. Planting and chicken raising are right around the corner. At the farm we have chicken and duck eggs and frozen chicken, both wholes and halves for sale. Roast a whole bird and then make soup or stew with the leftovers...if there are any. We are usually home this time of year, mostly working in the barn or greenhouse.

CSA Details:
- Season: June through September
- Type: Single farm
- Since: 2006
- No of Shares: 20
- Full Share: $200 for ten weeks of ten 4-5 lb birds -- weekly or biweekly pickup
- 1/2 Share: $ 100 for 5 birds
- Work Req? No

Pick Up/Drop Off Points:

- At the farm, Maple Grove Farm, Putnam Station, NY  (Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat)
Pick up here at the farm is available most days, please let us know when you plan to come as we are at Farmers Markets in the summer on some mornings and other afternoons. We are 3 miles from Gull Bay on Lake George and about 10-20 minutes from Huletts Landing and Glenburnie, depending on where your camp is on the lake.
Contact:    John & Mary Anne Smith
Phone:    518-547-9511
Address:    16297 State Route 22 , Putnam Station, NY 12861

- Farmers Market Essex, NY  (Sun)
Farmers Market runs from late June to Labor Day on Sundays from 10-2 pm. If picking up chicken be sure to bring a cooler if you do not plan to take your bird right home.
Contact:    John or Mary Anne
Address:    Town Center , Essex, NY 12936

- Farmers Market North Creek, NY  (Thu)
Farmers Market runs from late June to October on Thursdays from 3-6 pm. If picking up chicken be sure to bring a cooler if you do not plan to take your bird right home.
Contact: John or Mary Anne
Address: North Creek Train Station , North Creek , NY 12853

- Farmers Market Schroon Lake, NY  (Mon)
Farmers Market runs from late June to Labor Day on Mondays from 9-1 pm. If picking up chicken be sure to bring a cooler if you do not plan to take your bird right home.
Contact: John or Mary Anne
Address: Town Hall Parking Lot,Schroon Lake, NY 12870