Questions farmers ask us
Answers about GrownBy CSA, Register, and fees, all in one place. For step-by-step help, visit the Knowledge Base.
CSA software
What is CSA software?
CSA software runs the business side of a community supported agriculture program: selling shares online, collecting payments and installments, managing members, pickups, and deliveries, and building harvest and packing lists. GrownBy CSA does all of this in one farmer-owned system.
How much does GrownBy CSA cost?
GrownBy CSA is $50 USD / $70 CAD per month and Custom CSA is $85 USD / $120 CAD per month. Pay annually to save 10%, and co‑op members save another 10%. Card processing and a 2% co‑op fee apply to card and ACH payments. There are no limits on members, locations, or sales.
Can members customize their CSA shares?
Yes. With GrownBy Custom CSA, members save their preferences in their own words and GrownBy matches them to your harvest, while you stay in control of what goes in each box. You can run separate customization windows for different distribution days or customer groups.
Can CSA members pay with SNAP/EBT?
Yes. SNAP/EBT acceptance is included with GrownBy CSA for authorized farms, so members using SNAP can buy shares online.
Can members pay for shares in installments?
Yes. Set a share price, deposit, and final payment date, and GrownBy builds each member’s payment schedule, even when they join mid-season.
How do vacation weeks work?
Each share can include vacation weeks. Members claim them as needed and receive farm credit in return, and you can skip distribution days of your own.
Can I sell more than CSA shares?
Yes. Every CSA plan includes an online farm store. Add GrownBy Wholesale, or use GrownBy Plus for CSA and wholesale in one dashboard, and GrownBy Register for farmers markets and farm stands. Inventory and customers are shared.
Who owns GrownBy?
GrownBy is built by Farm Generations Cooperative, which is majority-owned by the farmers who use it. Any farm selling on GrownBy can become a member-owner.
How do I get started?
Book a demo with a CSA specialist who has farmed. We’ll walk through your CSA and help you set up your shares.
GrownBy Register
Do I need special hardware?
No. Register runs on an iOS or Android phone or tablet. On most phones, you can take cards with tap to pay, with no extra equipment. A card reader, scanner, printer, and cash drawer are optional.
What does it cost?
$50 USD / $70 CAD per month, plus 2.75% + $0.20 USD per card transaction. There’s no extra charge for multiple locations.
Does inventory sync with my online store?
Yes. Register and your GrownBy shop share one inventory, so you won’t oversell.
Fees and payment processing
Should I choose Stripe or Fortis?
Both work with every GrownBy plan. Stripe has no monthly fee and also handles ACH bank payments. Fortis has lower per-transaction rates and handles in-person SNAP/EBT with Register, for $6 USD per month. We’ll help you pick on your demo call.
What does the 2% co‑op fee pay for?
It funds the operations of Farm Generations Cooperative, which builds GrownBy and is owned by the farms that use it. Our fees fund the co‑op, not investors.
Are any sales exempt from the co‑op fee?
Yes. There’s no co‑op fee on Register sales, cash, checks, or other offline payments.
Can my customers pay the fees?
Yes. You can include fees at checkout, ask customers to cover them, or invite an optional tip. See “You choose who covers the fees” above.
Do I pay more for more locations or products?
No. Every plan includes unlimited locations, products, customers, and sales.