Community Supported Agriculture

Want to eat fresh, healthy food and support a local farmer? CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) are basically "subscription farms." Farmers sell "shares" to community members in exchange for a box of produce and perhaps some other farm products like flowers or eggs each week during the growing season. Typically, CSA farmers strive for an ecologically responsible system and many are certified as organic. Members of the CSA provide the farmer with capital needed at the start of the season and often also contribute a few hours of labor during the season.  

I was a member of a CSA in Lincoln two years ago. I received more organic produce each week than could be believed! (I was able to freeze veggies to enjoy during the winter months.) Unfortunately, it was a bad season for tomatoes, so I didn't receive many of them, but those are the risks you take by sharing in the ups and downs of local farming. But there were plenty of salad greens, beats, carrots, herbs, onions, potatoes, and unusual veggies I hadn't tried yet, not to mention the wealth of pick your own berries and wildflowers! I believe I had to contribute 4 hours of labor (planting the seedlings, weeding, harvesting, etc.) for the season. Receiving all that great produce was really good for my diet, and I would have spent much more if I'd purchased organic veggies from the supermarket. It was also fun to pick berries with other families and watch the kids try and chase the roosters or coax the rabbits out of their hutch.

This is the time to join a CSA and support a local farmer. CSA popularity has been growing and the available slots in this area fill up quickly during the spring months.  To find a CSA, go to www.localharvest.org.