Community Supported Agriculture

A few years ago my older sister, who is a librarian, recommended that I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  The book illustrates one family's year of eating only food they had raised or grown themselves in addition to locally produced goods.

I was still in college when I first read the book but it had a strong effect on how I think about food.  I decided to reread portions of the book last summer as I struggled to grow tomatoes on my small apartment patio and cook with locally grown ingredients.

I spotted Animal, Vegetable, Miracle on my book shelf the other day and it gave me an idea.  I'm FINALLY feeling like, or am hoping that, spring is in sight here in Minnesota.  Because I've got spring fever, I thought it would be good to do a little post about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  CSAs provide an alternative to regular food distribution centering around locally grown produce.

Twenty-somethings don’t often have the time or space to have a garden of their own.  (My patio tomato only produced four tomatoes and a three day vacation in the early fall sent my herbs to their grave.) That is why a CSA membership is so great! Someone does the seeding, growing, loving, and harvesting for you so you can enjoy the best food your area has to offer!  You also know that your hard earned money is staying within the community and supporting an organization or neighbor just down the street.  

I hope this brings you a little more information about the cost savings and immense benefits that come from purchasing CSA shares.

• Becoming a member of a CSA allows you to follow the benefits and the risks of growing your own produce as a local farmer does.
• Depending on where you live and what CSA you subscribe to, you can get produce, flowers, honey, eggs, dairy products, herbs, and even meat on a weekly or biweekly basis.    
• CSA boxes are either delivered or offered at pick-up locations in your area.    
• Because cooking with produce that is in season can often be a difficult transition for people, CSA's often provide recipes on their websites or in the CSA box.  
• Depending on the size and operation of the farm or garden, you may even be able to exchange labor for goods. 
• A half share is usually perfect for two people or one veggie lover. If you are worried about the price and eating all of the produce I would recommend going in on a share with another friend.
• While the cost of a CSA is expensive up front (to help off-set start of the season expenses for the farmer), the average cost of just produce for two people is around $15 a week depending on location. This is a savings of around $240-$300 for the summer and fall.  

Lida Farm- Pelican Rapids, MN

Background:

Lida Farm is owned and operated solely by Ryan and Maree Pesch with help from their children Sylvia, Willem, and Graham.

Membership Provides:

Lida Farms provides 16 weeks of full share or every-other-week share, seasonal produce grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers available through pick-up or delivery. Whole chickens are also available for purchase. There are opportunities to visit the farm as well as an Annual Harvest Party for members of the CSA.  

Websites:

http://www.lidafarm.com/
http://www.facebook.com/lidafarm

Common Grounds Garden- St. Joseph, MN

Background:

Common Ground Garden is a ministry of St. Benedict's Monastery. 

Membership Provides:

Common Ground offers full and half share boxes for 17 to 18 weeks of garden fresh and naturally grown vegetables and flowers. In addition to produce they partner with other farmers and artisans to provide the option of a bread share, egg share, and/or a beef and pork share. They have two pick-up locations, St. Cloud and at the garden in St. Joseph. 

Website:

http://sbm.osb.org/ministries/common_ground_garden/subscribe/
or on Facebook found under Common Ground Garden

If you are interested in finding a CSA that is near you check out this CSA Farm Directory for the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin. 

http://landstewardshipproject.org/stewardshipfood/csa

Not from the great state of Minnesota? Use your favorite search engine and just look into subscribing! Talk to your farmers about payment and share options!

Don't have enough money to buy a CSA share this year? Was our post too late to get you a spot at the farm you're interested in? Save up money every month in your food budget and you'll be thanking yourself next spring, summer, and fall! 

Think globally, act locally! 

Love for all-

Whitney