Join a CSA Today

Like every good fable, you too must do some preparing to reap the bounty of the harvest.  Our local farmers will be turning out goodies like asparagus, strawberries, squash, cucumbers and sugar snap peas in just a couple months.  They are working long and hard to prepare their soils, determine the most advantageous ways to rotate their crops, and attempt to time the weather.  All the advance planning we need to do as consumers of local foods is to sign up for an annual CSA, which stands for Community-Supported Agriculture.  The CSA is just that:  agriculture supported by the community.  Consumers pay for a share of the farm's produce, meat, cheese, flowers, or eggs in advance.  This upfront contribution allows farmers to purchase their needed supplies and materials at the beginning of the growing season and lowers their risk of loss.  In return, CSA purchasers receive weekly allotments from the farm.  The community of individuals shares the risks associated with weather and pests, but they also reap the rewards of the usually excellent harvests.  The further reward is a locally based food system that provides organic, whole foods to its constituents.  It is much like having a personal shopper who collects the best of the season at the farmers' market for you.  In reality, it also forces those who may not always choose the best foods to eat the best foods.

There are over 50 farms in the Piedmont region that participate in the CSA program.  For a mostly-complete listing, refer to the Growing Small Farms website published by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office.  Farms vary in location and delivery policy.  Typical, though, is a weekly portion that is either delivered to your home or to a neighborhood drop-off/pick-up location.  A couple of the favorites that deliver to Durham are Maple Spring Gardens, Bluebird Meadows, Harland's Creek Farm, Fickle Creek Farm, and Castlemaine Farm.  Now is the time to join these groups, though, because come springtime they will be full.  Hop to it!