OCTOBER 22, 2009 ISSUE
Locals Embrace Idea of Community Supported Agriculture
High Country CSA Celebrates Successful Season
The High Country CSA sold approximately 50 $500 shares during the 2009 season, and an additional $700 was sold by the CSA in the form of meats, cheeses and eggs from local farms, bringing the total revenue for the year to around $26,000. The HCCSA was formed this year with the help of its newly appointed director, Franya Hutchins, New River Organic Growers and volunteers and staff from Maverick Farms.
The idea of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) first began in 1965 by concerned mothers in Japan to address the quality and availability of fresh, healthy produce. Today CSA’s have evolved into a more mature version of the original concept.
The High Country CSA (HCCSA) was formed this year with the help of its newly appointed director, Franya Hutchins, New River Organic Growers (NROG) and volunteers and staff from Maverick Farms.
Hutchins said, “Maverick Farms is helping to facilitate the High Country CSA’s efforts between New River Organic Growers Co-op (NROG) and ASU’s Sustainable Agriculture Department to increase awareness and available shares.”
“NROG’s role is as liaison between ASU and the 13 privately-owned farms. The 13 farms that have chosen to participate are not only in Watauga but also extend to our neighboring counties. This helps bring a larger diversity to the produce, which is available each week by taking advantage of the many small microclimates we experience in the High Country,” said Angie Pate, marketing director for NROG.
This CSA program is intended to give concerned and health conscious consumers the choice to by locally grown produce at a reasonable price and from growers in their own backyard.
Before this season, Maverick Farms had offered local CSA shares but they were few in numbers and the farming was conducted on a much smaller scale. This season, 13 farms took part in the growing efforts in hopes to boost available shares and offer a larger diversity of items.
The local microclimates shared in the High Country offer a wide variety of growing conditions, but remember, the grower is always at the mercy of Mother Nature. Some years will show better results than others, but so far the history of this young CSA has proven its commitment to success.
Grant Awarded by N.C. Rural Center Helps With Seed Money
Maverick Farms received grant funding, which ends in December, from the N.C. Rural Center to help with the cost of managing and setting up administration for this nonprofit organization. For the remainder of this grant year Maverick Farms intends on planning and budgeting for next year.
The HCCSA sold single shares for $500 and sold approximately 50 shares during the 2009 season. An additional $700 was sold by the CSA in the form of meats, cheeses and eggs from local farms, bringing the total revenue for the year to around $26,000.
The variety of produce offered during this 20-week period was of course determined by what was in-season for that week. Each item was thoughtfully displayed and stored appropriately to ensure freshness.
Inspiring Community Is the Goal
CSA shareholders lined up and received their share of the produce every Tuesday between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone.
During the summer, the farms involved with the program made more than 48 different produce items available.
Examples of the produce offered ranged from strawberries, lettuces, tomatoes, Swiss chard, garlic, basil, cilantro and many others, which some buyers had never seen or heard of before.
Participants could be found gathered in front of Bare Essentials, weighing their weekly share of fresh produce, trading recipes and catching up with each other. It’s all about activating the community, getting people together, talking, sharing a laugh and supporting the local economy.
Thirteen vegetable farms, two meat farms, a fruit farm and a goat dairy added to the average of 12 items to be picked up each week by shareholders. The farms could be found in Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Avery counties.
The last pickup date offered for the season was scheduled for this past Tuesday, October 20. HCCSA hopes to add additional farms to the effort next year and also hopes to increase its available share by double.
For more information, email highcountrycsa@gmail.com or call 828-963-4656.
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