FEBRUARY 11, 2010 ISSUE
Community Supported Agriculture Food Memberships Now Available
Though it is cold outside, Community Supported Agriculture food memberships are now available in Watauga County.
In response to food safety concerns and the urbanization of agricultural land, groups of farmers and consumers in Germany, Switzerland and Japan started a movement and system of farming called Community Supported Agriculture. This began in the 1960s and that initial vision has reached many other countries since that era. In the High Country, CSAs, as they are called, have been available for the past five years. People interested in receiving a weekly supply of fresh produce, cut flowers and/or meat, goat cheese and bread, can become a CSA member of a local farm that sells shares of their farmed goods. Some local farms are selling shares now with pick up dates generally starting the first week in June.
The CSAs became so popular that Maverick Farms in Valle Crucis has launched High Country Community Supported Agriculture, which links area consumers to local vegetable farms.
While not a complete list, the following farms are offering CSAs in Watauga County:
Creeksong Farm offers 20 half shares and 30 full shares for the 2010 CSA season. A variety of produce, plants and beef will be available. All shares run 20 weeks, from June 2 through October 22. Half shares cost $300, with $15 worth of food received weekly, while full shares cost $500 with $25 worth of food received each week. Two pick up days are held for 2010: 30 shares can be picked up on Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Agricultural Extension Building in Boone, or at Creeksong Farm in Creston. The remaining 10 shares will be available for pick up at the Watauga County Farmers Market on Saturdays from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. Shares are offered to returning members first. For more information, call 336-385-6302 or email creeksongfarm@gmail.com.
Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery now offers cut flower subscription for CSA. Members can schedule for 10, 15, or 20 weeks of fresh flower bouquets with the pick up location at the Wednesday Watauga County Farmers Market, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Members and subscribers will receive a large arrangement of Shady Grove’s best flowers in a bucket, for transport. For a few weeks in late October and the beginning of November, there will be no flowers; on the Saturday Watauga County Farmers Market following Thanksgiving, red winterberry holly will be available, as a cutting that can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season. For more information, call Susan Wright or Brent Cochran at 828-297-4098 or email sggarden@skybest.com.
High Country Community Supported Agriculture, a multi-farm CSA, offers 100 full shares. The season runs 20 weeks, from June 1 through October 12. Pick up is every Tuesday in front of Bare Essentials Natural Market in Boone, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. As a market-style initiative, members weigh and pack their own share: the full shares can be split between two members, if desired. Cost is $525 per vegetable share, with six to ten different vegetables available at each pick up, valued at $25. EBT and SNAP benefits can pay for partial amounts of the share; payment plans are also available. The High Country CSA is comprised of 18 farms located in a five-county radius, with the majority concentrated in Ashe and Watauga. All CSA members must also fulfill a six-hour work requirement each season on a farm, at a pick up locale or by organizing a member event. Local meat, eggs and goat cheese will be available every week by order and a flower, fruit and bread share may also be offered. Franya Hutchins is the coordinator. As such, she helps with the winter CSA as well.
“The winter CSA has been a big success,” said Hutchins. “No need to stop eating local just because it’s cold.”
For more information and/or to join, call 828-963-4656, email highcountrycsa@gmail.com or click to www.maverickfarms.com.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
