Join a C.S.A.

If you want fresher, better-for-you, tastier vegetables, look into joining a local C.S.A. ~ Community Supported Agriculture. 

At present, we are members of a C.S.A. in Bradenton ~ Geraldson Community Farm. 

The farm, operated by Florida West Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council (a 501(c)(3) non-profit), explains the CSA concept as follows:

Geraldson Community Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.  This structure is an innovative way to connect local consumers with local farmers. 

At the beginning of each season “members” invest financially in the farm (much like a shareholder of a company).  This investment helps pay for seeds, equipment, labor, compost, etc.

During the season, members reap the benefits of their investment.  Every week members can come to the farm or a delivery site to receive a portion of that week’s harvest.  The CSA structure creates a mutually supportive relationship where members know their farmers and the growing methods and the farm has security within the community.  Members essentially partner with the farm, sharing in both the bountiful harvest and the risk of crop failure.

What you really need to know:  every week, members pick up locally grown, delicious, organic fruits and vegetables to enjoy ~ just-picked produce which hasn’t traveled 3,000 miles across the country, or half-way around the world, before ending up in your grocery store.

And it is G-O-O-D!!!!

Before moving to Florida, we were members of Provident Organic Farm in Bivalve, Maryland.  That CSA operates in a similar fashion: 

Each year, before the growing season starts, the farm sells memberships to local community members.  During the growing season, members pick up weekly shares of FRESH just-picked produce from the farm.

The biggest difference between the operation of the two farms is the growing season itself: 

* In Florida, members pick up shares from November to May. 
* In Maryland, share pick ups run from May to November.

Mother Nature . . . gotta love her!

Related Posts & Resources:  Tiny Green Thumbs Workshop * Local Harvest (put in your zip code to search for nearby farms) * CSA Resources * Alternative Farming Systems Information Center