7.21.2010

First CSA experience

This summer, Tom and I were fortunate enough to take part in our very first C.S.A. (community supported agriculture).  Tom works in Mississippi, so he and some of his co-workers signed up for weekly fruit and vegetable deliveries from Steede Farms, located in Lucedale, MS.  Many C.S.A.s operate differently, some require manual labor from their members (monthly or bi-monthly maintenance), some deliver produce while others are a "pick-your-own" operation. How they operate, of course is heavily influenced by farm size, membership size, and trial-and-error. We were members of Steede Farms' inaugural C.S.A. experience. And from what I understand, it was quite overwhelming. Our deliveries were supposed to run from the beginning of June through the end of August. Unfortunately, the stress on the farmers and on the land in combination with the heavy summer rainstorms and high temperatures has put our deliveries on hold until September. Despite this set-back, I honestly couldn't be happier with Steede Farms and I would sign up again in a heartbeat.
We only signed up for the "half"box which equated to about 10lbs/week (I couldn't imagine the full box!). We ended up getting zucchini, summer squash, pattypan squash, okra, tomatoes, bell peppers, banana peppers, chile de arbol peppers (way WAY too hot for me), watermelon, cantaloupe and much more! We've been able to eat fresh, local vegetables throughout the summer, we've tried new recipes, and we've been able to store a good amount for the winter.  All-in-all in was a wonderful experience. I can't wait until this fall when we get a new harvest!

If you haven't had a chance to sign up for a C.S.A. (I know, it's a bit late in the season...but next year!), please do! If you don't know where to find a C.S.A. or with whom to get in touch, look around websites or local blogs to see if you can find one in your area, you may be surprised!

3 comments:

  1. I can eat those peppers like candy. That was a relief to know that the CSA to which you were referring was Community Supported Agriculture rather than the other CSA, the Confederacy. With you being from Richmond and Tom being a Mississippian, I thought y'all had taken up reenacting...which would have been quite lame.

    --Andy

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  2. False. You and Tom were both chugging chocolate milk like it was water. Candy? Yeah, candy that's on fire.

    And reenacting??? That's not a bad idea...

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