Community Supported Agriculture - all natural, all local and so delicious!
May 9, 2008, I got an interesting e-mail from my sister, Becky, about Windy Meadows Farms located in Walworth. This was one of the first times I had heard of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and wasn't sure what I initially thought. In the past, I would just buy whatever vegetables we wanted to eat for the week at the grocery store. I never gave much thought to the fact that these foods are not (typically) locally grown, have (likely) been given steroids to increase the speed of their development, and may have been sprayed by Lord only knows what sort of bug killing (and potentially human hurting) chemicals. Then, they are flown from all over the United States, or even the world, to sit on a shelf in our local stores.
As we had our baby girls and started to make my own baby food, it became increasingly important that I knew exactly what was going into their tiny little bodies. This is when I really got on bored with buying all natural and, when possible, locally grown foods.
There are many advantages to buying a CSA share. You have the peace of mind knowing everything is locally grown, all natural ,and fresh! The amount of vegetables you receive can be (almost) overwhelming. There is plenty of produce to both feed your family as well as can/freeze for future meals every single week. It allows you to get creative and try different ways of cooking various vegetables. There are many pick-up locations making it convenient to work into your busy schedule. And, by supporting local farm businesses, you're helping our own economy.
A disadvantage is that you may buy a CSA share only to find out the environmental conditions, for whatever reason, have played a negative effect on the produce. With Community Supported Agriculture you commit to supporting the farm regardless of what goods you get. There are times you wish for more of one thing and less of something else, but that's not a choice you are free to make. The farmer(s) decide what and how much you are free to take.
Dave and I feel the advantages far out weigh the disadvantages which is why we have just renewed our account with Windy Meadow Farms. This year we also choose to add their "large egg option" where we'll get fresh all natural eggs weekly! An added bonus is that we personally know Brenda, who owns the farm with her husband and children, and feel blessed to help support them!
So, I know the big questions are; what types of food are included in a CSA and how much does it cost?!
Here is Windy Meadow Farms estimated harvest schedule. In their own words, "Every year is different, weather, bugs, flood, drought and other acts of God need to be considered. All of these crops WILL NOT be available every year due to some possible crop failures, however, the diversity we grow assures a good selection each year."
July
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Green Beans
Carrots
Cilantro
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Sugar Snap Peas
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Radish
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Summer Squash
Thyme
Zucchini
August
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Bell Pepper
Green Beans
Cabbage
Cilantro
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Patty Pans
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Summer Squash
Tomatoes (Plum, Cherry, Beefsteak)
Thyme
Zucchini
September
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cantaloupe (?)
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cilantro
Collards
Sweet Corn
Dill
Eggplant
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Tomatoes (Plum, Cherry, Beefsteak)
Thyme
Rutabaga/Parsnips/Turnips (?)
October
Arugula
Beets
Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Eggplant
Parsley
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Winter Squash
Rutabaga/Parsnips/Turnips (?)
For those willing to pick up your produce at the farm (in Walworth) each week the cost of a half share (for the entire season) is $126.00, while a full share is $252.00. Other locations are more expensive. If you wanted to add a dozen eggs each week it's an additional $54.00.
This year have gone in on a full share with 2 other families. The total cost for each family is $84.00 and we split the produce evenly. This comes down to $4.70 a week for the months of July - October and, if you like to freeze and can (like we do) it will provide more than enough vegetables to feed your family through the winter.
Since Dave and I added the eggs to our own personal share, it increased our total to $138.00 ($7.70 a week) for this 2014 growing season. A price we are more than willing to pay when ensuring the health of our family, and yet we're still saving money when you compare your all natural/organic produce and egg expenses to the local grocery stores!
As we had our baby girls and started to make my own baby food, it became increasingly important that I knew exactly what was going into their tiny little bodies. This is when I really got on bored with buying all natural and, when possible, locally grown foods.
There are many advantages to buying a CSA share. You have the peace of mind knowing everything is locally grown, all natural ,and fresh! The amount of vegetables you receive can be (almost) overwhelming. There is plenty of produce to both feed your family as well as can/freeze for future meals every single week. It allows you to get creative and try different ways of cooking various vegetables. There are many pick-up locations making it convenient to work into your busy schedule. And, by supporting local farm businesses, you're helping our own economy.
A disadvantage is that you may buy a CSA share only to find out the environmental conditions, for whatever reason, have played a negative effect on the produce. With Community Supported Agriculture you commit to supporting the farm regardless of what goods you get. There are times you wish for more of one thing and less of something else, but that's not a choice you are free to make. The farmer(s) decide what and how much you are free to take.
Dave and I feel the advantages far out weigh the disadvantages which is why we have just renewed our account with Windy Meadow Farms. This year we also choose to add their "large egg option" where we'll get fresh all natural eggs weekly! An added bonus is that we personally know Brenda, who owns the farm with her husband and children, and feel blessed to help support them!
So, I know the big questions are; what types of food are included in a CSA and how much does it cost?!
Here is Windy Meadow Farms estimated harvest schedule. In their own words, "Every year is different, weather, bugs, flood, drought and other acts of God need to be considered. All of these crops WILL NOT be available every year due to some possible crop failures, however, the diversity we grow assures a good selection each year."
July
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Green Beans
Carrots
Cilantro
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Sugar Snap Peas
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Radish
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Summer Squash
Thyme
Zucchini
August
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Bell Pepper
Green Beans
Cabbage
Cilantro
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Dill
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Patty Pans
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Summer Squash
Tomatoes (Plum, Cherry, Beefsteak)
Thyme
Zucchini
September
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cantaloupe (?)
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cilantro
Collards
Sweet Corn
Dill
Eggplant
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Spinach
Tomatoes (Plum, Cherry, Beefsteak)
Thyme
Rutabaga/Parsnips/Turnips (?)
October
Arugula
Beets
Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Eggplant
Parsley
Peppers (Red, Yellow, Bell, Jalapeño)
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Sage
Salad Mix (Green Leaf, Red Leaf)
Scallions
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Winter Squash
Rutabaga/Parsnips/Turnips (?)
For those willing to pick up your produce at the farm (in Walworth) each week the cost of a half share (for the entire season) is $126.00, while a full share is $252.00. Other locations are more expensive. If you wanted to add a dozen eggs each week it's an additional $54.00.
This year have gone in on a full share with 2 other families. The total cost for each family is $84.00 and we split the produce evenly. This comes down to $4.70 a week for the months of July - October and, if you like to freeze and can (like we do) it will provide more than enough vegetables to feed your family through the winter.
Since Dave and I added the eggs to our own personal share, it increased our total to $138.00 ($7.70 a week) for this 2014 growing season. A price we are more than willing to pay when ensuring the health of our family, and yet we're still saving money when you compare your all natural/organic produce and egg expenses to the local grocery stores!
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