Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)-Clagett Farm

[captainjaroslav]

Hey All,

(This is the first thread I've ever started here!) I did a search and saw that CSA had been mentioned on this forum a couple of times but had not been talked about a lot, so I thought now would be a good time, since this is when shares are being sold. Have people on this list participated in these programs? Do you have a favorite? (I won't explain CSA here, you can Google the terms and get a much more complete description than I could give.)

I'm a transplant here from Seattle (Lancaster, PA before that and Portland, OR before that) and I was tempted to participate in a program while there, but never got around to it. This year I finally signed up for a share at Clagett Farm (www.clagettfarm.org) in Upper Marlboro and I can't wait for May so that I can get my first box of produce.

That brings me to the other reason for this post... I am wondering if there are any other eGulleteers near me (Hyattsville) out there who have Clagett Farm shares and might be interested in sharing pickup duties. Anyone?

Edited April 1, 2005 by captainjaroslav (log)

[captainjaroslav]

Oh c'mon. I can't believe nobody has any thoughts on CSA! You can't eat out every night. Hasn't anybody here participated in one of these programs? What was your share like? Too big? Too small? Not enough variety? Too many collards? (Though I'm not sure how that could be possible.)

If you are curious, but don't feel like looking it up, here's a short definition:

"CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it."

I clipped that from this site:

http://www.umassvegetable.org/food_farming...tml#What_is_CSA

Where you can find more info.

-John

[DTBarton]

I had a Claggett Farm share two years ago. I found the shares to be smallish and somewhat lacking in variety. This can't be taken as representative, however, because 2003 was an abysmal growing year, cool and soakingly wet all spring and first half of summer. Veterans of Claggett said that 03 was really meager compared to a good (or even average) year. Got plenty of collards and kale, some nice salad greens, and some tomatoes, peppers, and chili peppers. My favorite times were picking some things myself. They opened the broccoli patch at the end of the harvest, got a great bag of stuff there. Same for tomatoes, I got a nice big bag 2 weeks in a row by picking them myself in the mostly finished field. Also have nice cutting flowers for pick it yourself, so take some clippers if you're in to that.

I opted not to do it again because of the somewhat lengthy drive (I live near Annapolis) and the fact that I'm growing much more of my own stuff at home lately.

[chuchelo]

I had a CSA share from Bull Run Mountain "Organic" Farm for 3 or 4 years. I put organic in quotes because after all the rules/regs about organic designation came out although they had been using organic methods from the beginning, they decided they didn't want to go through the hassle/expense of getting officially designated. As far as I know they are still using organic methods for everything.

Anyway, I stopped mostly because the pickup night and time conflicted with my work schedule and it was way, way, way too stressful getting the share into the house. Also, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather get my veggies at the time and in the quantity that I really need. I'm not saying I'd never do CSA again; at the moment it's not for me. The family at Bull Run are very nice and if anyone is considering CSA I suggest checking them out. They deliver to pickup points on Capitol Hill, in Arlington, Dupont Circle, Alexandria, Manassas and Centerville. You can also pick up at the farm.

[HerndonJake]

A few years back we did a CSA with a farm out past Hillsboro, VA (can't remember the name). We liked the exposure to some items we had not tried before such as shard and kholrobi. Some weeks seemded a bit redundant but it was always a nice variety and quantity. The drive out to the farm for a pick up was a bit much after a while but the kids liked to visit and see the animals they had out back.

This season we signed up with the Potomac Vegetable Farms, much closer to home. We're very much looking forward to what they have to offer and we also opted for the weekly flower share.

If you can go with the flow and try new items and menu ideas, its well worth the effort in my opinion.

[bookluvingbabe]

I did the Bull Run share for a year (2003) and it didn't work for us very well. Mr. BLB wasn't crazy about shlepping over to pick up stuff on the days I had to work or was out of town. I was still spending a fortune at the farmers market because the fruit wasn't very good or plentiful. We also couldn't use the eggs up fast enough. We lost a week to the Hurricane and we weren't able to make it up. Etc...

I love the idea; maybe in another time and place in my life.

Jennifer