The state of Ohio is a great farming state. The rich soil in northern Ohio provides abundant crops of fruits and vegetables. The land in southeastern Ohio soil establishes a tough, but productive farming land in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Farmers in Ohio not only provide quality food products for this great nation, but farmers also help take care of their neighbors with Community Supported Agriculture Farms. This article provides a short overview of some Community Supported Agriculture Farms (CSA’s) in Ohio.
Community Supported Agriculture Farms or CSA’s
Here is one explanation of the structure of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Farmers provide a certain amount of their harvest to their community to buy. Usually the produce used in the Community Supported Agriculture farming program is placed in boxes. The community members pay an established amount of money to farmers to become members. The advantages to this is two fold. Farmers are given opportunities to provide for their communities. The second positive is the idea that members are given an opportunity to purchase homegrown products from people they know. In some cases, Community Supported Agriculture Farm members get to pick their own foods from the fields.
Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey
In 2007, the Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey Farm became a part of Ohio’s Community Supported Agriculture program. Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey Farm is located in Wadsworth, Ohio. Wadsworth, Ohio is a part of Medina County. The Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey Community Supported Agriculture Farm provides a wide range of homegrown fruits and vegetables to choose from. This farm grows a variety of eggplant. It also has okra, kale and kohrabi according to www.bakersproduce.com.
The people that care for the produce at Baker’s discovered that bees really do help the growth of the fruits and vegetables. Not only does Baker’s Fresh Produce provide members with great fruits and vegetables, but also another great product from nature; honey.
The Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey Community Supported Agriculture farm offers its’ community “forty shares” according to www.bakersproduce.com. Each share costs $500 and each member must contribute three hours of work at Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey each season.
Toad Hill Organic Farm
The Toad Hill Organic Farm is located in Danville, Ohio which is a part of Knox County. The Toad Hill Organic Farm address is 16261 Sapps Run Road, Danville, Ohio. This CSA Farm is owned by Tim and Tina Patrick.
The Toad Hill Organic Farm not only offers members a wide range of vegetables, but eggs from chickens raised on this farm. The Toad Hill Organic Farm also raises lambs. Not only is Toad Hill Organic Farm a Community Supported Agriculture Farm, but has also become a reputable resource for many Columbus, Ohio restaurants.
Lone Oak Farms
Lone Oak Farms is located in Bellaire in southeastern Ohio. The Lone Oak Farm is also recognized as a Certified Naturally Grown Farm. This means that the caretakers of the produce on this farm do not use any pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. For more information about Lone Oak Farms, please check out the website www.loneokfarmsonline.com.
Bird’s Haven Farm
The Bird’s Haven Farm is located near Granville, Ohio. It is owned by Dr. Tom and Ann Bird according to www.birdshavvenfarm.com. Bird’s Haven Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture Farm that allows members to pick their own food. Recently, the Bird Haven Farm increased its output by adding greenhouses to the farm. The CSA also offers members inhouse produced eggs.
I was raised near my maternal grandparents farm. My grandma took care of a large garden and the chickens, while my grandfather took care of the cattle. I still have great memories of home cooked meals that came from my grandparents’ farm. There was something about being a part of the hard work on their farm that made me appreciate those Sunday afternoon meals even more. I was raised in a farming community that not only took care of their family, but also their community through their farms. I appreciate the concept and works of Community Supported Agriculture Farms.
Sources:
www.localharvest.org/toadhillfarm
www.bakersproduce.com
www.loneoakfarmonline.com
www.ec.ohio.com