Looking for garden fresh vegetables for your family this summer? No space or time for a garden of your own? Maybe CSA (community supported agriculture) is right for you. According to the USDA website, a CSA is a partnership between “the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production”. Basically, a farm sells shares before the growing season, to interested community members. In exchange, the members receive produce throughout the growing season. The program helps support local farmers by “preselling” their produce and boosting the cash flow of the farm. Members get a variety of fresh produce that can range from vegetables and fruit, to wine, eggs, honey and flowers. The amount of produce a member receives depends on whether you purchase a full or half share and the bountifulness of the harvest.
Local Farms Offering CSA
Clagett Farm, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, not only offers two CSA programs, but also supports the Capital Area Food Bank with about half of its harvest. The traditional CSA, offers full price shares ranging from $565 to $625 for new members. For qualified low income members, there is a reduced rate that ranges from $257.50 to $287.50. The farm offers a work share program that allows an individual to work on the farm four hours a week during the growing season and receive a share of produce.
Roundabout Hills, in Glenwood, Maryland, offers eggs as an option to its CSA program. The website states “our aim in starting up Roundabout Hills farm is to give you the chance to eat fresh, naturally grown food free from pesticides and other chemicals”. A full share runs $1008 for 24 weeks of produce including a dozen eggs. A half share will run $828 with ½ dozen eggs for the same 24 weeks.
Dragonfly Farms, in Mount Airy, Maryland provides not only an incredible range of produce and price offerings, but also has a wide range of pick up locations for your weekly share. The CSA ranges from a mini share for $175 to a multi season, premium share for $2695 that includes “direct from the farm fresh flowers, artisanal bread, fresh sausage, artisanal cheese, local Maryland honey, fresh roasted, fair-trade gourmet coffee, authentic slow-fermented wine vinegar, local fresh chickens, farm-raised turkey, and farm fresh eggs from humanely-treated hens”.