Spring is in the air and I'm starting to plant my flowers and a few veggies. I've also signed up for a share of the local farmers vegetable garden through a program called CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. In this program, a local farmer plants a garden that will be divided among shareholders. If the garden does well, everyone gets lots of veggies, if not then we all get less. There is a shared risk, but also the potential for gain too.
I have paticipated in two different CSA's one in MI and one in Seattle. In both cases, we received excellent fresh organically grown veggies and enjoyed the seasonal nature of the garden. I tried a few veggies that I never would have purchased on my own. For example Fava beans. Delightful fresh, these beans are also used in italian dishes and soups.
This picture from last year's harvest higlights the lovely fresh vegetables and bountiful variety of colors and textures.
Part of the fun is visiting the farm and seeing the garden. Our CSA has two farm visits a year. In the spring everyone plants a pumpkin and in the fall we all harvest our own pumpkin. It is wonderful to see kids excited about growing things.
There is a great website that provides information about the CSA's across the USA.
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