We bought a half -share into a farm that exists only for its share holders. It is $200 a year and we’ll bring home boxes of fruit and veggies every week. I’m going to volunteer there too, and they’ve promised to load me up even more. They offer more than 50 kinds of produce.
These kinds of farms exist only for their shareholders. We have a miserable backyard for a garden, though we’re doing some raised beds and container growing. I’ve been growing my own produce from seed and they’re sprouting nicely. But this farm will certainly add to our ability to dehydrate and can produce this growing season. And $200 is a small price to pay.
Find a CSA near you here:
Your state agriculture department likely also has lists of CSA farms. Unfortunately, this movement appears to be dwindling in our area. I couldn't find a single CSA within reasonable driving distance, every one that had been operating close by was gone.
Another really good way to get fresh vegetables and fruit is pick your own farms. Your state ag. dept. will have lists of those too. I used to fill my freezer every summer with corn, lima beans, broccoli, green beans, apples, cherries, peaches, strawberries from PYO farms nearby.
It's a great outing for kids. Don't worry about climbing trees for the fruit, btw. They provide pickers.
Here's the list for Virginia:
https://www.pickyourown.org/VA.htm
Sad thing is the smaller farms that offered this are most likely being taxed out of their land and being bought out.
I think it's more likely some people shifted to running a regular farm, at least one never planted anything to sell, others appeared to just not sell enough memberships or weren't convenient. Taxes aren't that bad here but you really have to know what you're doing to succeed in any business.
Perfect example is me. I was interested, was ready to sign up. The only one I could find was a 100 mile round trip for me to pick up.
Only $200 a year?! That is a heck of a price! Especially with getting both fruit and veggies.
For half shares around here with one CSA, it is $450 (8-10 veggies/wk), $740 (11-16 veggies/wk) for 16wks, and only includes veggies so still need to purchase fruits elsewhere. Another local veggie only CSA is $375 for 10wks, and then the only other one close to me that I have been able to find has a $700 option, but it runs spring (May) through fall (Oct) again, veggies only.
I was really surprised to find how VERY limited the amount of CSAs and even farmstands/produce stands there are here in South Dakota, especially compared to have many we had available in our area when we lived in the South Shore, MA region. They were ALL over, so many fabulous local farmer's markets to go to. I miss that kind of experience.
Thank you for this information! I've never heard of this, but there are a whole bunch of local farms in my area that are participating. It almost seems too good to be true, is there a catch with this at all?
No! The community keeps the farm afloat. They love their shareholders and take good care of them! Yours may also take volunteers, which reduces the cost. It’s magic, really. So glad you have a few near you!
Never heard of this either and one of the farms I found near me is one where I already occasionally visit the farm stand. The minimum quantities are larger than we need though so we'll probably just stick to going there and picking our own as needed.
Also look into eatwild.org. Both sites are GREAT for sourcing, or selling, local produce, meats, dairy, eggs, and homemade food products.