On my regular trips to see family in Allegany, New York, one of the highlights is harvesting my sister-in -law’s weekly “share” from Canticle Garden, a community garden sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and guided by a dedicated core group of local residents. Each week shareholders go to the farm and pick (or pick up from a small staffed tent) whatever is in at the time–a pound of this, two heads of that, a quart of these and three bunches of those…
Taking home and using whatever is in season at the moment– eating beets or cabbage or romaine lettuce or rhubarb or potatoes until the harvest is done– is incredibly rewarding, and delicious. It reminds me of how I was taught to eat growing up–as much as possible from a large food garden out back.
Canticle Garden is the only model I have (read about it at www.canticlefarm.org), but there are thousands of similar projects established or “sprouting up” all over the U.S.
According to Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org), “Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products.
A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become “members” (or “shareholders,” or “subscribers”) of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.
A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000. ”
The Local Harvest site includes a map of CSA farms. The closest to Savannah they know of is in Brunswick. There may be farmers closer by who would be interested in or who already are working with a group of Savannahians to do this. In casual conversation I have found no fewer than eight families that say they would be willing to pay for a share and volunteer to help harvest in exchange for produce, eggs, etc. I would love to help organize a group and start a subscription plan with an interested land owner.
Does anyone know of any CSA programs in our area? Anyone who’d would like to participate in one?
The only one I am aware of locally is not so much a CSA as a local organic farm with a box business — <a href=”http://www.heritageorganicfarm.com/index.php?section=1″ title=”Heritage Organic Farm”. Unfortunately, because of their relationship with Brighter Day, they do not do their box business for downtown or Ardsley Park residents. If someone can get another local farmer interested, I would be interested, and I am sure others would too.
Thanks. I did wonder about Brighter Day suppliers and what kind of tie-in (or conflict) there might be there. I will keep poking around.
I recently wrote an article on fresh produce for The South so met many produce venders in the area: Polks on Liberty, Davis on Hwy 80 Wilmington Island, and the state farmers market. They can get you in touch with growers, especially the state farmers market, they have a new director and he’s very interested in these sorts of smart ideas.
The farmers market is getting away from being a destination and becoming more of a distribution hub.
Good ideas! Eat your veggies…
There is such a co-op farm in St. Mary’s as well. A friend of mine has a spot!
My name is Michael Maddox and I am a local organic farmer/gardener. Betsey just informed me of this website and I am impressed. I have been selling produce from my farm, to local restaurants and businesses for about 15 years. You may have seen some of my produce at Brighter Day. I am currently developing a portion of my 25 acre farm. I am selling 1.25 to 2 acre lots. It’s all heavily wooded with only 2 acres cleared for my orchards and gardens. I am doing business as the Southeast Sustainable Community Project. All community members will have access to the gardens and orchards and will be encouraged to take part in the gardening process and share the harvest. I am hoping to create a template for small sustainable developments in the area. If you are interested, you can call, 667-1118, or write me, mmaddox@planters.net for more information. I have a lot of produce available for harvesting if you are interested in buying direct from a local organic grower. Thanks. Michael Maddox
Hey Michael-
glad to see you here. check out my new website: http://naturallandscapes.biz/home
also learned about some community gardening initiatives going on in the city. there are plots available free of charge just west of the city. There are 72 garden plots at Scott Stell Park, which is maintained by the County and is under Al Lipsey’s jurisdiction. The plots are tilled w. a tractor. The county is eager to have citizens plant. There is no charge for use of plots. Ed Pinickey, former UGA extension Co. agent assists in the maintenance. CAT busline goes near the site. Transportation is a hurdle. It is parallel to Ogeechee canal. There is ample land. Price is right. Grow as much as you want. Numbered plots. Can go in with a family. Dave Linville, Co. Ag Agent, provides horticulture and soil testing advice. Soil sampling resources are available through UGA Extension.
LET’S PLANT FOOD!
Kelly Lockamy
Organically Yours gardening service
Great information. Please let me know when a local CSA forms. They are very popular in NY; it can also work in Sustainable SAVANNAH
I’m currently working to create urban community gardens such as those found in cities like Seattle, Boston, NYC, Atlanta… please find our Urban-Gardeners networking group on Face Book called Savannah Urban Garden Association. I have a temporary webpage up for it on my business website. Getting close- have one site identified, am working on funding now. Join our FB group for updates.
Kelly