Currently, people across the U.S. hesitate to purchase many fresh fruits and vegetables at their local grocery stores because of outbreaks of Cyclospora, E. coli, and Salmonella. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) provides a way to purchase locally produced foods instead of foods from unfamiliar producers across the U.S. and the world. A CSA allows participants to know exactly where their food comes from and how it was produced. There are many different models across the U.S., and I have had the privilege of participating in two of them: the Michigan State University (MSU) program through the Student Organic Farm and Bluegold Blueberry Farm in Douglas, Michigan.
Previously, I enjoyed a CSA share through the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm. (See entry #26 within this blog www.mariposapaulette.com). The MSU students sell shares at a set price per quarter. The program gave me wonderful fresh food at reasonable prices. It’s great for a family. Moreover, each week I received a wide variety of vegetables, some of which led me to try new recipes. I also loved the fact that the program was year-round. Yet, it had some minor drawbacks for me as a single person at the time. There were no discounts for weeks when I could not pick up the food, and quantities and types of produce offered were fixed. I gave up my share after a few years because it gave me too much food each week even when I shared it with a neighbor.
Currently, I participate in a CSA in Douglas, Michigan that operates on a different model: Bluegold Blueberry Farm CSA. I was married two years ago, and Bluegold has done well for the two of us. John Alan Smith owns and operates the farm with his family. (Photo of John Smith and LuAnn Smith, his sister.) We invest in the CSA before the farm market season begins, and we receive a credit on our account to be used over the farm season. Each investment brings a 10% bonus. For example, with a $200 investment, John puts $220 in our account. If we run out, we invest more during the season.
Each weekend, I get an email from Devin Matthes, John’s daughter and the farm manager, with a list of the week’s offerings. I place an order online and pick up our fruits and vegetables at the farm market two blocks from our home on Tuesday, farm market day. This season we are enjoying the following and more: tomatoes, herbs (dill, basil, cilantro, chives, oregano and more), strawberries, cucumbers, potatoes, zucchini, kale, green beans, and, of course, lots of blueberries.
I love it for many reasons. Most importantly, we enjoy fresh, healthy organic, regenerative-certified fruits and vegetables. (Regenerative certification goes far beyond the requirements for organic certification.) Second, if a product such as strawberries is in short supply, CSA participants get priority. Third, the CSA is flexible. We order exactly what we want and can skip a week if we are out of town. A fourth important bonus that is also true for the MSU Student Organic Farm CSA is that each we interact in person with kind, friendly people who are dedicated to caring for the earth. Our interactions with John and his family are part of what makes me delighted to be part of the Douglas community.
The CSA allows me to practice my core values in environmental protection and the grassroots tools of sustainable development When I asked Devin about her family's decision to transition to organic, regenerative farming, she explained: “Once we became aware of the connection between soil biology, plant biology, and human biology all linked simultaneously to overall health, there was no turning back to commercial farming methods."
Regenerative methods are being adopted by thousands of farmers worldwide. Therefore, I will do another post soon about regenerative-certified produce and Bluegold's participation in that program.
Meanwhile, I am grateful for access to healthy, fresh, and delicious food. I have the privilege of a wonderful alternative to the grocery store, and I thank John and his family for their daily work making that possible while protecting our precious earth.
#bluegoldregenerativeorganics
#DevinMatthes
#douglasfarmmarket
#johnalansmith
#regenerative
#organic
 |   |
RSS Feed
