I have taken the liberty this morning of reprinting an article about CSAs written by Jeanette Hurt on April 28, 2011 for the website SecondAct. It is the best description I've found defining what a CSA is and how it puts you in touch with your food and local farmers.

From the Neighborhood Farm to Your Kitchen Table

If you're trying to eat more locally harvested foods or introduce more and varied vegetables to your diet, you might want to join a CSA this spring.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and a CSA is a partnership between a local farmer or groups of farmers and consumers. You pay a "share" before the growing season starts and receive a weekly box of fresh vegetables throughout the summer and fall.

"When you first join a CSA, it can feel like Christmas, but instead of a stocking filled with candy, you're receiving a basket of beautiful vegetables each week," says Angela Rester, executive director of Wellspring Inc., an organic farm and education center in Newburg, Wis.

CSAs cropped up in the 1960s in Japan after a group of mothers became alarmed at the amount of imported foods their families consumed. The women began a cooperative with a local farmer, calling it "teikei," which translates to "putting the farmer's face on the food." The concept spread to the United States in the 70s and 80s, and within the last 10 years, CSAs have become more popular as the "locavore" movement has exploded.

It's now pretty easy to find a CSA locally, whether you live in a Chicago suburb or in the hill country of Texas. The Local Harvest website is a good place to start your search, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers some helpful pointers, too.

Here are some things to consider as you look for a produce package that's a good fit for your family.

1. Organic or not.

CSAs can be certified organic, grown organically without certification, biodynamic or conventional. A farm that's certified organic has to go through a verification process to show that the crops are not grown with pesticides or herbicides. Some farmers grow their crops organically but they aren't officially certified because of the expense involved. A farm that's biodynamic approaches agriculture holistically, and it must be certified to call itself biodynamic. If growing conditions are important to you, then ask before signing up. Even if you choose a farm that's simply conventional, you're not only helping your local economy; you're also getting fresher and more delicious produce than if you pick up an organic head of lettuce or bunch of grapes grown in South America.

2. Cost.

CSA shares typically range from $400 to $600 for the entire season, which breaks down to about $20 to $30 a week for 20 weeks. Sometimes this includes a transportation charge, but other times, that's an extra fee. Some CSAs offer worker shares -- free vegetables if you work one day a week on the farm -- or reduced costs if you work one or two shifts per growing season. A less costly option: Some CSAs also offer half shares -- a smaller box every week or a box every other week.

3. Size of box.

A typical box of vegetables, in the heart of the growing season, is bountiful, and might be more than your family needs in a week. That's where half shares can be helpful, too, or you might want to split a share with friends or neighbors.

4. What's in the box?

No matter what CSA you join, you'll probably get introduced to some unfamiliar vegetables. That's part of the fun. But if you don't like surprises, "ask the farmer 'What crops are you intending to grow?'" Rester advises. "If I want to have salad every week, then I want to know that my farmer is growing lettuce every week." Some farmers offer trading boxes -- where members can discard or trade unwanted vegetables.

5. Ask for recipes.

Many farms are happy to share. Some farms even offer cooking lessons or demonstrations, which will help you prepare that bumper crop of kohlrabi. "If you don't know what to do with a vegetable, don't be afraid to ask," Rester says. "Sometimes, those of us who are really into vegetables don't always realize that not everyone knows what we know." And don't be afraid to be adventurous in the kitchen -- some of your biggest "experiments" might turn into family favorites.

6. How the box gets to you.

Some farmers drop off boxes at a store or school, and a few offer home delivery. You'll want to find a CSA with a drop-off or pick-up location that's convenient for you.

7. The extras.

Some CSAs offer fruit, dairy, egg, meat, bread or even fish shares. If you'd like to have these extras, look for a CSA that brings most of your grocery items to you. Some also might sell you a bushel or two of tomatoes, in season, if you want to preserve them for the winter.

If you want to join a CSA, start looking now. The most popular CSAs fill up early, but many have openings into May, with deliveries starting at the end of May or the beginning of June. At the end of the season or sometimes part-way through the year, many CSAs invite members to visit the farm for a festival or a potluck dinner.

"That's a way [to] not only put a face to your farmer, but put a face to your farm," Rester says.

For a direct link to the complete article, including a delicious-sounding recipes for sugar snap peas with mint and lime, click here: From the Neighborhood Farm to Your Kitchen Table.

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Learning To Live Without On The Farm

I just heated up 2 biscuits from last night's dinner in the oven. I haven't done that in years. Not since I purchased the one and only microwave I've ever owned. I wrapped them in a half sheet of damp paper towel and then wrapped that package in foil and popped it in the oven for 10 minutes. I also reheated the other parts of last night's dinner leftovers for lunch in a frying pan on the stove earlier in the day with a splash of water, a lid, and an occasional stir. Imagine that. I survived without the microwave.

Since coming up to the farm to oversee construction so we can move in officially, I've begun to learn to live without. Little things mostly like a bed that doesn't deflate every 6 hours (the brand-new air mattress I'm sleeping on does just that). My hemorrhoid pillow that I have now forgotten twice to pack, since I spend so much time sitting in a chair in front of the computer for work and play. A television. A dishwasher.

I honestly haven't missed them. I was worried I'd miss the TV the most, but that's been the absolute furthest thing from my mind. I either take a book or local newspaper to bed with me to read to wind down before drifting off at night. I listen to NPR in the car going back and forth to town for bigger news or read papers on the web. I'm rather enjoying not having the TV, finding that I accomplish more in a day, and hoping that I can navigate the move without bringing the TVs with us. Mind you, I'm a little suspect about the hubby handling this idea well.

The dishwasher hasn't been a problem at all. I've emulated my mother-in-law by using a dishpan in 1 side of the sink filled with hot soapy water to soak dirty dishes in, so when I do my twice daily quick swish they're basically already clean. Granted, I'm not cooking as much as I usually do because it's just me here, so the verdict on this one might yet change once the kitchen gets going in full swing.

For the hemorrhoid pillow, I've been substituting a pillow from the bed and it's working fine, though I do have to fluff the pillow a couple times during the day to redistribute the pressure on this skinny old bum of mine.

And as far as the air mattress is concerned, since I don't often sleep for more than 6 hours in a stretch, it's not the biggest deal in the world. The worst that happens is when I wake up for my nightly bathroom trip, I turn the pump on for about a minute before I climb back into bed. It's not worth trying to totally deflate that thing, pack it up in the original box (which I think would probably take 8 hours to fold properly), and drive an hour and a half to the nearest Target to return and replace it.

It's all working out. And that 20-something-year-old microwave I mentioned? It decided to heat up it's last leftover last Thursday. I informed the hubby that I thought it was rather poignant that it would die in front of me seeing as I've had it longer than I've had him, and didn't think it was worth buying another one. His face paled a bit as he started jiggling wires in the back of it, mumbling something about fuses and fixing it. This too, I'm sure will pass. I'm thinking he may take a bit longer to adjust to farm life than me.

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My How The Meat Birds Have Grown

We've definitely got some roosters in this batch.

I do believe they've at least doubled in size 2 weeks.

Oh my gosh! I cannot believe what a difference 2 weeks makes in the size of these birds. The meat chickens have had an outrageous growth spurt. They've at least doubled in size in the 2 weeks I've been up at the new farm. While I haven't yet heard a crow out of any of the roosters, I was hearing new chicken sounds this morning that I've not heard before. I can't wait to raise a batch of meat birds up at the new farm where I can let them free range like the laying hens. We just don't have the room on the urban homestead.

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Farm Progress: The Domino Effect

At moments, it feels like no progress is being made, yet I know it is. It's just the domino effect in action. The subfloor is almost finished. Just the master bathroom to finish off. But that can't be finished until the flooring is down in the other bathroom so that we have a working toilet. And the flooring in the other bathroom can't be put down until I can begin to lay the floor, which I can't do until the final sanding is done on the drywall mud. I can't ship the rehabbed antique stove in till I finish the flooring in the kitchen and the French doors are up so that we can fit the stove through the door. The French doors can't go in until the back deck is done, and I can't have the gas company set up the propane tank until the stove is here so they can hook it up. I think you get my drift.

The backyard deck is started and could have been finished yesterday but for the rain and the fact that the handyguy's 2-week-new compressor blew up on on him, so he left mid-afternoon, frustrated and not accomplishing what he wanted to accomplish for the day to take care of his compressor problem.

Framing of the back deck with temporary posts.

Back deck just started.

Back deck with permanent posts.

Perimeter decking down.

Handyguy makes some nice cuts, doesn't he?

The 2 colors of decking material. Shutters will be painted in a matching "red."

We bought a riding lawnmower to mow the 2-foot high weeds and I spent a good 2 hours outside yesterday getting a good start on that and feeling like I was accomplishing something, until the rain started and I had to stop. And then, when it was dry enough to start again, the brand-new, just-delivered-yesterday-morning lawnmower decided to take a poop with a big pop and a spark. Oh well. It's just the way life goes.

Today I head home for Passover for 4 days and a much needed visit with my dogs, chickens, and husband. I'll stop at Lowe's on the way out of town and ask them to come and pick up the dead lawnmower and either fix it or replace it. I'll order a few things the handyguy needs to tide him over till I get back on Thursday, and then I'll start down I-75 to head home to start cooking for Passover.

Dominoes. I never really played them as a child. I know why now.

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Swallowtail Farm Spring Festival 2011

I had the distinct pleasure yesterday of attending the 2nd Annual Swallowtail Farm Spring Festival 2011. If you live within driving distance or happen to be in the area at the time of next year's festival, all I can say is do everything you can to attend. It was a blast!

It was such an action-packed day, I'm not sure where to start, so I guess describing my experience from start to finish will have to do. Technically, I got there late. It started at noon. I didn't arrive till 2 p.m., just in time to grab a scrumptious lunch from the Jones Eastside booth (I had a grilled beef and vegetable skewer, quinoa salad, and just-picked lettuce salad complete with tahini-ginger dressing) and scoot over to the Bee and Honey Workshop run by Noah Shitama (owner, Swallowtail Farm) and Charlie Lybrand (owner of a local bee farm). Noah and Charlie led an extremely interesting and educational workshop describing the basics of bee keeping, the reasons for having bees on the farm and where they fit into the "eco-cycle," so to speak. They described the 2 different kinds of man-made beehives and the pros and cons for each (Top-Bar hives are more natural, closer to what a bee would make in the wild, and less work; Langstroth hives are more for honey production and require more attention). If I remember correctly, Swallowtail Farm uses only Top-Bar hives because their goal is not to produce honey for sale, but to produce healthy bees that integrate naturally with their biodynamic farm. At the end of the workshop, attendees were treated to a taste of honey and honeycomb from one of the Swallowtail hives. Delicious!

The Bee and Honey Workshop demonstration hive.

 A hive I found wandering around the farm.

Immediately following the Bee and Honey Workshop, I ran over to the Information/First-Aid booth to work the 2-hour shift I had volunteered for. It gave me a chance to meet people, sit in the shade, people watch, and listen to some great music from the 15 or so local bands that played a delightful assortment of music, including folk, rock, reggae, etc. It reminded me of a mini-version of Woodstock. Just fabulous!

View from the Information/First-Aid booth; band stage, Festival attendees.

Swallowtail Farm Spring Festival 2011 attendees.

A Slip and Slide was provided for the kids (and adults), as well as face painting.

Swallowtail Farm barn and The Jones Eastside food booth to the left.

After my volunteering stint, I walked around the farm for about 2 hours, mingling with the crowd, taking pictures, and enjoying the music. I also fit in another trip to the The Jones Eastside food booth, this time getting a veggie skewer and more of that delicious quinoa salad. What can I say? The gorgeous weather and Festival activities made me hungry!


And then it was dinnertime. And what a dinner it was. For the Farm to Table Dinner, 3 chefs from local restaurants made a 4-course meal out of this world. The majority of the produce was supplied by Swallowtail and literally harvested from the garden as needed. Talk about fresh and local. Just as described, we ate by candlelight at dusk "out of the garden, in the garden." We started with an appetizer of a goat cheese-stuffed squash blossom, delicately battered and fried, sitting atop a bed of lightly sauteed julienne of zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots accompanied by a divine roasted beet vinaigrette. The next course was a delicious green salad with homemade croutons, roasted beets, and citrus (I believe grapefruit, but it was too dark to see with my 48-year-old eyes). Our entree was an outrageous buckwheat blini with garlic sauteed squashes, and other vegetables. I want this recipe badly! To be honest, I wouldn't mind having all the recipes. And then there was dessert. Suffice it to say, had I been at home and not in the company of strangers, I would have licked my plate. I'm not even sure what it was called, but it was a heavenly concoction of goat cheese cheesecake rounds with macerated strawberries and some sort of crunchy cookie crumble that was to die for. Freshly baked rolls were served throughout, along with unending wine and chilled water. All in all, I think it was the best meal I've ever had the opportunity to experience. We dinner attendees ended the evening with a standing ovation for the chefs, sous chefs, and servers. And without saying for Noah, his interns, and all the volunteers who helped pull this day off. It was truly remarkable.

Setting the table for the Farm to Table Dinner

The finished table.

A closeup view of the table.

A lovely bouquet of squash blossoms adorn the table.

Some of the freshly-harvested produce that made up dinner.

Our appetizer course, just waiting for the fried goat cheese squash blossom to be added.

Outrageously delicious buckwheat blinis.

Random Views of Swallowtail Farm

One of the many vegetable beds that encompass 3 acres.

Another vegetable bed.

A gorgeous turnip.

Someone found a great place to take a nap.

The solar panels that powered the whole extravaganza.

One heck of a rainwater collecting system.

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Farm Progress In Pictures

Before

Living room.

Living Room

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen

Hallway leading to office, guest bathroom, and guest bedroom.

My office.

Guest bathroom

Guest bedroom. Hoping to put bunk beds in here for interns.

Master bedroom.

Master bathroom.

Master bathroom.

In Progress

Adding new layer of subfloor after repair of old.

New subfloor and drywall.

Handyguys at work.

Charlie, head handyguy, and repairing outside.

Outside.

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First Night on the Farm

I started out late on Sunday. I meant to get an early start. Plans change. Things happen. And I didn't get out the door till 1:30 p.m. But I made good time. Until I got to Leesburg, that is, where I arrived at the scene of a bad accident blocking both lanes of the Turnpike. It clearly had just happened as the State Troopers arrived after I did. That was actually good news. I could tell the accident wasn't too far in front of me, just over the hill. Fifteen minutes later, drivers in cars backing up for miles turned their engines off and started getting out to stretch their legs and trying to find out what was going on. A nice young man, freshly tanned and relaxed, was trying to get home after Spring Break. An older gentleman was returning from dropping friends off at the Orlando Airport. He was trying to get 6 miles down the road to his wife waiting with dinner. He called her and told her to hold off starting the chicken. A young couple was on their way home to Atlanta from a vacation in the Keys. Someone had called the Turnpike Traffic Hotline and discovered that it was a U-Haul truck flipped over a mile in front of us. We saw a State Trooper helicopter overhead and commented that we were glad it wasn't an air ambulance. We heard an ambulance arrive from the other direction. Then 2 tow trucks arrived and we knew traffic would start moving soon. And 30 minutes into the wait, traffic started slowly creeping past the truck. Fifteen minutes later I was on my way again. I was glad I didn't have to be at the farm till Monday morning. I was glad I was still going to arrive with a little bit of daylight left so I could get the car unpacked. I was glad I had filled up with gas in Orlando and had taken a restroom break. I was glad I wasn't 15 miles back.

I pulled into the driveway at the farm about 7:30 p.m. The sun was starting to go down, but I thought if I moved quickly I could get the car unloaded. I hadn't noticed in my 2 previous trips up here that the outside light wasn't working and made a mental note to pick up light bulbs. It dawned on me that I forgot a flashlight. I hoped the rest of the lights were working in the house. They were. A tall lanky gentleman with a heavy Boston accent and a head thick with white hair sauntered over from the property immediately to the east of ours. He introduced himself as Peter and welcomed me to the neighborhood. Said I should come over any time if I had questions or needed something. How nice. That would never happen in Pembroke Pines. He carried in the box with the card table and chairs that I planned on using for a dining room table and desk. I got everything piled into either the kitchen or the master bedroom. I was hungry. I realized I didn't know what time town closes up and I better get there if I wanted to get anything to eat for dinner. I figured I could call Mickey from the restaurant to tell him I was here. I could blow up the air mattress when I got back.

As I drove the 10 miles back to town I realized I should pick a place close to I-75 so I wouldn't get lost in the dark. It was going to be hard enough to get back home not knowing the roads and having limited light sources. Rural areas don't have the street lights that cities do. I ended up at Bob Evans and had a chicken pot pie. Remind me not to do that again. I'd much rather have a quick PB&J at the house. I know it would taste better and I'm pretty sure it would be more nutritious. I called Mickey. I ran to the 24-hour Wal-Mart on the other side of I-75 to pick up a few things to eat and some cleaning supplies. I made it back home. It was 10 p.m. I was beat from the long day. I set up the table and chairs and put my computer on the table in the kitchen. I blew up the air mattress and crawled into bed. I needed sleep.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. Monday morning. It was still pitch black outside, but I felt like I always do in the country. Relaxed and at peace. I made a pot of coffee and started putting things away and cleaning the kitchen. It's amazing what a little baking soda and vinegar can do to freshen up a place. I got the sink and countertops clean. I wiped down the fronts of the kitchen cabinets and wiped out the insides of some of them so I could put the few dishes, pots and pans I brought with me away. I wiped down the stove and refrigerator. I needed to soak the removable parts of the inside of the refrigerator, but I couldn't find a stopper for the sink. I grabbed a notebook and started making a list of things to pick up at Wal-Mart. Sink stopper. Dish pan. Dish drainer. Light bulbs. I poured a second cup of coffee. The sun was starting to come up and I decided to sit on the front steps and watch it finish.

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