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With spring coming ahead of schedule this year, we're inspired to prepare for the bounty of the harvest to come. February 19-26 is National CSA Week, a time to celebrate farmers for preparation work they do in the late winter ? ordering seeds, updating facilities, caring for livestock ? so that we can enjoy fresh and local products all year round! #CSAweek
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Photo courtesy of Brown Family Farm
Connect to Your Local Farm with a CSA
Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) is a farm membership system in which you pay a fixed price up-front, typically in winter or early spring, and in return, you receive installments of fresh local food to enjoy throughout the harvest season. It's the original subscription model and is a great way to support local farmers!
When you sign up for a CSA share, you have access to high-quality, great-tasting local foods, and you'll know exactly where your food is coming from. CSA shares most commonly offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, but products like meat, cheese, and even flowers can be purchased directly from farms in the same way. Some farms also offer subscription add-ons like eggs or honey.
Each CSA program is unique in what it offers, so it?s a good idea to review the options in the Minnesota Grown online directory to find what is right for you. The directory includes over 100 CSA farms with over 400 pick-up locations around the state. Splitting a share with a friend, coworker, or another family can also be a great way to try a CSA. Most importantly, choose a CSA with a convenient pick-up location, and be ready to enjoy what is in season!
Not sure how to decide? We've put together a list of questions to consider as you browse farm websites or talk to farmers.
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Photo at left courtesy of Dancing the Land Farm
Four Reasons to Add More
Minnesota Fiber to Your Wardrobe
An excerpt from Living Local magazine. Minnesota is home to the 12th largest population of sheep in the country, with 80% of sheep farms selling wool from their flocks. Farmers across the state also produce other luxurious animal fibers like mohair, angora, alpaca, llama, and even yak.
Whether you?re a crafting enthusiast looking to make your next scarf extra special or just trying to stay warm through Minnesota winters, sustainability, comfort, durability, and supporting Minnesota farmers are all reasons to add more Minnesota fiber to your wardrobe. Read more.
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Photo taken of North Circle Seeds
Embrace Local Seed Sourcing
Are you planning your own garden and itching to get your fingers in the dirt? Order your seeds from a local source this year. By selecting seeds from nearby sources, gardeners support regional agriculture, preserve genetic diversity, and promote sustainable practices. Plus, these seeds are acclimated to our climate, making them better able to withstand pests, diseases, and the challenges of growing in Minnesota.?
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Photo courtesy of Rapha Farms
Farm Feature: Rapha Farms
Karen Tautges of Rapha Farms specializes in goat milk personal care products that will keep your skin moisturized through the last of dry season.
She has a passion for helping people with skin issues and has put hours into creating her soap recipe. ?It was a learning process with a few ruined batches,? she says, but she found the perfect recipe. "Each bar has 4 ounces of goat milk, the key ingredient that makes these bars so incredible."
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Photo courtesy of Maple Grove Farmers' Market, Schyma's Pickles.
Photo by Edna Dudinsky.
Love Your Winter Market
Think that visiting a farmers' market is only for the heat of summer? Not so! There are 40 winter markets listed in the Minnesota Grown directory. While visiting a winter farmers' market typically involves a freezing dash from the car, this year's mild temps make it easier than ever to enjoy the year-round camaraderie and local products on offer at your local market.
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