Category: Farms

CSA Farm Fair at Monadnock Food Co-op

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By Monadnock Food Co-op

Considering investing in a CSA farm share this growing season?

Stop by the Monadnock Food Co-op’s Cafe on Sunday, March 26 from 2-4pm for the 2017 Monadnock Region CSA Fair to learn about the range of options from different farms in the Monadnock Region. Chat with the farmers from Hillside Springs Farm, Picadilly Farm, Mad Radish Farm, Sun Moon Farm, Farmer John’s Plot, New Dawn Farm and Tracie’s Community Farm about what options they have available for this season and find the farm share that fits your needs and preferences.

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Although each local CSA farm is unique and individually run, each offers “shares” of locally grown food to community members. There are variations in the price, share size, distribution, choices, pick-up sites, payment plans and variety of food offered. Some CSA farms concentrate on vegetable production, while others offer eggs, meat, flowers, berries, maple syrup, honey, raw milk, cheese, yogurt, or other local products.

The commitment from community members to join a CSA implies a willingness to share with the farmer in both the rewards and risks of small-scale farming. Weather, pest damage, and crop failures affect both the farmer and the shareholder; allowing the community to share in the costs of raising food in sustainable ways. The shareholders know when, where, and how their food is grown, and are assured of high-quality and nutritious produce.

A CSA membership supports local farms and the local economy, eliminating the environmental impacts and costs associated with marketing, packaging, and shipping food long distances. Freshly picked, locally grown fruits and vegetables are an excellent value because they have superior flavor and more vitamins and minerals than many large-scale commercially raised crops. Sustainable farm practices also avoid the hidden costs of pesticide residues, soil erosion, and polluted surface ground water which are often associated with large scale conventional agriculture.

Local farmland in CSA use often becomes healthier through crop rotation, composting, cover crops, natural fertilizers, and periodic resting. In addition, small farms often grow heirloom or little-known varieties of fruits and vegetables, which helps maintain the diversity and vitality of the world’s seed bank.

CSA farms benefit our communities in so many ways, why not sign up for one today?!

Archway Farm Launches “Farm to Table on Wheels” Crowdfunding Campaign

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Archway Farm in Keene, NH is excited to announce that they have been selected by The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock as one of two crowdfunding campaigns focused on sustainable agriculture.

Archway Farm, a small family farm on Arch Street, is dedicated to raising quality local pork.

“With the support of our community, we would like to purchase a mobile sausage cart that would allow us to showcase the great tastes of locally grown food directly to our customers,” said Mark Florenz, owner of Archway Farm. “Our pork is available at the Monadnock Food Coop in Keene and the North End Butchers in Brattleboro, but we feel a direct connection to customers is critical to our farms sustainability.”

TLC Monadnock will officially launch online on March 15, 2017 with two campaigns focused on sustainable agriculture: Archway Farm’s “Farm to Table on Wheels” project and Stonewall Farm’s “Barn Raising” project. Supporting sustainable agriculture is a prominent part of Keene’s Comprehensive Master Plan.

“TLC Monadnock is about us — our region, our community — and the goals we’ve created around economic development and prosperity,” said Jen Risley, Monadnock Buy Local Executive Director. “We invite everyone to become a campaign supporter — it doesn’t matter where you live.”

Stonewall Farm in Keene will host The Local Crowd Monadnock’s Launch Party on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event includes food samples, children’s activity stations and hayrides. Also, this event is free that is open to the public.

Follow Archway Farm on Facebook for updates or contact Mark Florenz at mark.florenz@gmail.com or 603-352-3198.

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CSA Day is February 24, 2017

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csa-dayCSA Day Offers Second Chance for New Year’s Resolutions

By Maegen Laney Noble and Kristen Laney O’Toole

Are your New Year’s resolutions already in the rear-view mirror? If so, you’re not alone, but you still have time to make good on those resolutions. February 24th marks the third annual CSA Day when you can join other like-minded people around the country who are committed to:

  • eating healthful foods and preparing them for their families;
  • supporting their local farmer;
  • being kind to our planet;
  • learning something new; and being adventurous in the kitchen.

CSAs in the Monadnock Region

CSA (community-supported agriculture) is a subscription to a season’s worth of sustainable, locally grown produce that is distributed to members throughout the harvesting season. It is a form of investment that allows small farmers to continue growing on a scale that may not be sustainable without the CSA model. CSA members enjoy the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables for their family, while supporting their local farmer.

According to Small Farm Central’s CSA Farming Annual Report, the most popular time to join a CSA each year is at the end of February. To promote this important time for farmers, CSA Day was coined, and each year it falls on the last Friday in February. It’s an entire day dedicated to the celebration of community-supported agriculture, and CSA farmers enjoy an influx of sign-ups from members, which gives them revenue when they need it most for the growing season.

Getting food from a CSA is different from going to a farmers market or using a grocery delivery service. As a CSA member, you make a seasonal commitment to a small farmer in your area, and the produce is either delivered to your door or you pick it up at a local distribution center. CSA members take pleasure in knowing where and how their food is grown, and typically have an open line of communication with their farmer.

“Community-supported agriculture is all about relationships and feeding families,” said Simon Huntley, CEO of Small Farm Central, a company that provides marketing support for small farms and started CSA Day. “CSA farmers typically teach members what’s in season throughout the year, and help them appreciate and cook food to which they may not otherwise be exposed.”

How to Get Involved with CSA Day

If you believe in the value of the work your local farmer does and would like to help that farm be successful, sign up for a CSA on February 24, and use the hashtag #CSAday to join the online conversation. To find a CSA in your area, search this CSA directory. You can also sign up here to stay up to date on news and updates about CSA Day.

About Small Farm Central and CSA Day

In 2006, Simon Huntley combined his passion for helping small farmers and his experience in technology to found Small Farm Central. The organization serves the technology needs of small business farmers,  including websites, ecommerce, CSA member management and marketing tools. Small Farm Central coined CSA Day in February 2015 to celebrate local agriculture among CSA members and farmers. Small Farm Central has worked with more than 1,000 farms across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.smallfarmcentral.com and www.csaday.info.

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