News

Considering investing in a CSA farm share this growing season?  Attend this year’s Monadnock Region CSA Fair at the Monadnock Food Co-op Cafe from 2-5 pm on Sunday, March 11.  Learn about the range of options from different farms in the Monadnock Region. Chat with the farmers who run local CSAs about what options they have available for this season and find the farm share that fits your needs and preferences!

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 groundwater 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. Also, 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?!
Participating Farms:

Dirty Girl CSA is a Certified Naturally Grown farm that grows a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Offering summer and fall shares for a total of 22 weeks with pick up location at Four Winds Farm in Peterborough. Visit our website for more details www.dirtygirlcsa.com or contact farmer Kirsten at dirtygirlcsa@gmail.com or 603-326-8729.

Farmer John’s Plot is a non-profit farm that grows over 160 varieties of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Choose up to 32-weeks of fresh, locally grown produce. We offer flexible veggie choices and sizes with flexible pickup times. Pickup in Dublin, Peterborough, or home delivery: www.farmerjohnsplot.org; 603-933-2049.

Hillside Springs Farm, a hand and horse-powered farm in Westmoreland, offers CSA members over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and pick your own flowers. All crops are grown using organic and biodynamic methods. Full and half shares are available for a 24 week season with on farm and Keene pick-up sites. Contact farmers Frank and Kim at 603-399-7288 or hillsidespringsfarm@gmail.com, or see www.hillsidespringsfarm for more details.

New Dawn Farm in Westmoreland produces high-quality vegetables, plus fruit, herbs, and flowers for our CSA. We offer our summer, fall, or full season shares in three sizes as well as a flex credit option to customize your share. Pick up at the farm, in Keene, or ask us about delivery options. We are a low till farm that teaches small production farming and also grows for Joan’s Pantry in Chesterfield, NH. For more details contact 518.929.6619, info@newdawnfarmnh.com, or visit newdawnfarmnh.com.

Picadilly Farm offers our certified organic produce, herbs and flowers, with several CSA share types, from June through December. Pick up options at the farm in Winchester, as well as in Keene and Brattleboro: 603-239-8718; www.picadillyfarm.com.

Stonewall Farm is a nonprofit working farm. We have three acres of certified organic fruits and vegetables produced using regenerative practices. We offer a 20 week CSA share with a great variety of seasonal favorites. We also offer a flexible CSA that may be purchased on a week by week basis: 603-357-7278; stonewallfarm.org.

Sun Moon Farm in Rindge provides vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers to our CSA members. We grow over 75 varieties of rare dahlia varieties and offer artisan breads that are baked here on the farm. Our small family farm is part of “The South of Monadnock Community” and was formerly the home of “The Meeting School.” Building community is central to what we do: www.sunmoonfarm.org.

Tracie’s Community Farm in Fitzwilliam offers Spring, Summer, and Fall Shares including a wide variety of 100% spray and pesticide-free vegetables with a home delivery option, as well as options to add herbs, flowers, fruit, bread, coffee, eggs, and more: (443)-994-4629; farmers@traciesfarm.com; www.traciesfarm.com.

Village Roots is located on the Orchard Hill Community in East Alstead. We offer a variety of pastured meat shares to our members, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. We also sell turkey, rabbit, and duck. Our beef and lamb are 100% grass fed. Our chicken and poultry are raised on pasture and fed only organic grain. We use only regenerative practices to maximize soil building and host regular permaculture design workshops. We also offer spring greens shares and pick your own berries. Contact Marty at (603) 477-5533 or go to villageroots.org.

This event is organized and co-hosted by Frank & Kim at Hillside Spring Farm. If you want your CSA to have a table, please contact them: hillsidespringsfarm@gmail.com; 603-399-7288