February 12, 2011 by Debra.

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is holding a state-wide CSA-CSA Fair on Sunday, February 27th. Taking place in 13 different locations on the same day, the York County Farmers’ Network (YCFN) is the local sponsor for the one in Springvale:

CSA Fair - Meet Your Farmers, Place Orders for 2011

Community Supported Agriculture and Fisheries

Date: Sunday, February 27

Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

Location: Anderson Learning Center, 21 Bradeen St., Springvale, ME

Cost: Free

Attend a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair in your community and learn about CSAs, become acquainted with local seasonal foods, buy a share in a farm’s weekly harvest, and discover how you can grow a relationship with a Maine farm.

Sponsored by: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and the York County Farmers’ Network at UMaine Cooperative Extension, York County

For more information: 207-324-2814 or rebecca.gowdy@maine.edu

Posted in CSAs/CSFs | Print | No Comments »

January 31, 2011 by Debra.

If you’re new to Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs, it may seem early to be thinking about them. However, winter is the time when joining one means the most. This is when farmers are planning for the upcoming growing season, and buying a share provides much-needed capital to purchase necessary seed and equipment. In exchange for your investment, you become a member of the farm and receive a regular share of the food, usually on a weekly basis. At its most basic, your financial support helps the farm to provide locally grown, sustainable food. In return, members receive fresh food direct from the grower, and gain a deeper connection with our local farms and how our food is produced.

If you are considering joining a CSA, this video offers some great advice from both farmers and members on what to expect:

More recently, CSAs have expanded the range of choices being offered. Some of the options may include multiple pick-up days and locations, winter or 3-season shares, flexible spending plans, cooperative or work shares, or add-ons of meat, dairy and bread. As part of our CSA at the Market on February 26, we’ll have more on what this new generation of CSAs have to offer. To get you started, here’s an updated list of CSAs now open and accepting members for the 2011 season:

- Applecrest Farm

- Brookford Farm

- Eastman’s Local Catch

- Farmer Dave’s

- Finson Farm

- Garen’s Greens at Riverside Farm

- Groundwork Farm

- Heron Pond Farm

- Little River Flower Farm

- Meadow’s Mirth

- Old Fields Farm Food Cooperative

- Red Manse Farm

- Riverside Farmstand & Greenhouse

- Snell Family Farm

- Spiller Farm

- Stout Oak Farm

- Touching Earth Farm

- Wake Robin Farm

- Wild Miller Gardens

- Willow Pond Community Farm

Posted in CSAs/CSFs, author: Debra | Print | No Comments »

January 27, 2011 by Debra.

With CSA Day coming up, it’s exciting to see the wide range of choices being offered this season, making it even easier to eat locally! Heron Pond Farm sends news about their expanded CSA — through partnering with New Roots Farm and Life is Sweet Baking Company, CSA members now have the opportunity to add heritage meats and artisan breads to their weekly pick-up:

Heron Pond Farm, New Roots Farm, and Life is Sweet Baking Company have come together to create a C.S.A. experience long sought after in the Seacoast Region. Heron Pond Farm has been producing a high value, easily accessible, fruit and vegetable share for years. The overall food quality, and pick ups in Dover, Portsmouth, and South Hampton (Amesbury, Ma), have kept our members returning from year to year. Now in addition to enjoying one of a kind fruit and vegetables, members will have the opportunity to add Heritage Meats, or Artisan Breads to their share.

New Roots Farm provides some of the highest-quality, most humanely raised Heritage Breed meats in the Seacoast Region. The beef and lamb are rotationally grazed and grass-fed. Pork and poultry are fed a natural forage and grain supplements. All animals are grass fed to the full ability of that species, and are free of hormones, antibiotics and preservatives, with Animal Welfare Approved processing.

Martha Bogart, who owns and runs Life is Sweet bakery, is committed to using only the finest ingredients, many of which are both local and organic. She uses organic flour that isn’t treated with potassium bromate, a chemical that’s outlawed in Europe because it’s recognized as a potential carcinogen, and is dedicated to making healthy breads that taste really good. This season Heron Pond Farm will be growing wheat and oats which will be available to Life is Sweet!

Through the C.S.A., you have the option of choosing from several premium breads — Multigrain, which is chock-full of quinoa, amaranth, millet, and oats; Gluten-Free Multigrain for those with a gluten intolerance; Cinnamon Swirl, a light, soft loaf with a beautiful swirl of cholesterol-aiding cinnamon; White Bread; and Corn Bread, a perfect accompaniment to any winter soup. While you’re at it, add on a Baguette. With its soft, chewy interior and crunchy exterior, it works well with any meal, though most admit they eat it o the way home. For more information about Life is Sweet’s breads become a fan on Facebook.

How Pick Ups Work: All pick ups are farmers market style. For the Heron Pond Farm stand, you choose your pick-up day—but if you miss it you can still come later that week. Dover (Monday) and Portsmouth (Wednesday) pick-ups are from 3 to 7 pm. If you miss it, your share will be boxed and left for you to get later. If you must miss a week, either have a friend pick it up, or “double-up” the following week by contacting your pick-up coordinator. Unclaimed shares will be donated to families in need.

We offer three miniseasons for the Heritage Meat Share: June–July, August–October and Winter. At the first pickup for the month during each of these seasons, you will receive $100 of flash-frozen, vacuum-sealed, USDA inspected meats with a freezer life of over a year. Each share will be different, drawing from a range of products, including gourmet sausages, thick pork chops, stew meats, and hot dogs—plus recipes and cooking tips. The once-a-month pick-up will be on your normal CSA day and location.

Bread share add on: You can add one or two loaves of premium bread to your weekly share. The Life is Sweet bakery in South Hampton will use Heron Pond grains when available. The price is $120 ($6/week) for one loaf of premium bread and $240 ($12/week) for two loaves. You can also opt for a premium bread loaf plus baguette for $190 ($9.50/week) or baguette only for $70 ($3.50/week).

We hope many of you will join us in building our community through local agriculture!

For more about their CSA, please visit www.heronpondfarm.com. In addition, information on selecting and finding more CSAs on the Seacoast can be found here >

Posted in CSAs/CSFs | Print | No Comments »

January 20, 2011 by Debra.

Plans are underway for our 2011 CSA Day at the Market, February 26th — mark your calendars! This special event will take place at the Winter Farmers’ Market in Rollinsford, and is a great opportunity to meet the farmers and ask questions. With CSA’s expanding, there are many choices available now: product options, pick-up locations, and seasonal shares. Come and find the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or CSF (Community Supported Fishery) right for you. Visit Seacoast Eat Local for a list of participating farms and fishermen, and information on choosing a CSA.

Want to learn more before you commit? Here are some additional articles to help you decide:

- Local Harvest: Community Supported Agriculture

- Tips for Potential CSA Members

- What is Community Supported Agriculture?

- What is Community Supported Agriculture and How Does it Work?

Many farms have already begun accepting CSA members for the 2011 season. Some of them have a limited number of shares so it’s not too soon to consider joining one. Check Seacoast Eat Local on Facebook for updates; those in the Seacoast that now have shares available include:

- Farmer Dave’s

- Garens Greens at Riverside Farm

- Groundwork Farm

- Heron Pond Farm

- Meadow’s Mirth Farm

- Riverside Farm

- Stout Oak Farm

- Wake Robin Farm

- Willow Pond Farm

Addendum: Registration for Eastman’s Fish CSF for the 2011 Summer Season is now also open!

Additional listings for finding a CSA can be found at:

- Seacoast Harvest

- Local Harvest

- MOFGA’s Maine CSA Directory

If your farm is interested in participating in CSA Day at the Market, please email kate@seacoasteatlocal.org.

Posted in CSAs/CSFs, author: Debra, events | Print | 1 Comment »