This article was submitted for the May / June 2006 issue of the newsletter.
Get Your Veggies Fresh from Community
Supported Agriculture!
By
CSAs, as they are known, are organic or chemical-free
farms that sell shares of their yearly garden produce
for an up-front fee. This arrangement gives farmers an
assurance of a market, as well as up-front dollars for
planting. CSA farmers care for the land while growing a
wide variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Produce is
delivered, usually to a central pickup point, regularly
throughout spring, summer and fall. Below is a list,
with contact information, of some CSAs that supply food
to the Central Ohio area. Some of them offer half or
quarter shares at reduced prices.
1. Flying J Farm at 5329 Van Fossen Rd.
outside Johnstown is operated by Richard Jensen.
Certified organic produce is available from May 15-Sept.
30 (earlier or later if crop is available). The cost is
$350 for a couple or family of 4, plus 18 hours work in
the garden. For singles, the cost is $200 plus 10 hours.
Participants will also be able to buy organic, grass-fed
beef, maple syrup, whole wheat and spelt flour, all
raised at the farm. See
www.flyingjfarm.com. Contact
.
2. Just This Farm, a certified organic farm
located 13 miles west of downtown Columbus, is operated
by Kevin Eigel. Pick up either at the farm, or at
the North Market, 59 Spruce St. just west of High St.
in downtown Columbus. A basic share is $525. A share
can be reduced by $7 for every hour worked. Contact
.
3. Jumping Spider CSA is owned by Paul and
Sarah Etheridge, Ashley, OH, a 45-minute drive
north from OSU campus. They offer a sliding fee scale
and delivery to downtown Delaware and the Columbus
Beechwold area. Full memberships are $475, $525, or
$575. They also ask members to help for 7 hours in the
gardens. Contact them by .
4. Sippel Family Farm is operated by Ben and
Lisa Sippel, Mount Gilead, OH. They grow 40 kinds
of vegetables. Their season costs $545 and lasts approx.
30 weeks, longer than most in the area.Pick-ups are on
Tues. in Worthington 4:30-6, Thurs. in Delaware 4:30-6,
and Sat. in Clintonville 9-11. If none of these work,
contact them and they will add your name to a list for
future drop points. Contact them by .
5. Elizabeth Telling Farm, run by Sandy
Sterrett, is located outside of Barnsville, OH.
Pick up at Columbus North Market, 59 Spruce St. near
downtown Columbus. Cost is $300, starts May 27 and ends
Nov. 18. Contact her at 740-484-0243.
6. Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty
Rd. outside Delaware,no longer has a CSA, but
they do have Farm Products for Sale! These
include organic seasonal and greenhouse produce, pork,
lamb, beef, chicken, eggs, maple syrup, and honey.
Produce is pick-your-own. They also have Community
Garden Plots available! A 20' x 30' plot is
$50 through Oct. growing guidelines must be followed.
check the website to see what's in season
www.StratfordEcologicalCenter.org. For information
on availability and prices, Contact them by .
CSAs, as they are known, are organic or chemical-free
farms that sell shares of their yearly garden produce
for an up-front fee.
Produce is delivered, usually to a central pickup
point, regularly throughout spring, summer and fall.
