21
2009
Now is the time to register for Summer CSAs
An article by 
Readers have been asking me about recommendations for Summer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscriptions. Wikipedia has a good entry on CSAs if you are not familiar.
The truth is that this year, we will not participate in one. We think we can grow everything we need in our backyard garden supplemented with trips to the farmers market every once in awhile.
For two years we participated in small CSA. We can’t remember the name at the moment, but I’ll update later if it comes to us. The quantity was fine and produce was OK although not everything was grown on the farm. The closest pickup was really too far away for us.
Last year we were part of a tiny CSA run by our neighbor’s sister. It was fantastic to directly support someone I know. She is not offering a CSA this year.
If we were signing up again this year, here are the CSAs I would consider:
week one: Athens Hills winter CSA
*Athens Hills CSA from Green Edge Gardens – we are getting the winter veggie CSA and it is bountiful and delicious. They write on their blog that they will be offering a summer CSA too.
*2silos meat CSA – 2silos will be offering a summer version of the meat CSA this year. They also have an veggie CSA but it is sold out. Alex recently reported on the winter meat CSA if you want more info.
*Elizabeth Telling Farm – We don’t have personal experience with this CSA, but others in the community like it. We are always impressed with their produce at the farmers markets.
*Wayward Seed – Again, our only experience with Wayward Seed is through the great vegs we saw at farmers markets. They also offer a fruit CSA which I am trying to figure out if we want to invest in.
*Sippel Farm – This CSA is sold our for the 2009 CSA season, but it is the most recommended farm by friends. They are already taking names for the 2010 season!
Are you participating in a CSA this year? If so, which one?
Did I miss any you would recommend?
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About the Author: Rachel Tayse
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Hi! I am Rachel Tayse Baillieul, a home-cooking, backyard-gardening, unschooling, earthy homemaker in Columbus Ohio. Hounds in the Kitchen is where I share my family's adventures. Thanks for joining us!
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I have joined Wayward Seed for the fruit CSA and Elizabeth Telling (for extra veggies for cannning). I’m excited to see what their offerings will be like. I had participated in 2005 with another CSA, I don’t remember their name. But I guess they have a waiting list now and they just sold their farm to an Amish family who I believe plans on continuing the business not sure though. I need to find out the name of that CSA. After I birthed my babes I birthed my memory too-right on out!
Thanks for sharing this information and I can’t wait to see what you’ll grow ! Take Care!
We got in on Sippel this year, we had our name in since last January. We’ll be splitting the share (Sippel doesn’t do half-shares like many of the others do). I’m going to look into the meat and fruit CSA’s, thanks for the links! We love supporting local businesses and eating local is great, but truthfully we like CSA’s because they are easy, one-stop and you get a bag full of goodies. It’s like Christmas every week. But healthier.
Hi! This is the first year Frijolito Farm is offering a CSA, but some of your readers are probably familiar with us from the Clintonville, Westerville, Jefferson Township, and Columbus Winter farmers markets. I raise chickens in our quarter-acre backyard in Mifflin Township (between Westerville Rd. and Sunbury Road, a bit south of Agler) and raise vegetables on leased land in and around Columbus. We’ll be offering vegetables, chicken, eggs (VERY limited supply), bread, and sweets.
You can read details and order online here: http://frijolitofarm.com/csa.php