What is CSA?
Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a cooperative venture in which the farmer and the community members all have a financial stake in the success or failure of the growing season. CSA farmers offer “shares” which people can purchase before the growing season, typically in late winter or very early spring. Then, once the farm starts producing crops, members start getting their shares. Rich in variety, shares include produce your family might never have eaten before. Homestead Farms has full and small shares available now for the 2015 growing season.
Non-GMO and Naturally Nutritious
The initial cost of a CSA share might seem high, but if you divide it by a weekly amount over the course of the promised season (22 weeks), you realize it is about what you would pay for produce in a grocery store each week. But, the produce you get from your CSA is so much better than anything available in the grocery store. Organically grown from non-GMO seeds, the weekly bounty from Homestead Farms is harvested at the moment of perfect ripening. Naturally ripened food offers a much higher nutritional value than produce that has to be picked 2-4 weeks before ripeness, so that it can be shipped to stores. CSAs also offer people a chance to see and tour the farm, get to know the farmers, share recipe tips and try new foods.
The Roots of American Farming
Not all of the “improvements” that we see in modern farming are environmentally-sustainable. Many consumers want food grown the old-fashioned way. We don’t want pesticides, GMO crops, or fertilizer from sewage sludge. So, by joining a CSA that has returned to the “roots” of American farming, we use our wallets to make a difference.
How to Sign Up for a CSA Share
To sign up for a Homestead Farms CSA share, simply visit www.freshorganicvegetables.com and click the yellow “Get A Share” button. The farm is offering the same prices, payment plans and options as last season ($541.00 for a Full Share and $391.00 for a Small Share). The season is 22 weeks, beginning the week of May 18 and finishing up the week of October 12. More information is available from Alison and Luke Howard, Homestead Farms, 2250 Millington Road, Millington, Md., 21651; www.freshorganicvegetables.com; 410.490.7038.
Lemon Sesame Kale Recipe
Here’s an easy recipe for one of my favorite greens:
Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed (30ml)
2 tbsp tamari (30ml)
2 tbsp olive, flax or hempseed oil (30ml)
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted (30ml)
Directions: On low heat, gently toast the sesame seeds, stirring constantly, until they begin to brown slightly and pop in the pan. This should take 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Prepare the kale. I find removing the stems makes the kale more palatable, as the stems tend to be tough. Place the kale in a steamer and allow it to steam until it turns a bright green. Be careful not to overcook it! Remove the kale from the steamer and place on a serving dish. In a separate bowl, combine the toasted sesame seeds with the remaining ingredients and then drizzle the sesame seed mixture on top of the steamed kale. Enjoy!
Serves 4 as a side dish