Farms with CSAs

Before Flavors of the Valley got really crowded, I walked around checking out some of the farmers at the event. I'm guessing that there are about a dozen farms offering CSAs.

I was able to talk to some of them. One thing I learned is that if you want to sign up for a CSA with any of the farmers here, you'd better do it soon. Most CSAs are almost filled--many expect to fill their CSAs by the end of the day.

Here's a quick run-down on what I learned:

Laura and Kevin Channell from Your Farm said that their CSA is filled up. The Channells do a seasonal CSA--they sell "credits" that members can redeem at the farm or at the markets where they sell. They harvest winter vegetables that they sell at the Norwich Winter Market; members who have leftover credits at the end of the season can use them for vegetables at the market. Laura told me, "We have a number of workplaces that are CSA members, including Hypertherm and the Tuck School."

Killdeer Farm's CSA is also close to capacity. CSA members buy a "line of credit" that they can use at the Killdeer Farm stand in Norwich or use at the farm. And Killdeer Farm is on Twitter now, so members can learn about what's fresh. Follow them @KilldeerFarm to learn when the farm is open for strawberry picking and what's fresh at the farm stand. Killdeer Farm does events form members and opens its pick-your-own strawberry beds to members first. (That's Chadd Mills and Scott Woolsey from Killdeer in the photo above.)

Blue Ox Farm, Enfield, NH, is selling onions and parsnips today and still has CSA shares available. Steve Fulton said that he won't be at the Norwich Market this year; CSA members can pick up at the farm or in Lebanon. He also sells to the Coop.

Jinny Cleland from Four Springs Farm has been offering CSA shares since 1991. She's offered an egg option in the past; this year, she's adding fruit to her CSA shares. The farm is certified organic and she is willing to work out a variety of delivery and drop off options.

Sunrise Farm from Hartford has just a few shares left. The shares run for 22 weeks; members pick up at the farm.