Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Shop, cook, eat, drink, post, repeat.
 
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:57 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:38 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:21 am
Posts: 1403
Location: Six Shooter Junction, Texas
I'm working on developing a CSA for our Church and looking specifically for supporting web sites etc. that will help us to develop a long range / vision plan.

Right now the vision probably looks a little different than a "typical" CSA project in that we probably want to initially start with large single or dual crops and give away the produce to local food banks and other NP organizations.

We want to plant fruit trees and other perennial crops such berries, etc. As interest grows we will develop smaller plots for individuals as well as individual organizations to care for.

We have 5-6 acres available that we can dedicate to the effort, we want to stay away from raising animals or fowl.

Would love any / all input or advise.

_________________
To do is to be [Descartes] To be is to do [Voltaire] Do be do be do [Sinatra].


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:49 am 
Offline

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:18 pm
Posts: 1244
I don't have any websites to point you toward, but what a terrific idea. I do have a couple of random thoughts. First, grow items that have a longish shelf life like carrots, potatoes, beets and other root crops. Second, nitrogen-enriching cover crops on any fallow land to improve soil quality. Third, succession planting since you can grow year-round in Texas - many plants can even grow in the "shade" of other plants, i.e. lettuce underneath tomatoes.

I highly recommend the book Square Foot Gardening. Even though you are talking about a large area, it is a great way to maximize yield and minimize labor. The book has some plans for larger-scale projects.

Also, see if you can work with any restaurants/coffee shops for non-meat food waste to use as compost. I can only guess that you will be able to recruit volunteer labor (I would volunteer if I were closer!).

Best of luck.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:11 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:21 am
Posts: 1403
Location: Six Shooter Junction, Texas
Thanks Darcie,

I expect a lot of folks here would volunteer if they could, virtual help is welcome as well, I volunteered to serve on the board of a local pantry http://www.shepherdsheartpantry.org/ and the idea just seems to "fit". We supply food to about 500 - 600 families every week

We may look at putting a stand at the local farmers market, grow pumpkins in the fall as a fund raiser...lots, and lots of disjointed ideas that just need to come together before moving forward.

We have several dairies close by so composted manure is plentiful.

Since it's not really a "typical" CSA I thought asking for the advice of my friends was a good idea...no surprise that you responded quickly.

_________________
To do is to be [Descartes] To be is to do [Voltaire] Do be do be do [Sinatra].


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:18 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:01 am
Posts: 1287
Location: Denver
Frank
check outhttp://www.doortodoororganics.com...this is the CSA I use and they allow a lot of customization. For example, I get a "bitty box" (small) every other week and choose to have as much local product as possible. The site allows me to substitute up to 5 items for each delivery. I think thier site and their service is topnotch.
ilene

_________________
Ilene


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:18 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:50 pm
Posts: 2062
The CSA I belonged to didn't deliver. After I signed up, they issued me a card. The card color indicated the level I had signed on at. I met them at the Farmer's Market every week and picked out a certain dollar amount worth of food and they punched the card. (I'm not sure why they went with the punch system. Even after the card was filled, they let me get my quota of food anyway.) It was very nice for a pregnant lady who might be craving tomatoes and nectarines, but who might turn a little green at the thought of okra.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:10 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:18 pm
Posts: 1244
Da Bull Man wrote:
We have several dairies close by so composted manure is plentiful.

It may not be in the budget, but I would have that manure tested if possible. A lot of antibiotics and hormones are allegedly found in cow manure, especially in large dairies or feedlots. You will note that I said allegedly... ;) Of course you shouldn't look a gift manure in the .... um... mouth?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:25 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:18 pm
Posts: 562
Location: Winchester, MA
One thing to do that really helps is to attach recipes to the deliveries, esp. if you're going to have the same produce week after week. And this is true not only for "difficult" produce to use like kale or beets, but even for popular vegies that you get tired of (zucchini and yes, even corn). Obviously the recipes should be designed for your audience -- my guess is many recipients of complimentary produce don't want recipes with creme fraiche -- but given how few people really know how to cook vegies and fruits it would be a great way to expand the impact of the program. And it could be a great way to get some of your church members who won't or can't do the physical labor involved.

_________________
Lindsay


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:31 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:37 pm
Posts: 3404
Location: Telluride, CO
What a great idea Lindsay.

Amy


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:46 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:01 am
Posts: 1287
Location: Denver
Door to Door has started including recipes and also posts them on their website....it is a great idea!
ilene

_________________
Ilene


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:43 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:41 pm
Posts: 1884
Location: Near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
wonderful ideas for a fantastic idea. how about adding herbs to the mix, especially those that may fit the ethnic backgrounds of your members. Herbs could also be grown in portable containers or raised beds so those with more limited mobility can participate. And there's the whole cut and grow again ability of most herbs.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Template made by DEVPPL/ThatBigForum