Beyond the box

As more people support local farms, CSA's are starting to feel more like a family cookout than a subscription service. While picking up a CSA (community-supported agriculture) box, you may hear the sounds of conversation, recipe sharing and laughter, serving as a reminder that food is more than something to eat, but something to share. A CSA is a seasonal subscription service offering members a share of a farm's harvest. The mutually beneficial system provides farmers with financial support while providing high-quality produce to consumers. Talking to local 419 farmers, one thing clear: CSA's are not just about vegetables, they're about relationships. Shared Legacy Farms in Elmore At Shared Legacy Farms in Elmore, community is at the backbone of their operation. USDA certified organic since 2017, the farm feeds around 400 members each season. "People come for the vegetables, but they stay for the community," farmer Corinna Bench said. "Food has been the catalyst for so much, something so much bigger than just changing how people eat. It changes their connections, their friendships, and their relationships with their farmer." Their CSA boxes can also include additional shares of flowers, chicken bundles, cheese, eggs and coffee from Maddie and Bella's. Members of Shared Legacy Farms connect through a private Facebook group, often sharing recipes, tips in the kitchen and encouragement on trying new foods. The result? A year round support system, encouraging one another to eat local and eat healthy. Hesitant to commit to a subscription? Shared Legacy offers a four-week trial membership as well as an online store option. Little Riley Creek in Bluffton Little Riley Creek in Bluffton offers a more personal approach when it comes to CSA subscriptions. The certified 40-acre organic farm, with 3.5 acres for vegetable production, lets members build their own box by choosing from an array of produce, sometimes including heritage wheat. Want an even more hands on approach? The farm even encourages members to go out to the field and pick some produce themselves. "I always liked the thought of keeping it very local, so people could know the farm," farmer Amanda Wischmeyer said. "It's important to know your farmer." If you're planning a visit, expect more than just produce. From grazing donkeys to clucking chickens to curious goats, the farm critters here are sure to catch your attention. Garden Next Door in Swanton For some CSA's, the experience is just as life-changing for the farmer too. At Garden Next Door in Swanton, owner Andrew Mattimoe traded in his 9 to 5 desk job for three acres of vegetables, pursuing his lifelong dream of living off the land. "I was working a desk job and I was listening to a gardening podcast a lot on my commute," Mattimoe said. "I got tired of listening to them without doing anything about it, so I quit my job." This small but flourishing CSA offers shares depending on the latest harvest, even creating themed baskets for members including, salsa baskets, salad baskets and more. "I try to do themes anytime I can, but most often, I plant with the hope of hitting a couple themed baskets," Mattimoe said. "Other than that, I'm picking what's actually ready for harvest. I try to have five to seven items in every basket, with a variety of colors and textures." Muddy River Farms in Waterville Similar to Little Riley Creek, Muddy River Farms in Waterville offers a "Free Choice" CSA model. Members prepay for the season and choose exactly what they want in their boxes each week. "It's just like a church," farmer Devon Keysor said. "It's a place for you to gather with like minded individuals where you all have something in common - which is food. You gain community and camaraderie in that experience, that's the most important thing in a CSA." While not certified organic, the farm practices organic practices. While these farms may differ in produce and vary in subscription models, their mission is all the same: connecting people to local food and the farmers that grow it. More than a box of veggies, CSA's are community, sustainability and appreciation for local agriculture.