CSA week 21 Oct 26,28, 30
      The LAST WEEK of the 2010 CSA

The pics above show the crops we have recently planted in our hoophouse.  Many of these crops will be featured in our 2010/2011 Winter CSA! 

We are the limiting the Winter CSA enrollment to around 30 shares.  The main crops we'll have are roots and greens.  We will be distributing the shares approx once a month, at Valley View Farm in Topsfield, and at the Farm on Highland st in Hamilton.  Please specify your pick up location preference when you sign up. 

One of the distinguishing things about First Light Farm's Winter Share is that you will have Pick Your Own opportunities... Yes, we encourage you to come out to the farm this winter to harvest fresh veggies from our hoophouse.  Bring your family and friends, and maybe some hot cider!!!


Basically, we plan on providing approx $30 worth of veges in each of 5 or 6 distributions.  So the total for the winter share is $150.  You can save a spot by sending a $50  deposit (or full pymt) to

First Light Farm
94 Locust St
Danvers, MA 01923

Thanks for sharing in our 2010 harvest  :)
Mike

CSA generally implies that the community is supporting a local farm.  Selling locally has many advantages for a farmer, particulary the gaurenteed market, and a more balanced cash flow. Yes, CSA benefits the farmer., but this is only half the story...the story of another blog...
  
On the flip side, there are many reasons why consumers benefit from eating locally.  They get fresh healthy food and enjoy knowing they are helping keep farmers in business.  
 
Additionally, there are many Secondary Benefits (unquantifiable things) that people may enjoy through their participation in the local food movement.  I've had the priveledge over the last several seasons to witness the ways in which agriculture builds our community.  At each of our distribution sites, some shareholders have bonded through their common interest in local agriculture and fresh food.  People begin exchanging recipes; one thing leads to another, and soon they're sharing the dishes/meals they've created.  The potential for community development is endless.

For example, My dad decided to buy several shares and distribute them to neighbors and co-workers this season.  He basically bought the shares with the confidence that he would be able to find appreciative homes for them.  He began sharing the veggies with friends, and sold out fast.  Soon he was placing orders to me for other people who wanted to join the CSA.  This is local marketing at its best.  This is Community Supporting Agriculture.  As things developed, several folks got involved and assumed various roles is the veggie distribution at my dad's.  My dad is a Local Hero, and his garage is a happening spot! 

You can easily contribute by sharing some of your veggies with friends...   they make great gifts.  Also, give your share to a friend if you are away.     

If you'd like to get more involved with First Light Farm, and you know folks who'd appreciate our vegetables, consider doing something similar to what my dad has done.  Really, everyone benefits: you, me, and the members of your own little community.


HOST A PICKUP SITE for the 2011 season. Your site can be a business location, a community site such as a school, church or shelter, or simply your home.  The terms are flexible, we are happy to offer discounted shares to members who get involved!
 
By hosting a CSA pickup site, You could create a special connection among your friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers.  Our appreciation of good food provides a foundation for discovering other common interests.The CSA model also facilitates other types of economic exchanges between members; specifically, the bartering of our particular skills, services, and products with others. "Bread for backrub?" .... ETC

BARTER like all the money burnt up......  

BARTER is the most efficient, fair, and mutually beneficial means of exchange that has ever existed.   On the contrary, MONEY is an impersonal and sometimes unfair means of exchange.   Our short term local needs have very little influence on the Market Price of something.  Also, the further away we get from our local economy, the greater the exploitation embedded in the Market Price we are faced with.  Costs and Benefits are not shared equally between those involved in the exchange.  

Barter lets us set "price" based on our own personal sets of values, resources, and needs.  Barter is THE competitive advantage the local economy has over corporate control...  its like the guiding hand of a sustainable local economy.  (To be sure, money plays an important role in our economy, but sometimes we can do better with Barter).  Barter allows us to consider value on human terms.  

CSA - Community Supported Agriculture, is a special form of agriculture.  It has great potential to engage the community in the working landscape.  From there, local personal and business ties are inevitably reinforced.  United, we become less dependent on corporate imports and their hidden costs. 

CSA allows Agriculture to Support a healthy Community.  Tell the children the truth.


      So, if you've made it this far, i'm impressed!  Please post any thoughts or feedback by clicking on the "comment" thing at the top of this post.  or you can always just email me

Thanks for your support this season.  Enjoy the fall crops!

Mike
 

Here are a few recent farm pics. 

 First, Christain seeding oats at the top of DeerField, in prep for spring 2011.

 Next a pic of DeerField seen from the bottom side, across the pond.  (Christian is in that upper section under the trees somewhere...)  its interesting that the best view of treeline is seen in the pond.

 The last pic is a "behind the scences" shot at the Salem Farmer's Market:
     Farm enthusiast/volunteer Denise and her son Michael (and friends) are protecting the very valuable brocolli crop in that white cooler.  My best friend's mom Beth is handling the customers, and Eileen is busy preparing for her birthday.

 This is How We Roll.