On Thursday I visited my friend Jenny in Phoenixville, PA, where she is doing an apprenticeship at Charlestown Farm. It was the first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm I've ever been to, and I instantly fell in love! Sure, it is easy to feel like this after spending just one day at a place like this. But novelty aside, I would love to be a part of a CSA at some point.
Charlestown Farm has about 150 members. Throughout the growing season, these members stop by the farm to pick up that week's pre-picked produce available, or pick their own berries, tomatoes, and other delectables depending on availability.
First we uncovered the peas that they had planted at the end of March, then made a trellis for each row to start grabbing on and growing skyward!
Jenny, watering in the greenhouse
Leslie showing off the Swiss Chard, pre-transplantation!
Beautiful Swiss Chard
I visited on a perfect day - bright and sunny but not too hot!
Margo, reeling in the measuring tape - helpful for plant spacing and staggering.
After transplanting three 200' rows of Swiss Chard, we finished out the day weeding thistles while Melissa and Leslie plowed for future planting. Jenny and I discovered an entire underground root system those pests were creating. The farm, while being uncertified, uses organic farming techniques (like the hard work of me and Jenny)!
Reasons why I love CSAs (and my own garden):
-nearly eliminates fuel costs for transportation
-fresher produce
-food with more nutrients
-can experience the realities of life first hand (for example - crops take time to grow and they sometimes fail...)
