For any of you that have been interested in getting involved with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), you may have had a similar experience as I have had — I got put on a waiting list.  Now this is not a complaint, but a testament to the rising popularity of local food and fresh produce.  These groups fill up fast, so I'm proud to bring to your attention a brand new CSA that was just announced yesterday!

Russell Bell is a local farmer that you may have seen at any of the farmer's markets around town: 17th Street Market, Lakeside Market, Byrd House Market, or South of the James.  I know that I see his name in the paper whenever the local farmer's markets are covered so you may have seen him there, as well. (The farmer's markets are still very popular and becoming more so all the time, by the way — echoes of a post from 2007.)

For the description of what a CSA is, and how his will operate, I will turn the floor over to him:

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Howdy all!

I am offering shares in a micro-CSA this year. A few of you helped last
year with my CSA experiments. Thank you to all who did. There will be a
total of 20 full shares, 40 half shares, or some balance of the two
available this year. You will be able to pick up your shares from the
Lakeside Market (Wed.), Byrd House Market (Tues.), or maybe South of
the James (Sat). If none of these locations are convenient for the
majority of shareholders, another location may become available.

Community Supported Agriculture works a lot like buying bonds in a
company. You buy in at the beginning of the season and receive
dividends, or produce shares, throughout the season. The first shares
this year will be available starting in mid-April and continue weekly
through mid-November. Each week your shares will consist of the CURRENT
IN SEASON PRODUCE for market, as well as some limited or specialty
items that were not produced / picked in large enough quantity for
market sales. "In season" means there will not be tomatoes in April,
arugula in July, or blackberries in November. Some produce has a very
long season. You may be tired of a vegetable before the season ends. I
will be offering tips on preservation, and if there is enough interest
a canning party is always a ball.

Examples of this year's produce:

Early Spring—-
arugula mix
spinach mix
broccoli rabe
radishes
herbs

Early Summer—
squash (3 kinds of zucchini)
tomatoes (possibly by June 1)
peppers
eggplant
corn possibly (CSA only)
herbs

Mid Summer—
cucumbers
melons
squash (3 kinds of zucchini)
tomatoes
peppers
eggplant
herbs
beans

Late Summer—
tomatoes
peppers
eggplant
okra
herbs
beans

Fall—
winter squash
tomatoes
peppers
eggplant
okra
herbs
collards
kale
beans

THE TOMATO QUESTION
We largely will be having a black and white tomato garden this year with hints of yellow, pink, and red.

Great White is a low-acid white beefsteak that is soft, delicate, meaty, and juicy.

Black Triffle is an earthy black ox heart with amazing flavor and succulent thick hunks of meat. Zapotec pleated is a pretty pink slicer. Great stuffed with beans and rice, orzo and squash.  Black Plum is my all time favorite sauce tomato. Perfect in my Eggplant Parm recipe.  Yellow pear is a low-acid crowd pleaser. Perfect in a salad, on a kabob, or by the handful as you drive.  Sub-arctic plenty is an early producer that we are hoping to have for early June pleasure.

COSTS AND DEADLINES
Whole shares = 500.00
Half shares = 250.00
50% due February 20th
50% due March 20th
No refunds after April 1st

The majority of produce will be grown in Louisa county.
Feel free to tell friends.
Please post any questions.
This is micro in comparison to the more standard 200+ share CSA

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In order to contact Russell directly (and to sign up!), email him at [email protected].  I've already signed up so that I don't miss out on this opportunity!