FEATURE CSAs: Fresh, Local and Rooted in Community

The season of snow-shoveling and scraping up the last of canned goods is almost over. As spring slowly emerges, it is the perfect time to pick out a CSA (community-supported agriculture) subscription and prepare for a fresh, local harvest this spring, summer and fall. &emsp;CSAs are a vital part of the local food scene in southern New Hampshire and Vermont, linking residents with nearby farms and providing direct access to high-quality produce. The benefits extend to farmers, too. &emsp;"By selling CSA shares early in the year before we start producing, it helps us cover some of our costs," says Jack Rixey, owner of Dog Days Farm in Fitzwilliam. Those costs include seeds, fertilizer, compost, potting soil, and more. &emsp;Traditionally, farmers took out bank loans to repay after the season. But with the CSA model, "You're kind of getting a loan from the community," he says. &emsp;That's a commitment Rixey takes seriously. "We see it as an investment into our farm and want to give back on that investment." &emsp;Once the harvest begins, Rixey aims to deliver 10 percent interest in the form of produce to members each week. &emsp;Dog Days Farm offers market-style pickup and delivered baskets. Most members opt for pickup, selecting eight different items per week, plus an herb and pick-your-own flowers. &emsp;The market setup reduces labor for farmers and gives members more choices. But there's an even bigger perk. Rixey notes, "It's been nice to build stronger relationships with our membership and really get to know each other." &emsp;In the barn each week, kids help select, count and weigh vegetables, immersing them in local food culture and healthy eating choices. Of course, some might also snag a cookie from Orchard Hill Breadworks while visiting the farm store, which has staples like bread, eggs, yogurt, cheese, meat and ice cream. &emsp;This year, Dog Days has combined seasonal shares, starting pickups later in the summer but offering a longer share time and a wider variety of produce from the beginning. Find more at DogDaysFarm.com or meet Rixey and the team at the Cheshire County farmers' market at Cheshire Medical Center (year-round), the Jaffrey Farmers' Market (Fridays 3-6 p.m. beginning in June), or the Farmers' Market of Keene (Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. starting in early May). &emsp;Over the river and through the woods, folks from Brattleboro and the surrounding area are equally enamored with Wild Carrot Farm, which has offered a CSA since 2010. In their search for land, farmer Jesse Kayen and his wife Caitlin ended up where they now grow as part of a long-term lease and succession plan co-created with longtime farmers Janet and Jay Bailey. &emsp;"They were really generous in letting us tag along and spend a zillion hours sitting next to us while we did farm work together," Kayen says. &emsp;He and his wife embraced horse-powered farming, which had been used on the property for decades. They now use it to grow five acres of vegetables and about 40 for hay. They also raise mushrooms on logs pulled out of the woods with horses. &emsp;The farm is also part of a local land trust, and Kayen says, "We took that to heart." &emsp;Wild Carrot welcomes people to hike, walk dogs and enjoy the playground. CSA members even have access to a pick-your-own garden. &emsp;"People have come to treat this like they have a stake in it, and that's been incredibly cool to watch," Kayen says. He adds with a laugh, "You come for the vegetables, but you stay for the trampoline and to pet the horses." &emsp;Wild Carrot also serves up a market-style CSA program with over 240 varieties of vegetables, flowers, fruits and mushrooms throughout the season. It is a foodie favorite close to town and complete with a beautiful self-serve farmstand. Find more at WildCarrotFarm.net. &emsp;If you love a good story, then Hungry Bear Farm in Mason will not disappoint. Owner Gene Jonas, a former software professional, came to farming through a new entry course and a summer farming job. He found it so meaningful that he moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and ultimately discovered his farm via a wrong turn while searching for land. A "For Sale by Owner" sign led him to his perfect plot. &emsp;Now, his farm thrives with high tunnels, expanded acreage and a successful CSA. He's also growing his wholesale operation. &emsp;"We work hard at it and try to give people the best quality," he says. His focus on soil health — through cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation — ensures an exceptional harvest. &emsp;And he's known for a diverse range of crops. "I try to grow something a little different every year," he says, including shiitake mushrooms, ginger, turmeric and rare berries. &emsp;Jonas hopes that more and more locals will come to consider the "true cost of food." He warns, "Sixty to 80 percent of our calories in the typical American diet come from what's called ultra-processed foods … It's part of the reason we have a health crisis." He also highlights the environmental costs of industrial agriculture. "The real value of fresh, local produce is what I try to emphasize," he says. Learn more at HungryBearFarm.com. &emsp;These three farms are just a sample of the wonderful CSA programs across the region. And thanks to our dedicated local growers, you're sure to find one near you. Area CSAs Brattleboro New Leaf Farm Wild Carrot Farm Rebop Farm (meat CSA) Fitzwilliam Dog Days Farm Jaffrey Foggy Hill Farm Keene Stonewall Farm Archway Farm (meat CSA) Mason Hungry Bear Farm New Ipswich Sleepy Brook Farm Rindge Sun Moon Farm Sullivan Vera Flora Farm (flowers) Westmoreland Hillside Spring Farm Milkweed Farm New Dawn Farm Wilton Temple-Wilton Community Farm Winchester Manning Hill Farm (meat CSA) Area Farmers' Markets Don't forget to visit the market! Farmers' markets — community gatherings that can't be beat — boast treats, live music, and lots of local vibes. Find the one closest to you and make it a regular outing. Antrim's Community Market: Thursdays 4–6:30 p.m. Brattleboro Area Farmers' Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Cheshire Medical Center: Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (every other week in winter) Chesterfield Farmers' Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.–noon Farmers' Market of Keene: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Francestown Community Market: Fridays 4–6:30 p.m. Fitzwilliam Farmers' Market: First and third Saturdays, 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. Greenfield Farmers and Crafters Market: Sundays 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Hancock Farmers & Artisans Market: Thursdays 4–7:00 p.m. Hinsdale Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. New Ipswich Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.– noon or 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. Rindge Farmers and Crafters Market: Thursdays 3–6 p.m. TEAM Jaffrey Community Farmers' Market: Fridays 3– 6 p.m. Winchester Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.