News

2018 CSAs and More!

06-Feb-2018

Thinking ahead to the coming growing season is one of the things that keeps me going through the dreary months of January and February. Farmer’s aren’t just thinking and dreaming though - they’re working hard to make our fruit, veg, meat and flower dreams come true. They are assessing the previous season to see what worked and what didn’t, taking inventory of their supplies and restocking, planning their rotations, selecting varieties and ordering seeds. This planning comes with a large financial investment - when income is at its lowest. This pattern encouraged the development of the Community Supported Agriculture model where farm supporters sign-up and pay for a share of the farm’s harvest, which they then receive portioned out through the season.

Traditional CSAs still exist and flourish, but in response to changing trends and demands, some farms have adopted more flexible structures. Countryside Initiative farms and farmers’ market vendors have a fantastic mix of both from which to choose. CSAs aren't for everyone though, so we've included a list of farm stands and shops as well.

CSAs ~ Traditional and Not

Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey

What: Mixed Vegetables, with add-on shares for Eggs and/or Honey (Egg and Honey shares are only available to vegetable CSA members)

When: May 23rd through September 22nd

Where: 8927 River Styx Rd., Wadsworth

When: Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 6:30pm, Thursdays from 2:30pm - 4:30pm or Saturdays from 8:00am - 10am.

How Much: $550 vegetables only, $63 egg share add-on, $36 honey share add-on

For more information, visit Baker’s Fresh Produce and Honey.

Brunty Farms

What: Pasture raised chicken, eggs and a Thanksgiving Turkey

When: June through September (plus Thanksgiving); choose monthly or bi-weekly pick-ups

Where: 2470 Martin Rd., Akron

When: Wednesdays, 5pm to 7pm (weeks selected pre-season)

For more information or to sign-up, visit Brunty Farms.

Greenfield Berry Farm

What: Mixed vegetables, and pick-your-own berry vouchers.

When: Spring Share (4 weeks in May); Summer Standard Share (18 weeks, starting in June); Summer Half Share (9 weeks, every other week, starting in June); Fall Share (4 weeks in October)

Where: 2485 Major Rd., Peninsula

When: Spring and Fall Shares - Fridays, 5pm - 7pm. Summer Shares - Tuesdays or Fridays, 5pm - 7pm

How Much: Spring Share - $140; Summer Share (returning members) - $570; Summer Share (new members) - $600; Summer Half-Share - $335; Fall Share - $140

For more information, visit Greenfield Berry Farm.

Martha’s Farm

What: Mixed vegetables (plus berries, apples, and grapes), with option for eggs.

When: May through October

Where: Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow

When: Saturdays, 9am to 12pm

OR

Where: Countryside Farmers’ Market at Highland Square

When: Thursdays, 4pm to 7pm, May 17th through September 27th

How Much: $30 per week for veggies only; $35 per week for veggies and eggs. Ohio Direction Card customers can use SNAP and Produce Perks tokens at Countryside Farmers’ Markets for payment.

For more information and early membership application, email Martha at [email protected].

Peter's Creek Farm

What: Mixed vegetables, with options for eggs, a chicken pack, and/or fall storage pack

When: July 14th - September 29th (12 weeks)

Where: On-Farm at 3451 S. Denmark Road, Dorset

OR

Where: Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow

When: Saturdays, 9am to 12pm

OR

Where: Ashtabula Harbor Farmers' Market

When: Sundays, 10am - 2pm

How Much: $450 full size, $350 small size, $50 fall pack, $25 chicken pack

For more information, contact Mike at [email protected] or call 440.858.9741.

Red Basket Farm

What: Mixed vegetables, with occasional inclusions of eggs, fruits, maple syrup and honey.

When: Beginning of June through end of September

Where: On-Farm at 6311 Mayburn Barclay Rd., Kinsman

When: Saturdays, 8am to 12pm

OR

Where: Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow

When: Saturdays, 9am to 12pm

OR

Where: Haymaker Farmers’ Market

When: Saturdays, 9am to 1pm

How much: $379

For more information, visit Red Basket Farm.

Simon Certified Organic Family Farm 

What: Mixed Organic Vegetables, including a pick-your-own herb garden and a potluck for members in July.

When: May 24th through October 4th (20 weeks)

Where: 1044 Battlesburg St SW, East Sparta

When: Tuesdays from 3pm - 7pm

How Much: $600

AND/OR

What: Flower Shares (separate from veggies)

What: May 24th through October 4th (20 weeks)

Where: 1044 Battlesburg St SW, East Sparta

When: Tuesdays from 3pm - 7pm

OR

Where: Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow

When: Saturdays from 9am to 12pm

How Much: $140

For more information, visit Simon Certified Organic Family Farm.

Spice Acres

What: Mixed vegetables, farm fresh eggs, Spice Pantry items, fresh flowers and honey. Plus herbs, seasonal fruits, recipes, and member perks

When: June 15th through November 16th (23 weeks)

Where: On-Farm at 9570 Riverview Rd., Brecksville

When: Fridays 4pm to Sunday at 4pm (please pick up before 9pm to respect family time)

OR

Have your share delivered Mondays between 12 and 6pm

How much: $750 pick-up; $960 delivery

For more information, visit Spice Acres.

Trapp Family Farm

What: Vegetables and herbs, eggs, dried beans, strawberries, meat, and possibly more.

When: Year-round

Where: 1019 West Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula

When: Thursdays, 4pm to 7pm

Cost: $2,000 per adult; Children (5-18 years) are $60 multiplied by their age.

For more information, click here and/or contact Mark at [email protected].

 

Order on the Interwebs!

Morningside Farm

What: Mixed Organic vegetables - order what and how much you like on a weekly basis.

When: Available now!

Where: 1075 State Rd., Hinckley

When: Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm (Orders must be placed by Monday at 5pm for Tuesday pick-up)

How Much: Determined by order

For more information, visit MorningSide Farm.

 

Farm Stands and Stores

Brunty Farms ~ Farm Store

What: A selection of popular cuts of pastured meats, frozen. Eggs.

When: Available now!

Where: 2470 Martin Rd., Akron

When: Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 8pm

For more information, visit Brunty Farms.

Brunty Farms ~ The Farmer’s Rail

What: A full service fresh butcher specializing in pasture raised eggs and meats from Brunty Farms. Also find a selection of other locally produced, and high quality fresh products (including seafood and charcuterie).

When: Available now!

Where: 1572 N Cleveland Massillon Rd., Bath

When: Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 am to 7pm, and Saturdays, 9am to 6pm

For more information, visit The Farmer’s Rail.

Greenfield Berry Farm ~ Pick-Your-Own Berries

What: Blueberries and Aronia Berries, and Sunflowers

When: Berry Season - TBD by Mother Nature (approximately late June through September)

Where: 2485 Major Rd., Peninsula

When: Depending on availability - stay updated for days and times here

For more information, visit Greenfield Berry Farm.

Purplebrown Farmstead

What: Mixed vegetables, flowers, and herbs

When: Opening in May

Where: 458 West Hines Hill Rd., Boston Heights

When: Thursday through Sunday, 8am to 8pm

For more information, visit Purplebrown Farmstead.

Oxbow Orchard ~ Farm Stand

 What: Mixed vegetables and duck eggs

When: Anticipated opening in early June

Where: 6885 Canal Rd., Valley View

When: Wednesdays through Sundays, 8am to 8pm

For more information, visit Oxbow Orchard.

 

Spice Acres ~ Farm Stand

What: Honey, eggs, flowers and occasional produce

When: June through October

Where: 9570 Riverview, Brecksville

When: Generally weekends

AND

What: You-Pick-Flowers

When: Tentatively beginning of July

Where:9570 Riverview, Brecksville

When: Saturdays

For more information, visit Spice Acres. 

Trapp Family Farm ~ Farm Stand

 

What: Mixed vegetables, eggs, meats, and more

When: Eggs available now, other products available as the season and harvest permit

Where: 1019 West Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula

When: Daily, 8am to 8pm

For more information, visit Trapp Family Farm.