Community Supported Agriculture - Opportunities around Wichita

Both produce & meat are available in CSA subscriptions locally this year!

My last post introduced the concept of Community Supported Agriculture, or a CSA.  CSA's are a great way for a community to support a local farmer, and for that farmer to provide regularly for the community who supports them.  While there are areas in Kansas who have abundant CSA opportunities, ours is one where I hope to see growth in the future.  Below are the great CSA opportunities in our area that I know about, and details about each one (they're all different).  Know of others in the area?  Contact me so I can share with community members who are interested.  Help me support local food & our local farmers!

• Schenker Family Farms Wichita CSA:  This is a new meat CSA this year provided by a farm that is Certified Naturally Grown and Animal Welfare Approved.  Talk about options!  You can choose the type of share you would like (full share, 3/4 share, 1/2 share or 1/4 share).  You also have a choice about the product:  would you like beef only, pork only, beef and pork, or beef, pork and lamb?  It's up to you.  You can also add on poultry or gill packs to your CSA subscription if you're in the mood for grillin' out.  Interested in learning more?  Email info@schenkerfarms.com or call them directly at 620-632-4470.

• Home Grown Kansas CSA Subscription Program:  When you sign up to support Home Grown Kansas, you'll receive an average of 10 lbs. per week of herbs, fruits and vegetables throughout the season (The mid-summer and early fall bags are over 10 lbs., the spring and early summer ones are lighter).  A new addition to their CSA subscription this year is eggs, which they hope to include periodically as they become available. Included with your weekly subscription are updates about the farm and suggestions for use of the produce included in that week's allotment.  What a great way to be connected to the grower!  Interested?  Learn more here.

• Morning Harvest Farms CSA (Newton area):  The Morning Harvest Farms CSA appears to be very flexible and has three interesting differences from other CSA opportunities I've seen previously.  First, you select the products, second there is no end to the season (although, at parts of the season eggs are the only option) and third, you determine how often you receive a box and if it's delivered or picked up at the farm.  Interesting...to learn more click here. 

This season, whether you join a CSA to support local farmers, shop at the farmers' market, or grow your own veggies, choose as much fresh, locally grown foods as you can.  I know we will!