Veggies...what are they good for?

As it turns out, nothing this week. At Oakley Laurel Farms, the Wilmington Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm that I am a member of, the deer and the weather are causing a slow start. CSA farms are set up differently than traditional farms. Members pay in advance for a share, a box of produce, that is delivered each week throughout the season. Farmers receive the price of the share at the beginning of the season which provides them with capital and ensures that even if it is a bad season they are not bearing the burden alone. This means that if the harvest is small this year, our share sizes will be reduced. No matter what the harvest, the produce will be spread evenly among the members.

Our weekly produce delivery was set to begin the first Thursday in October. However, the start date has been pushed back for several weeks. Robb Prichard, our farmer, says not to worry. Last year she encountered similar difficulties but was up and running before the end of October. I am hoping to spend some time volunteering at the farm late this week or early next week. I miss getting my hands dirty!