This is my third year signing up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm share, and my…read moresecond year with Genesis Growers. Following a less-than-satisfactory experience with a different farm, we switched to GG because we wanted something that was a little more local and had more of a community feel to it; we also wanted a place that offered pick-up locations on the South Side. Last year's pickup at Hyde Park worked wonderfully, but to save trouble and to bring CSA produce to our own area, we decided to host our own pick-up point at our place in Bridgeport. Last year were were amazed at the massive amount and variety of produce we received (greens, fruits, berries, veggies, herbs, eggs, etc), and how late in the year we kept getting boxes. Our last boxes came sometime in november, and were stocked full of crops that could overwinter (squash, pumpkins, potatoes, beets, onions, etc), and even some items that had been canned for us!
Our experiences working with Vicki have been nothing but positive. My husband and I both love the emails she sends out just before the dispatch of every week's boxes - telling us news about the farm, tips on what to do with the produce, and more about her work. Having had a chance to email back and forth with Vicki about the progress she's making, I have to say that I am seriously impressed by her forward thinking attempts to collaborate with other small farms in her area. Currently Vicki is working on educating other farmers about growing crops to overwinter, and helping them find other venues at which to sell or donate excess crops/foodstuffs that haven't been able to sell. I love the idea that not only are Genesis Growers trying their best to bring me the highest quality local produce possible, but they are also striving to find ways to collaborate with their neighbors to create access to local products that can be distributed even in the non-growing months (or saved up to fill out the boxes in the usually-leaner spring weeks).
It will be interesting to see where things lead with the farm, and what other new plans Vicki makes.
This year other CSA members decided to put together an email list for discussions, which has already proven to be extremely useful in getting recipes for lesser-known spring crops.
Aside from the internet presence of GG and those involved, there are also parties held at the farm a couple times per season in order to get everyone together and feeling more connected to where their food is from.
I can't recommend this particular CSA farm more highly; I hope her following continues to grow.
