EIEIO Farms, though located in Wimberley, distributes into the larger foodie community of Austin…read morevia the Mueller Farmer's Market, Wheatsville, etc.--as well as with delivery through Greenling. More unique than other farms, this farm also launched its own product line of condiments and the like--local mayonnaise? Too cool. Their cilantro pecan pesto boasts a nutty, yet smooth flavor--less pungent than most jarred stuff, far too heavy on the garlic flavor, in my opinion. This green goop, crafted from local goods, would make a great addition to practically any dish. And what "thoughtful" and "moralistic" eater, generally enjoying grub of the vegetal varietal, would not partake in a CSA (community-supported agriculture) box, what with its local feel and feel good appeal? EIEIO is organic. What a great bonus.

We snagged this amazeballs garlic mayo today at Mueller market. I want all of my friends to try…read moreit...on something. It's so versatile. . . she mentioned using it in a potato salad or deviled eggs. Droool... I just used it as she said.....mixed with noodles (like a teaspoon!) and parm cheese and BOOM...some of the best alfredo you've ever had. I also was able to get some nice tomatoes. I ate those like an apple :) The mayo is so now a staple in my refrigerator.

This is our first year (second season) with Blessing Falls and I can't say enough good things about…read morethis farm! We get our delivery every week right on time and the food is always fresh. In the chance that anything isn't exactly right they go over and above to make it right. They even worked with us when we took a two-week vacation! Superb customer service! I also like that it takes the guesswork out of our weekly meals and that we get a good variety of produce each week. We also enjoy their eggs and ground beef! Can't wait to see what the fall crops bring us!

From the owner: Our weekly CSA delivers produce, beef, and eggs to your home or workplace throughout the greater…read moreAustin area. We're several neighboring families working together to grow natural, healthy, fresh, and tasty produce, meat, and eggs. We use organic methods, with no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides in our gardens, orchard, and pastures. Our vegetables are principally heirloom varieties and we never plant GMO seeds or crops at the farm. Our cattle are a cross between heritage Devons and the famous South Poll breed known for excellence on grass pastures with no need for grain or supplements. With rotational grazing, the cattle stay healthy and well fed, while the pastures get regular periods of rest and regrowth. The cattle are never fed any grain, hormones, or antibiotics. The calves are born on our farm and live here their whole life. Cattle are processed at nearby state-inspected meat markets, ensuring the health and integrity of all the meat we sell. We're continually expanding. Our most recent additions include heritage pasture-raised pork and a milk cow.

Loved this quaint, thoughtful farm. Well selected certified organic produce grown right behind the…read morebarn they offer it in-- the owners really adore vegetables and you can tell in the quality. A few of the vegetables they had this morning were 3 types of zucchinis, a special Texan butternut-type squash, green beans, bok choy, French sorrel, garlic chives, cucumber, carrots, and likely more I'm forgetting. The prices were very very fair and I think even lower than grocery store organic, plus you're supporting a small local farm. They also offer other carefully selected items like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a few bulk grains. In the fall they'll start offering healthy cooking classes, specializing in vegetarian and raw foods. It was great to just let what they had inspire cooking for the weekend, we'll be back!

The food is great but sometimes out of stock since we get delivery on Friday. No matter, we have…read moreturned to adjust. They have the best customer service I have ever experienced.

I have been ordering from Farm Fresh off and on for the past two years. I elected to go with…read moreproduce from local farmers as I have suffered from various health issues and decided that a change in my food may be a way in which I could improve my health. Also, ​​ how food is handled is critical. Before food reaches the customer, the chance it has gone through many hands is higher, and the foods are stored longer before reaching you. Often, food additives are preservatives added to keep the food fresh for longer. However, buying from the farm is safe. It comes from the farm or grocery direct to you. Additionally, farm-fresh foods help reduce stress and fatigue. Veggies and whole fruits are fiber-rich foods that lower the effect of depression and enhance your mood (score)! I have ordered fruit, vegetables, meal kits, beverages, meats, etc. from this vendor. I have had great experience with customer service, and concerns regarding missing or incorrect items or verifying delivery times have been addressed promptly. The goods from this vendor are on the pricey side, but well worth the money for fresh food delivered to your home. #supportlocal

Contrary to its name, Animal Farm isn't quite an animal farm. They do have two sizable chicken…read morecoups, a horse, a pony, pigs, some dogs and a few other small animals on the property, but those are mostly for cultivating purposes. Animal Farm is actually a 70+-acre property complete with a permaculture center, yoga center, extensive certified organic garden of arugula, tomatoes, legumes, summer squash, sunchokes, sweet peppers, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips and other foods that you'll find at local (including Houston) farmers markets and on the menus at several Houston and Austin restaurants - Local Foods, Haven and Sorrel Bistro, just to name a few. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to check out Animal Farm for a tour and a seven-course farm dinner hosted along with Roots Bistro, 13 Celsius, and a few other local participants. It was a unique and educational experience in which we learned about the 20-year history of Animal Farm and its permaculture techniques directly from founders (and former Houstonians) Guita Van Woerden and husband Cas. Not only do I looked forward to attending another Animal Farm dinners (about $120 per person), but on my next visit to an Urban Harvest farmers market, I'll head straight to their booth to purchase some freshly harvested and delicious arugula and sunchokes.

Initially, I discovered Animal Farm through Urban Harvest Farmers Market (Eastside). They are…read morecertified organic and the only farm in the area that seem to be. They use permaculture principles as part of their farming practices. I admire them for what they do. Frankly, when I start my farm, I would love to utilize their techniques. I've visited the farm twice for farm-to-table dinners last year. The owners are lovely and laid-back. Both times I went, Gita offered a tour and provided a brief overview of how Animal Farm started. It was her idea and she is truly an inspiration. She had no agricultural background at all. The property is about 70 acres and only 20 acres is being used. I believe they live off the grid by using solar power. They offer a CSA program. They grow herbs and all sorts of vegetables and fruits. And also a huge variety of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen!!! I have been buying produce from them every single time I go to Urban Harvest. Some of the vegetables are: jerusalem artichokes, cauliflower (in different colors), rainbow carrots, green onions, broccoli, arugula, romaine lettuce, beets, turnips, different radishes, bell peppers (all colors), shishito peppers, tuscano kale, dragon tongue beans, cucumbers, eggplants, all sorts of squash, etc. Some fruits: blackberries, jujubes, mulberries, a variety of tomatoes, persimmons, fijoas. I highly recommend you visit their farm in Cat Spring and check out their farm-to-table dinners. Follow them on facebook to see upcoming events. Also, you can pay them a visit at Rice University Farmers Market (every Tuesday) or Urban Harvest Eastside (every Saturday).

Toured this past week by invitation of one of the kids that took their one week summer camp. The…read moreenthusiasm of the children was infectious. They did not have enough shares for extra folks to buy but the concept and ability to join a CSA was way cool. We did cook some of the veggies the same day as picked. Having children interested in veggies in a new light, fantastic. Pricey for these campers, but the lessons learned are life long. Incredibly fun to see children understand food does not come from Traders Joe's, but from a farm. Not sure these children understood the process of roaming pigs resulting in bacon. The owners market the farm extensively. A future generation is educated on sustainability. Outstanding!

A friend and I decided to join a CSA last Spring, and spent some time researching the different…read morefarms in the Austin area. We selected Green Gate because of the location (its one of the few farms actually IN Austin city limits), the variety of produce they offered, and the overall value. Every Saturday morning, we would take the short drive to the farm to get our fresh veggies. Some other CSA's have your veggies all bagged up for you ready to go. Green Gate does it a little differently, and we like their way much better. For CSA members, there is a chalkboard listing what is in the weekly share (i.e. 2 heads of broccoli, a bag of green beans, 1 head of each variety of lettuce, etc...) and then like at the farmer's market, you get to select your own. They also have a farm stand for non-CSA members or in case you need an extra squash (but trust me, you will never need an extra squash!), some eggs, fresh meat, flowers, or a tomato plant, you can pick that up there and skip the grocery store altogether. We really enjoyed our bounty and discovered some new veggies (hooray for kohlrabi!). We are eagerly awaiting the first Fall harvest. But be forewarned-you get a LOT of veggies and things could get ugly. Between my friend and me, we were feeding 2 two-member households. The veggies had no shame, and why should they? They were fresh, young, delectable. They took over my refrigerator and ganged up to intimidate my other food. Tortillas were hiding in the back, trying to go unnoticed. Yogurt was cowering behind Salsa, while Salsa was just trying to blend in. I found non organic store-bought Carrots withered and dead in the deli drawer. It appears to have been a suicide, but that was the last straw for the older inhabitants of my fridge. I could tell they were planning something big. After the Carrots incident I had to start giving away my excess veggies before there was a Mutiny on the Bounty.

The Brushy Creek Farmers Market is a new fledgling market in Round Rock that could use some…read moresupport. I rate this place a 3 because there is some work to be done to get this market ramped up and really stocked with goodies. I visited during the weekly Saturday 9 am to 1 pm hours to find a small handful of vendors. There were several arts and crafts stands, a masseuse, and a couple of jelly/preserves sellers. There were a few produce vendors, but selection was pretty limited. I did get some nice locally grown squash. I'm not sure how much the limited selection had to do with the horrific summer we've had or if it was the newness of the market. My favorite vendor was Richardson Farms. They were offering free range eggs, chicken, pork products (including fresh uncured bacon), and grass fed beef. The eggs and pork we bought were reasonably priced and freaking delicious. This isn't yet a major farmer's market, so some visitors might be a bit disappointed with the selection. It is my hope that this one will pick up momentum and draw more shoppers and vendors.

My own private farmers market....that's what this felt like. It's super small still and not too…read morecrowded and I had the opportunity to sample everything and to visit with all the cool vendors and their pooches. There was only about 9 vendors there but there was enough stuff to make a few meals all around. Fresh baked breads and organic pastas, fresh veggies such as squash, maters, taters, and onions, jellies, salsas, farm raised meats, and even cupcakes for dessert! Not to mention some jewelry, honey and pralines. Living out in the hinterlands of Cedar Park, I was super stoked to find out about this (thanks Chris S!). I haven't found any CSA's to deliver to my house, but I can now order from some of these folks online and then pick up on Saturdays here. And it beats the hell outta getting up early Saturdays and driving all the way to San Antonio (aka Sunset Valley). Richardson Farms provides grass fed beef and pork and chicken, and another stall had what's called "design your dine" with pre-frozen fresh organic dinners that you just thaw out and cook and they say each one is only about 500 calories. Came home with some zukes, some pasta, a coupla pork chops and some fanfreakintasticly fresh pico de gallo from Kala's Kuisine, which apparently has won 2 years in a row now at the Hot Sauce Festival (and I can see why). I would encourage all my fellow Northerners to check this out.....but I still wanna keep it my own private farmers market. Enigma.

My daughter loved Blackwood Nature Camp for five summers. It was the one place she felt she could…read moretruly be herself. She dreamed of becoming a counselor. Even after she was interviewed and selected to their Counselor-in-Training program, this year she was removed from the training based on a year‑old accusation we were never told about, never shown documentation for, and never given a chance to discuss. She was confronted alone as a minor, her belongings were searched without her knowledge, and she was later told not to ever speak about the incident. Even after multiple attempts to discuss the incident with Camp leadership, including their Board members, I never received a response. The way this was handled has caused her significant emotional distress and destroyed her trust in the adults running the camp. I hope Blackwood reevaluates how it treats children under their care. I cannot recommend Blackwood Nature Camp. This review reflects my personal experience and opinions as a parent.

This is an EXCEPTIONAL place. We attended their Mornings in the Country event on a Saturday. Each…read moreevent is different so our experience may not be identical to yours. The event was from 10-2 and we were greeted and invited to roam and explore the grounds. Their farm is EXQUISITELY designed. Later, the on-site farmer, Becca, took us on a tour and we learned about organic gardening and the balance between plants and soil. It's all about the soil :) Becca was on hand to explain her farming techniques and answer our questions. We were served a delicious lunch outdoors in the large covered patio. This is a MUST SEE/VISIT place. My pics don't do it justice. Our group was a four year old and her grandparents and we all had fun!