Anybody else here ever buy into a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) before or are doing it this year? Just wondering what other's experiences have been. I'm giving it a go for the first time this year and bought a full share at Angelic Organics. I'm really excited about it and get my first box of veggies in mid-June. I also anticipate having waaaay too much for just myself and feeding a lot of friends.

It is a great way to support Organic farming. As the farmer does not have to obtain loans or the like on his crop you are gambleing with him.

We can visit the farm a couple of times a year.

Prepare to eat 5 pounds of Swiss Chard a week.

Question: I have asked Swiss people about Swiss Chard and they have never heard of it. Is Swiss Chard another Sweedish Fish a fish that has never darkened the feords of Sweeden?

We've done Home Grown Wisconsin for a few years. If nothing else you will be forced to eat way more vegetables than you normally would.

Angelic?!?!? Isn't that like the Wal*Mart of local organic farms? That's my memory of it from a documentary I saw about local organic farms a couple/few years ago anyway. Got bigger and bigger, tried to get local kids to come out and work for free but not enough were interested in actually doing hard work for little or no money, so they ended up leaning more towards illegal migrant workers who work harder and are already skilled in the farming, etc.

My ex used to work at a couple different local organic farms, and had a shit-ton of vegetables all the time. I don't much go in for vegetables, but I have to say these were the best carrots I ever ate. And you oughta learn how to make beet bread, cause it's damn good considering it's made with something as generally-gross as beets.

Also, be ready to make lotsa stew and stuff. And to have like ten pounds of leeks or whatnot.

Good to hear you did it.

Swiss chard is one of my favorites, so I'm looking forward to that. I attempted a small garden when I lived in Phoenix and it was the only thing that grew. But, man, did it grow...must like that alkaline 'soil'. No idea on the origins of the name though.

I almost did the Angelic thing last summer but it was too late in the season.

I worry that I don't cook well enough or cook enough to make this worth the money. It's a more worthy an expenditure than many, many things so maybe that shouldn't be a bother.

mmmaybe I should look into again...

i did it two years ago and am again doing it this year. it's a fantastic deal, supports local farmers, and makes you cook new things.

don't worry about ability to cook. if it's green and/or red and leafy, you can sauté it. if it's a root you can use it any way you either use a carrot or a potato. squash? bake it and add salt and butter.

many csa programs hand out recipes along with your weekly share.

not crap.

Yeah, sorry Scott, they don't grow pizza. Har har.

Anyway, I have no problem with the fact that Angelic is one of the biggest CSA's in the area...1000 full shares, I think. In fact, I see it as really great thing that they have been able to make their CSA economically viable and I think that's about as far as the Wal-Mart comparison can go. I don't think the food industry will change unless people (farmers) see examples where sustainable, local, organic food production is also profitable.

my girlfriend and i did it last year and are doing it again this year. we split a share with another couple. it is great. tons of fresh veggies, berries and flowers. the price is something like $250 and is well worth it. the tomatoes! the watermelon! the green leafy things! i can't wait for that shit. i also like that we are supporting a local farm. a good friend of mine has been working there for over 10 years and practically runs it at this point.

While I am proud of my Southern heritage, I cannot endorse the Confederate States of America or the "rebel" flag.