Showing posts with label CSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CSA. Show all posts

Monday, March 21, 2011

Keeping it Local

Each year we attempt a garden. I say attempt here because it is never a true success. The weeds take over on the days that I have to work and the garden disappears. It looks like a sci-fi movie with the weeds growing at warp speed. We love fresh vegetables, salads, onions, pumpkins.....on and on and on. We always had a garden in Florida. My mom worked very hard every day to keep the weeds at bay. They almost have a year round growing season there. They are having fresh strawberries while we still have snow on the ground. Maine has a very short growing season. Most plants are started indoors a couple of months before the ground outside is warm enough to plant. Otherwise they never mature and get caught in the first freeze. I tried to start some seeds indoors, once. The cats had a wonderful time and really appreciated the fresh greens. This year we have a plan. Our plan is to buy fresh organic produce through a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture Farm. We have bought a full share in Parker Produce , an organic farm in Newport, Maine. You can find them at http://parkerproduce.org/ For a fee, they provide a variety of fresh vegetables through out the summer and fall. They use sustainable organic practices without pesticides and poisons. That means fresh salad greens, peppers, kale, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers..........I love a colorful salad. Aren't these little peppers so cute? They are sweet and crunchy.

We will be able to provide our own farm raised chickens and lamb. We also bake our own bread. Last summer I bought this bread machine on Amazon.com and I am in love. The house smells so wonderful with bread baking. I know I could mix, knead, let rise and bake bread from scratch in the oven. However, in our kitchen the temp hovers around 65degrees on some winter days. Not warm enough for bread to rise. There are some improvements that I am very willing to use. This is one.


It always catches me unawares when it starts to bump and thump in the knead cycle.

So, if you aren't able to spend the time planting and growing your own fresh vegetables, do the next best thing. Buy local. Support your local CSA. Always buy local when possible. Keeping the money in state is the best way to kick start our economy. I think China is a lovely place but right now we need help right here at home.


Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm