The summer harvest season is nearing its end, which means it's time to sign up for your local Winter CSA. This year, Bialas Farms of New Hampton, NY will be my "root cellar", holding onto my "storage crops" such as potatoes, onions, shallots, leeks, turnips, beets, carrots, and winter squash. I'll also receive my share of cabbage, kale, spinach and greenhouse greens and herbs.

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement in the United States originated in 1986, when two groups of people got together at the Indian Line Farm in Massachussetts, and the Temple-Wilton Community Farm southern New Hampshire. These communities, which coincidentally started during the same year, were both influenced by the European-born philosopy of "Biodynamic Agriculture", which took root in the 1920's. (1) Both farms are still active today.(2)

CSA is made up of a group of individuals that contribute monetary funds, and sometimes "help days", to a local farm in exchange for a share of the harvest throughout the growing season. This "spiritual share" of the local farm is a great way for CSA members to connect to the land, participate in their own food production, and actually meet the people that are helping to put food on the family dinner table. (3) The winter CSA helps them to maintain these connections as they interact with farm and farmer during their regular "pick up" days, that usually run from November through February.

Because of my misfortune with a poorly-producing home garden this year, I had the good fortune of meeting the folks from Bialas Farms at one of our local green markets. Thanks to them, I had a steady supply of fresh corn, garlic, onions, lettuce, spinach, and some great tasting purple potatoes. Their prices were very reasonable, and it was really nice to know that my family wasn't eating the proverbial "Three Thousand Mile Caesar Salad". If you'd like to enjoy fresh, local produce throughout the Winter season, search the web for your local CSA, and get on board before the subscriptions run out.

Sources: (1) Community Farms in the 21st Century: Poised for Another Wave of Growth?, (2) Indian Line Farm, Temple-Wilton Community Farm, (3) Community Supported Agriculture

Special thanks to Bialas Farms for information on their CSA.