Weath Underground Farm: A Local CSA
Following is a summary of the Country Living series talk on April 24, 2010 at the Skyline Grange.
Chris Siegel and Nolan Calisch took a lease on the Metro property on Newberry Rd. in 2008 as the new home for Wealth Underground Farm (WUF). Their original intention was to grow produce for sale at the St. Johns farmers market and to local restaurants.
They initially developed a 1/3 acre market garden by laboriously stripping the sod from old pasture land, creating raised beds and composting the sod. Keeping deer and especially elk out of the garden was an early challenge.
Starting this year, WUF will evolve into a CSA, or Community Support Agriculture, farm. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture). Chris and Nolan said the CSA model developed in the US from the 1980’s and has benefits for both farmers and consumers. Shares are now being offered to up to 20 households, who will receive fresh produce every week during the 25-week season from June to September.
In addition to veggies, WUF will offer chickens for both eggs and meat, plus rabbits, ducks and turkeys. Subscribers can also purchase optional shares with a local bakery and coffee roasting company.
To accommodate the increased production demand, Chris and Nolan have expanded the garden to ½ acre under irrigation. They have increased composting to maintain soil fertility, added new elk fencing, and built new propagation and packing facilities. They farm using organic methods and strive to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
You can follow Chris and Nolan’s blog at www.wealthunderground.blogspot.com. Find out more about WUF at http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M35866. Contact them at wealth.underground@gmail.com.
Chris Siegel and Nolan Calisch took a lease on the Metro property on Newberry Rd. in 2008 as the new home for Wealth Underground Farm (WUF). Their original intention was to grow produce for sale at the St. Johns farmers market and to local restaurants.
They initially developed a 1/3 acre market garden by laboriously stripping the sod from old pasture land, creating raised beds and composting the sod. Keeping deer and especially elk out of the garden was an early challenge.
Starting this year, WUF will evolve into a CSA, or Community Support Agriculture, farm. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture). Chris and Nolan said the CSA model developed in the US from the 1980’s and has benefits for both farmers and consumers. Shares are now being offered to up to 20 households, who will receive fresh produce every week during the 25-week season from June to September.
In addition to veggies, WUF will offer chickens for both eggs and meat, plus rabbits, ducks and turkeys. Subscribers can also purchase optional shares with a local bakery and coffee roasting company.
To accommodate the increased production demand, Chris and Nolan have expanded the garden to ½ acre under irrigation. They have increased composting to maintain soil fertility, added new elk fencing, and built new propagation and packing facilities. They farm using organic methods and strive to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
You can follow Chris and Nolan’s blog at www.wealthunderground.blogspot.com. Find out more about WUF at http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M35866. Contact them at wealth.underground@gmail.com.
|
|