On every Blog Action Day since the first one in 2007, bloggers around the world have come together to focus on one subject. This year we are talking about food. Please click on the B.A.D. badge to visit some of the bloggers from over 80 countries who are taking part in this year's project.
We always wondered about getting food from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, but didn't really do anything about it until we saw an article in our local paper. It was all about a new farm right here in the Mesilla Valley that was offering weekly, year-round harvest boxes of fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables.
We took a ride down to Mesilla and met Charlie and Emily, the farmers at Los Poblanos Organics--and the rest is history. Because our particular CSA allows but does not require a subscription, each week for almost a year now we have ordered our box online. A few days later we pick up a box full of some of the best food we've ever eaten. There are always optional choices to pick out at the farm--for instance, do we want extra tomatoes or eggplant? Do we prefer cantaloupe or watermelon? We can also order organic meats and other locally produced foods like honey, jam, bread, and eggs from nearby partner farms.
 |
| Some of the contents of a harvest box |
Why support a local farm?
1. We get the freshest fruits and vegetables available. They are delicious, and grown without chemicals. Sometimes we learn about foods that are new to us, like pluots, kohlrabi, and kale. There are plenty of recipes available online, although we find that we like most of our fruits as is, and our vegetables fairly plain--steamed and with a minimum of added ingredients.
2. We get to meet the farmers and see the food that they are growing. Charlie and Emily are a big part of our week now. We get to check out their chickens, look at what's coming up in the fields, and ask questions about crops and recipes. We also get to see the progress of a flower garden at the farm that is being grown by some nearby home schooled kids.
3. We are feeling pretty darned healthy. With more fruits and vegetables on hand than we have ever had in our lives, we are meeting and exceeding all the daily standards for minimum daily requirements. We are bursting with vitamins and minerals, and have less room for unhealthy foods. We are losing weight, and we find that we crave carrots more than cake. I have no idea how that came about, but it's a good thing!
4. We are helping make a difference to the earth. By supporting both local and organic farming, we are helping prevent pollution through unnecessary transportation of goods from state to state. We reduce our dependence on fossil fuels because our food comes from the place just down the road. By purchasing food grown through non-chemical agricultural practices, we have a small part in improving the soils and protecting the groundwaters in our area.
I hope that you will check out Community Supported Agriculture in your area. You can get started by reading about the movement and locating a nearby farm on the Local Harvest web site.
