Know how grows your food....Time to become a CSA member

You can name your dentist, doctor, or personal trainer. But what about your farmer? Paying a farmer to grow your food may be the best investment you ever make. Not only is the food top quality, it is extremely fresh and full of vitamins, minerals, and disease fighting compounds.

Joining a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way to get to know who grows your food. Most growers encourage farm visits. Amy Fiedler of Springhouse Farm grew for 16 families last year and found the relationship with her members to be one of the most satisfying aspects of the job. She said, “I think it’s so important for people to know how food is grown, now more than ever. Anyone is welcome to lend a helping hand and get involved in whatever area they are interested in on the farm.” Amy sites another major benefit as knowing how much to grow for a known market. She would like to expand considerably for the 2013 season, and is willing to work with community members who receive EBT, formally known as food stamp benefits. 

Typically, CSA members join by paying a set fee for produce and other farm goods between now and early spring to receive a weekly supply of freshly picked food as it ripens. This is a great way to learn about the growing season. Vegetables harvested in May are typically cold tolerant, like lettuce, bok choy and other greens, with corn and tomatoes arriving late in the summer.
 
Becoming a CSA member helps small, local farms survive financially, since they have many expenses this time of year and haven’t really been paid since the end of last growing season. You invest in them and they reward you every week with healthy, beautiful, sustainably grown food.

I have listed a few farms that are taking CSA members right now. I’m sure there are some programs that I have unintentionally excluded. If you would like to get more information and meet growers, make plans to attend a CSA fair on Monday, March 18^th beginning at 4:30. This will be held at the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd. in Boone.

Spring House Farm is certified organic and located in Vilas. You may choose a half share, which provides approximately $15 worth of vegetables each week for $300, due by April 1. A full share provides around $25 worth of vegetables each week for $500. If you live near Vilas, you may pick up your produce on the farm Tuesdays between noon and 6 p.m. at their produce stand beginning May 28^th. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 8 and 11:30 a.m., beginning May 25th. The season lasts for 20 weeks. Contact Amy Feidler with any questions or to reserve your share. Phone: (828)719-6825,   e-mail: amyj@skybest.com , http://www.springhousefarm.net/

Creeksong Farm is not certified organic, but uses organic methods for production and is located in Creston. They offer a variety of produce, beef and eggs. Pickups begin June 4^th between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and continue for 20 weeks at the Agricultural Conference Center loading dock in Boone, or between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the farm in Creston. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 10 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Full shares cost $500, and you receive $25 worth of food each week. Half shares cost $300, and you receive $15 worth of food each week. A 50% deposit is due March 20, and the rest of the payment is due May 1. For more information, call Jeff and Bettie Thomas at (336) 385-6302 or visit http://www.creeksongfarm.com/CreeksongFarm/CSA.html.

High Country CSA represents a group of growers and producers that grow according to organic standards, but may not be certified. There are several options for the 2013 season, which runs from June through mid-October. The garden share contains four to six vegetables weekly. This option is perfect for small households; $300. The full harvest contains seven to 10 seasonal produce items, including herbs. It is appropriate for large households, or small households that rely on produce for a significant portion of their diet; $600. The variety share highlights four to six seasonal produce items, while also including special items like free-range eggs, breads, goat cheese, molasses, etc. This option will introduce you to the best variety in High Country food; $600. An egg share may be added to any of the three main share options.  The egg share features a dozen free-range eggs biweekly, 10 dozen total; $42.

The priority deadline is April 15th. Sign up and pay for the entire season by June 1^st. If you receive EBT benefits, ask about the details of becoming a member. The pickup locations are Bare Essentials in Boone every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visit their website: http://highcountrycsa.org/summer-shares or e-mail: highcountrycsa@gmail.com

You can name your dentist, doctor, or personal trainer. But what about your farmer? Paying a farmer to grow your food may be the best investment you ever make. Not only is the food top quality, it is extremely fresh and full of vitamins, minerals, and disease fighting compounds.

Joining a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way to get to know who grows your food. Most growers encourage farm visits. Amy Fiedler of Springhouse Farm grew for 16 families last year and found the relationship with her members to be one of the most satisfying aspects of the job. She said, “I think it’s so important for people to know how food is grown, now more than ever. Anyone is welcome to lend a helping hand and get involved in whatever area they are interested in on the farm.” Amy sites another major benefit as knowing how much to grow for a known market. She would like to expand considerably for the 2013 season, and is willing to work with community members who receive EBT, formally known as food stamp benefits. 

Typically, CSA members join by paying a set fee for produce and other farm goods between now and early spring to receive a weekly supply of freshly picked food as it ripens. This is a great way to learn about the growing season. Vegetables harvested in May are typically cold tolerant, like lettuce, bok choy and other greens, with corn and tomatoes arriving late in the summer.
 
Becoming a CSA member helps small, local farms survive financially, since they have many expenses this time of year and haven’t really been paid since the end of last growing season. You invest in them and they reward you every week with healthy, beautiful, sustainably grown food.

I have listed a few farms that are taking CSA members right now. I’m sure there are some programs that I have unintentionally excluded. If you would like to get more information and meet growers, make plans to attend a CSA fair on Monday, March 18^th beginning at 4:30. This will be held at the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd. in Boone.

Spring House Farm is certified organic and located in Vilas. You may choose a half share, which provides approximately $15 worth of vegetables each week for $300, due by April 1. A full share provides around $25 worth of vegetables each week for $500. If you live near Vilas, you may pick up your produce on the farm Tuesdays between noon and 6 p.m. at their produce stand beginning May 28^th. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 8 and 11:30 a.m., beginning May 25th. The season lasts for 20 weeks. Contact Amy Feidler with any questions or to reserve your share. Phone: (828)719-6825,   e-mail: amyj@skybest.com , http://www.springhousefarm.net/

Creeksong Farm is not certified organic, but uses organic methods for production and is located in Creston. They offer a variety of produce, beef and eggs. Pickups begin June 4^th between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and continue for 20 weeks at the Agricultural Conference Center loading dock in Boone, or between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the farm in Creston. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 10 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Full shares cost $500, and you receive $25 worth of food each week. Half shares cost $300, and you receive $15 worth of food each week. A 50% deposit is due March 20, and the rest of the payment is due May 1. For more information, call Jeff and Bettie Thomas at (336) 385-6302 or visit http://www.creeksongfarm.com/CreeksongFarm/CSA.html.

High Country CSA represents a group of growers and producers that grow according to organic standards, but may not be certified. There are several options for the 2013 season, which runs from June through mid-October. The garden share contains four to six vegetables weekly. This option is perfect for small households; $300. The full harvest contains seven to 10 seasonal produce items, including herbs. It is appropriate for large households, or small households that rely on produce for a significant portion of their diet; $600. The variety share highlights four to six seasonal produce items, while also including special items like free-range eggs, breads, goat cheese, molasses, etc. This option will introduce you to the best variety in High Country food; $600. An egg share may be added to any of the three main share options.  The egg share features a dozen free-range eggs biweekly, 10 dozen total; $42.

The priority deadline is April 15th. Sign up and pay for the entire season by June 1^st. If you receive EBT benefits, ask about the details of becoming a member. The pickup locations are Bare Essentials in Boone every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visit their website: http://highcountrycsa.org/summer-shares or e-mail: highcountrycsa@gmail.com

North Fork Farm offers boxes of frozen beef, pork and chicken that are available for five months, from April until August. Full shares consist of five monthly deliveries of up to 20 pounds for $550. Half shares consist of five monthly deliveries of approximately 10 pounds for $300. North Fork Farm is committed to distributing quality beef, pork and chicken to CSA members. All meat is USDA inspected, vacuum packed and raised without antibiotics or added hormones. The payment deadline is April 5^th. They meet their members at the Agricultural Conference Center parking lot in Boone. For more information, contact Jimmy and Sheila Greene at 828-297-5755, e-mail northforkfarm@skybest.com Visit their website at http://northforkfarmbeef.com/

Beaverdam Watershed Water Quality Project in Last Year of Funding

Notice the creek is muddy.  This project is working to minimize the sediment in Beaverdam creek and its tributaries.  

Although Beaverdam Creek flows through a picturesque landscape, the stream itself has been listed as “impaired” by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. The presence of several pollutants, such as biological pollutants, sediment, or high water temperatures, could be the cause of the “impaired” designation.  Impaired water quality from sediment, runoff and thermal pollution not only affects Beaverdam Creek, but the overall water quality of the Watauga River because Beaverdam Creek is a headwater stream.

The Watauga River Partners, a nonprofit environmental organization based out of Watauga County N.C., received a grant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to develop a watershed rehabilitation plan for Beaverdam Creek, located in the western Watauga County community of Bethel. Developing a plan to remedy these impacts is important to water quality in the Watauga River basin.  Funding for the Beaverdam Creek Watershed Restoration Project has been used to help landowners prevent land loss, improve drinking water and fish habitats, and implement best management practices for their farms.

The Watauga River Partners have until the end of 2013 to provide financial assistance to residents who own land along Beaverdam Creek or its tributaries and are willing to share costs, labor and equipment. The funding may be used for plants along creek banks, rain gardens, alternate watering and feeding approaches, cattle crossings and fencing and other approved alternatives.   This is a great opportunity for landowners to not only improve their property, but to insure the Watauga River remains a vital, healthy waterway for fishing, habitat and drinking water.  Watauga River Partners is working with Watauga County Cooperative Extension and North Carolina Division of Soil and Water Conservation to install projects in the Beaverdam community.  

If you are interested in working with this project contact Ashley Wilson at 828-773-8652 or email her at Ashley@WataugaRiverPartners.org
About the Watauga River Partners:

The Watauga River Partners formed in 1999 as a chapter of the Western North Carolina Alliance in response to the growing pressures on the water quality of the Watauga River and its tributaries. The purpose of the organization is to educate the community about the Watauga River and to promote conservation and rehabilitation of the river. Watuaga River Partners’ efforts to protect the Watauga River serve communities along the 60-mile stretch of river. The Watauga River is perhaps the most outstanding natural resource of the North Carolina High Country, where it is a center for outdoor recreation, a site of scientific research, a fragile ecosystem that is home to endangered species of aquatic life, a source of high-quality water, and a contributor to local and regional economies.  http://wataugariverpartners.org/

2013 Rain Barrel Sale

The Watauga County Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Town of Boone are working with Rain Water Solutions to offer high country residents the opportunity to purchase the new and improved “IVY” rain barrel at the discounted price of $75 versus the regular retail price of $119 (plus $50 shipping).   We are able to bulk purchase and deliver to pass the savings along to you! 

Not all rain barrels are created equal!  The “IVY” rain barrel provides a new era of design innovation for an economical price.   The forest green barrel features a 50-gallon capacity, locking lid, 2 overflow ports, screened inlet, and its 50% recycled plastic.  Best of all, the entire barrel and all the components are MADE IN THE USA!!!  Dimensions are 43” high and 22” diameter. 

The average homeowner uses approximately 40% of water for outdoor use. A one-inch rainfall on a 1,200 square foot roof will yield over 700 gallons of water. Using a rain barrel is an excellent way to conserve some of this water.  A quarter inch run-off from an average roof will easily fill the barrel. If you have 5 storms a season, that equals 275 gallons of free water. Rain barrel use reduces the stress on municipal water systems during the summer months and improves storm water management.

How to order:
Go to the following website to order your rain barrel.
http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/watauga-county
You must place your order by May 31st, 2013.  The barrels will be available in Boone on June 6^th for the one-day pick up event.  Pick up will be at the Agricultural Conference Center at 252 Poplar Grove Rd

Top 5 Reasons to Harvest Rainwater!

* Protect our rivers and streams from runoff pollution
* Divert water from the municipal storm drain system
* Conserve this vital natural resource and reduce your water bills
* Use the rain water to grow healthy and lush plants
* Control moisture levels around the foundation of your home

The Rain Barrel Sale is presented to you by: Watauga County Cooperative Extension, Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District and The Town of Boone.

Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and save money. Use a rain barrel for watering lawns and flowers, as well as, washing cars, pets, and driveways.  Since we can’t see into future weather patterns, and we don’t know what this summer holds, why don’t you go ahead and get your “IVY” 50-gallon rain water harvesting system today!