CSA

And CSA is for "Community Supported Agriculture".

Yesterday, Danimal and I took a mini-field trip to Valley City, OH where the farm of our summer CSA is located. Plum Creek Farms is just a decade shy of their 200th anniversary, although they have only been running a CSA for about 5 years now. For those of you who don't know, a CSA is a group of individuals who "buy-in" to shares of a farm at the beginning of the growing season in exchange for a portion of the weekly farm produce. They share in all the risks and rewards of the farm. For the farmers, they get fo eliminate the advertising and middle men and focus more energy on what really counts - growing good food. Each week, they are going to deliver a food box to our local farmers market for pickup. That box consists of whatever is in season and grown on the farm. For example, this week we got fresh strawberries, rhubarb, mint, salad greens, asparagus. And delicious, delicious eggs. Have you ever had fresh eggs from pasture raised chickens? If you haven't you are totally missing out.

D and I were surprised how quickly the towns turned rural as we got off of I-71 in STrongsville. There were lots of big open fields, barns, horses. Finally, the GPS "declared" you have arrived at your destination. And boy, had we! A big silo towered over the dairy barn where the milkin' cows were kept. A tour was already in progress, but we jumped on the tail end of it. My coworker from work who recommended this CSA to me was there with her family. It was so great to see her "out of the office!"

They led us through the milking facilities, then into the pens where the cows were kept. They don't like to be outside in the heat. I was mesmerized by the calves. They were so cute!

We also saw the plots where the vegetables were growing strong, rows of lettuce and other good greens. There were bee hives off in the distance. I guess we might get some honey! Yum! Bees are one animal we have no desire to take care of ourselves. (D is haunted from the time one flew in his ear in kindergarden.)

And then... the poultry house. Today I have been stalking the web for news if the ordinance to have a chicken coop in Cleveland Heights passed. So I was pretty stoked to see how the CSA raised and kept their chickens. There was a myriad of varieties including the Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks we are eyeing.

But that wasn't the best part. Chickens are fun and all, but not much can beat the cuteness of ducklings. There were two metal tubs full of 'em. It took all my willpower to resist picking one up (they might not have minded but I didn't want to start out my relationship with the CSA on a bad foot!) I consciously made a point NOT to think about them as Christmas dinner, which is the destination for almost all of them. (Stay tuned for the sequal to "chicken run", "the great duck escape")

Anyway, after fresh homemade rhubarb lemonade, we gathered our basket and jumped back in the car to head home. Now to grill up some of that asparagus!