Tucson community supported agriculture

CSA stands for community supported agriculture. Here in Tucson, we’re fortunate to have a well tuned source. The Tucson CSA offers three-month subscriptions, or “shares,” of local organic produce. A share consist of a weekly bag of fresh, local, naturally-grown produce, straight from the field to your table.

My share is every other week as opposed to weekly so instead of 13 weeks, I can choose 6 or 7 weeks. Pickups are on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 4 to 7  p.m. in the courtyard of The Historic Y.
10 reasons to sign up for the summer Tucson CSA

1. Eat freshly picked pesticide free vegetables
2. Boost your healthy quotient
3. Support local sustainable farming (from Glendale, AZ)
4. Be part of a community of like minded people
5. Experiment with new recipes and cook creatively
6. Learn to like vegetables you never ate before
7. Learn to love new vegetables you never heard of before (tatsoi, anyone?)
8. Have the  opportunity to buy a limited supply of locally sourced grass fed pork, goat cheese, eggs
9. Be kinder to your environment
10. Have fun and break your eating routine

To be realistic, there are some “cons”.  They are:

• Every week or every other week, you have to drive to the Historic Y to pick up your share. (I personally don’t find it as a negative because it gets me out of the house and sometimes I meet friends on 4th Avenue for drinks or dinner.)
• A big con is if you’re a picky eater or you live with a picky eater who says, “Yech, what’s this?” then the CSA concept is not for you.

Tucson CSA is now accepting new members for the summer session. They also need volunteers to help on pick up days.

Any questions?

(Photo: This was my pickup for May 19 – 2 grapefruit, choice of a bag of Yukon gold potatoes or red LaSoda potatoes; Grand Canyon sweet onions, summer squash, wheat berries (I look forward to experimenting), winter bore kale, choice of baby artichokes or green onions, and salad mix).

Organic farming for youth

Marana: The Youth Farm Project housed at the Community Food Bank’s Marana Heritage Farm is now taking applications for the Spring 2010 Youth Apprentice Program. Young people ages 15 to 20 will be paid a stipend to work and learn at the farm on Saturdays for 15 weeks beginning February 6 thru May 15, 2010, with a Saturday off every 5 weeks (a total of 2 Saturdays off).

Successful applicants will be young people who express interest in learning about farming and food systems, are able to work well with others, and demonstrate strong motivation and work ethic.

Apprentices and the crew leaders work 6 to 8 hours each Saturday.  Work will begin at 8 a.m. each Saturday; as outside temperatures increase, work will begin earlier.  Apprentices and crew leaders are responsible for their own transportation and will be paid a stipend on the completion of the program.

The Marana Heritage Farm is located at 12375 Heritage Park Drive in Marana, Arizona.  It is a 10-acre organically managed vegetable farm and is a program of the Community Food Bank’s Community Food Resource Center (CFRC).  The Farm is in its third growing season and is dedicated to producing fresh, organically grown food, while fulfilling the CFRC’s vision of “improving community food security for the people of Pima County by promoting, demonstrating, advocating for and collaboratively building an equitable and regional food system, which supports food production and strengthens communities.”

For information on the Youth Farm Project Apprentice Program or to request an application contact Shanti Sellz, Youth Garden Coordinator at (520) 873-7401 or or visit the web page.

What a wonderful opportunity for young people interested in farming especially organic farming.