CULLMAN – Not so long ago backyard gardens were the norm in Cullman. Some tomato and okra plants, a few corn stalks, along with makeshift chicken coops dotted the landscapes in the city. Neighbors would share in each other’s bounty and families ate fresh vegetables from their harvests.
Times have changed, and although a renewed interest is being shown in small home gardens, busy lives mean that convenience has become king. Many long for the taste of a Cullman-grown tomato with mayo sandwich or wish to have access to fresh from the garden flavor that simply is a rarity in supermarkets.
What if it didn’t have to be that way?
With Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), families have weekly, fresh from the farm produce, grown in Cullman, available for sixteen weeks out of the year. Consumers buy a share of a local farm’s harvest and receive weekly distributions as a result.
Local farmer, Trent Boyd, of Harvest Farm shared, “We decided to have a CSA to directly service our Cullman customers, but we also have CSA members in Birmingham. Our members get the very best of what we grow. We also grow certain vegetables only for the CSA. The CSA is a way for our customers to invest in our farm; in return they receive the best from our crops.”
Early season delivery boxes include portions of strawberries, greens and lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. Later in the season, members will see crops including heirloom tomatoes, beans, okra, corn, squash, potatoes and zucchini.
Harvest Farm CSA offers members a ½ bushel of varied produce, depending on what’s in season, each week for pick up at Cullman Civic Center’s parking lot each Friday morning beginning the first week in May. Deliveries can be made to any downtown business in Cullman on Friday mornings as well.
By growing their non-GMO crops with a goal of self-sustainability, Harvest Farm offers their members the peace of mind of knowing how and where their food is grown in addition to knowing their farmer. With visits to the farm encouraged, members are granted access that isn’t possible with crops that are grown in other states and regions.
Memberships are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. They can be paid in full for $540 or split into four payments of $140. By providing full payment up front, members save $20.
The CSA isn’t the only way to enjoy in the Harvest Farm bounty. Their crops are available at the Cullman Farmer’s Market- Festhalle, which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information, drop by and talk to the Boyds at the market or email them at tjboydfamily@bellsouth.net. Find them on Facebook at http://qrne.ws/csa.
