Sign Up Now for Farm-Fresh Local Produce through Community Supported Agriculture Farms

Summer Subscriptions Now Available

Photo: Edwin Remsberg

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Marylanders are encouraged to join a Community Supported Agriculture farm this year to support local farmers while receiving fresh produce all summer long. Members pay an upfront subscription fee to farmers in return for a share of the season’s harvest, which is usually provided weekly. For convenience, many Community Supported Ag farms deliver to central locations for pickup closer to subscriber’s home or work on a certain day of the week—others have special rates if the subscriber helps with the harvest on the farm.

“Community Supported Agriculture farms are another way for residents to buy fresh, local food directly from a farmer,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “This is a great time of year to join a program and enjoy a summer full of fresh Maryland produce. By purchasing local food, consumers are helping to keep land in farming rather than development.”

According to the most recent agricultural census completed in 2012 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, there are 12,549 farms in the United States marketing their products through Community Supported Agriculture, including 119 in Maryland.

Memberships typically fill up fast. Check out the Community Shared Agriculture listings to see which arrangement, pricing, variety of products, and pick-up location will work best for your family and act now to reserve your spot. To find a participating farm near you, go to www.MarylandsBest.net.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following link is to a short video featuring a Maryland CSA: Even Star Organic Farm, A CSA in St. Mary’s County – http://youtu.be/R6IOUVHytOM

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept