Madison County CSA’s are Supplying Their Fair Share of Farm Fresh Products!

The fields are being plowed and the first seeds of the season are being planted. If you’re looking for an alternative method for buying locally-produced foods, look no further than the Madison County CSA’s. Over the past decade, Madison County has witnessed a growth in farms that market their products directly to consumers through offering memberships, also known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). By participating in a CSA, the consumer pays a membership fee at the beginning of the season in exchange for a weekly share of the farm’s harvest. Madison County has 7 CSAs to choose from!

Each CSA is unique and works a little differently – some include fruit, meat, and other locally-grown and processed products – others include pick your own crops, online ordering and feature on-farm events for the whole family. Stone Brothers Farm & Greenhouse, a CSA in their third year, provides members with hydroponically grown fresh vegetables during the colder months – including the earliest strawberries of the season! Side Hill Farmers, is taking orders online for their meat CSA and then delivering each month’s share to a restaurant near you!

Being part of a CSA is a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Children can learn about how healthy fruits and vegetables are grown and work with their parents to cook and taste new recipes. At Lucky Moon Farm CSA, you can even get a glimpse of how solar panels are helping farmers to reduce their energy costs.

To learn more about a CSA near you, please contact the farms below, or check out www.madisoncountyagriculture.com for a complete listing of the farms’ offerings.

If you are interested in other ways to support local farms, Madison County has several farmers’ markets around the county. The Village of Hamilton Farmers’ Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 4^th. The hours of operation are Saturdays from 8am-1pm. Cazenovia Farmers’ Market begins on Saturday, May 11^th and is opened Saturday’s from 9am-4pm. The Town of Lenox Famers’ Market begins later in the season on July 13^th and is opened Saturday’s from 9am-2pm and the Oneida Farmers’ Market runs from Thursday, June 6^th and the hours of operation are Thursdays from 10-3pm.

More information on where to find locally-grown products can be found at www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.