Our CSA experience

CSA is “community supported agriculture”. This is the farm where you can buy a seasonal share and you get fresh produce every week and you can buy other things as well such as lamb, chicken, turkey, honey, eggs, sorghum, popcorn etc. A lot of times CSAs are based out of Farmer’s Markets but this one is just this farm.

Yesterday was our first pick up. They have people from Emporia, Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence etc that are share holders. Most of the cities have a pick up spot in town. One of the share holders volunteers to bring all the food in to town and then people pick it up. I told Farmer John that I would like to come to the farm to pick it up. I just think it is a great experience for the kids to see the food growing and get a more hands on experience. My mom split my share with me so her and dad came out with me and the kids.

It is about 5 miles west of Americus. It is a beautiful drive! It is about 3 miles away from Kahola, so it has those beautiful green rocky hills. Really nice drive. So we get there and I am hoping we can at least look around, but I didn’t want to put them out. But they offered right away to show us around which is great. It is a husband and wife team and they are the nicest people.

The first thing they showed us was the large garden area. They showed the kids all the plants and what they were, what they were doing to help them grow. They are passionate about organic farming and humane treatment of all the animals. It was really cool. No chemicals are used. I loved the kids seeing produce growing that they would later be eating! What a connection for them to make.

Next were the chickens. They have probably 5 or 6 or so chicken “tents”. I don’t know what they are really called but they are open air tent looking things. The bottom is open so the chicks eat the grass below. They move each tent twice a day so that the chickens have fresh grass to eat and so that they are moved off their own manure. They have lots of room to move around and you can tell those chickens are loved! They talked about since they get so much fresh grass to eat, their eggs and meat are much higher in Omega 3s and other nutrients than store bought stuff. They had some chicks that were a couple of weeks old and some meat chickens and “layers”.

Next was the fruit orchard. They have several fruit trees and several blackberry plants. The blackberry plants looked scrawny, but he says once they bloom, they will get “bucketfuls” of blackberries!

Next was the barn area. We walked right in to the outside part and there were a lot of sheep and lambs running around. The lambs were 2 months old and adorable! Some twin lambs ran up to nurse from mom and the farmer talked to the kids about how lambs get their milk from mom (of course, my kiddos already know that! Ha!) but it was neat to see it up close. I have been in plenty of petting zoos with sheep, but it was neat to see them in this environment. The farmer showed the kids how thick their wool is and they will sheer that later. They got to stick their hands down in the deep wool and got to pet the sheep and lambs.

Next we walked by the “processing area”. Gavin didn’t quite know what that meant, so he was asking a lot of questions. Farmer John explained it very well about how he helps turn the animals into food so that we can all eat. I talked with Gavin about the respect that we give the animals since they help provide us food. I just loved it! I don’t think the kids will look a chicken breast the same way ever again!

We walked back to behind the farm right next to Kahola creek. Gorgeous creek. They have several bee hives. Gavin asked what they were doing to “help the bees”. I was beaming with pride that Gavin was discussing this with him. Farmer John explained to Gavin what they are doing to help and that by not using chemicals on his farm, he is helping the bees not die. They also well help move hives from other people’s personal property so that they hive is not destroyed. They sell honey and bee pollen as well.

Next was this wooded area where he was put all kinds of fun things! There is a tree house that is *three stories above the ground*. With a skinny ladder going up! Farmer John asked Gavin if he wanted to go up and Gavin was like, “sure” and headed right up! (with farmer john close behind). I thought I may have a panic attack. But he did great! Next was a log that you have to walk across while holding on to a rope. There was a big tire swing that went so high it scared Gavin! Also a fire pit. Farmer John says that shareholders often time camp out there.

He also said that shareholders can work on the farm for part of their share. In fact, a family from Manhattan had work all day at the farm. I think Gavin would live out there if I let him!

We picked up our produce which was romaine lettuce, red sail lettuce and rhubarb. Gavin wanted to start eating the lettuce straight out of the bag, but I had to tell him we had to clean it first! The kids and I talked all the way home about what different ways we could use this produce. The farmer’s wife also gave us a sample of two dozen eggs. They are all different shades of speckled brown (one green one) and just beautiful! I may start to get those weekly when I go out as well.

It was just more of an experience then I could have ever have hoped. I love the kids getting this experience and I think it will be great for them.

Anyway, I thought you may be interested in this story. It was so much fun!

And no, I didn't get any pictures! Will try to do so next time!