Fall Veggie Shares are now available through the MSU Student Organic Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program. The season runs from Aug. 26 through Dec. 16 and provides members with a wide assortment of fresh, organic produce, available through a no-contact pick-up both on campus and at the farm, just south of campus. CSA members can also select the option of adding to their share weekly eggs provided by an alumnus of the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program.
Members of the fall CSA can expect the season to start off with an abundance of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, summer squash and zucchini, cucumbers. As the weather cools these crops phase out and are replaced by garlic, winter squash, kohlrabi, daikon and other radishes, brussels sprouts, leeks, spinach and other greens. Throughout the season, shares will also include favorites like salad greens, fresh herbs, broccoli, carrots, beets, onions and different kinds of cabbage.
Keeping the community safe and well-nourished is something that the student crew and staff of the Student Organic Farm take very seriously. In 2020, additional protocols were put in place to minimize risk of transmission of COVID-19. This included launching an online store, which offers fresh seasonal produce, as well as organic eggs, pasture raised meat products, and honey from local hives through the Michigan Pollinator Institute.
Anyone can purchase items from the online store throughout the year, but it is the CSA memberships that are critical to keeping the Student Organic Farm alive. Like most small organic farms, it depends on the funds provided by the CSA to make purchases of seeds and supplies, make repairs and compensate their workers. Additionally, it is the financial heart that allows the farm to continue to offer transformational educational opportunities and support research.
To learn more and to sign up for the MSU Student Organic Farm fall CSA, visit msuorganicfarm.org/csa.
The MSU Student Organic Farm was started in 1999 by a group of MSU students to provide a place where students could come and volunteer, work, visit, and have input on the development of the land and farm. Through the vision and hard work of many, the farm continues to flourish and evolve. Over the years the farm has developed into a place where many different groups can engage with growing food and experiential learning opportunities through farming.