Drive a CSA in the USA

 

When that rooster crows at the break of dawn, 
Look out your window and I’ll be gone.
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright, Bob Dylan

One day, about 18 years ago, Pam Steegall, tired of driving a desk, decided she’d had enough of corporate America. So, she and her husband, Paul Roberts, did what many dream about, but few attempt - they purchased a farm in the northernmost, eastern corner of Maryland in the town of Rising Sun, half a mile south of Pennsylvania and 11 miles due west of Delaware.

The R2K Grand Caravan pulled up to their 17+ acre homestead last Monday afternoon after two days holed up in a very sketch West Philly neighborhood. It was an incredibly generous display of hospitality to invite sixty wandering souls to spend the night, but then like Blanche Debois in A Streetcar Named Desire, we've always relied on the kindness of strangers.

Calvert Farm is one of a growing number of CSA's, short for Community-Supported Agriculture, an alternative food network, essentially a cooperative partnership between farmers and groups of consumers who fully fund the growing operation in return for a share of the harvest. Families and individuals receive one (sometimes two) boxes of assorted produce each week during the growing season. In the case of Pam and Paul's operation, the subscription runs for 20 weeks, with a 7 week fall extension and ends up costing $25 per box. The concept was brought to North America in 1984 by Jan VanderTuin, having solidly taken root in Germany, Switzerland and Japan in the 1960's, in response to concerns about food safety and the urbanization of agricultural land.

In the morning, after breakfast and seeing off the marchers, the entire SLR crew took off to find a reliable wifi hot spot and to take care of some vehicle maintenance. Everyone, that is, but me. I had my own agenda, not the least of which was some needed rest and relaxation - my sleep deficit approaching that of the national debt. During the duration of the R2K March, wake-up time has been 6:45 AM every each and every day and I have volunteered numerous times to be the morning alarm clock for the entire contingent. As one might suspect, this is not the best way to make friends. Beginning back at the Churchville Nature Center, though, I brought into play a concertina, playing a bagpipe-like modal melody. That's round one. In round two, I pick up the pace and bang a drum. After that, I duck.

Before taking a noon-time siesta, however, I got to observe the everyday workings of the farm. In order to create sufficient supply for the demand of their CSA collective, Pam and Paul draw cooperation and assistance from the Amish community, contracting with growers on satellite farms to plant specific crops and hiring workers to help with harvest-related activities. This morning several Amish folk - four teenage girls and two elder woman in tradition dress and bonnet - bagged, counted, weighed and filled boxes with sweet potatoes, winter squash, lettuce, peppers, cilantro and onions. After fulfillment is completed, the boxes are loaded into trucks and vans for delivery to pickup locations. 

Oh, and did I mention? Calvert Farm has been certified organic from day one. So, if anyone has any doubts as to whether sustainable farming methods can be utilized to feed the multitudes, you may safely put them to rest.

Zzzzzzzzz...