There has been a new model in the selling of produce developed in recent years, called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), but until recently, our area has been left out of the farm-fresh program. Grant Fineran of Denison, grew up on a corn/soybean farm and learned how to operate this type of business from a farm he worked on in Pennsylvania. When he returned home to Iowa, he worked for other farmers, but realized that he didn’t want to do that type of work for the rest of his life. This led him to open his own business, Buffalo Creek Farm, on his family’s farm two years ago. He explains what CSA is.
Participants sign up to receive a box of fresh, locally-grown produce each week. The season runs from June through October and Fineran says the items are not technically organic, but are naturally grown.
Fineran’s boxes include everything from asparagus to zuchinni throughout the 20-week season. There are options for a one-to-two person box up to a five-person or more box and delivery to Carroll will be added this year.
For an additional $1 charge, Fineran will deliver the boxes to those unable to get to the pick-up points. Buffalo Creek Farm has grown from about 30 members in the Denison area to between 65 to 75 members this year between Denison and Carroll. For people interested in learning more about CSAs, the produce that will be provided and Buffalo Creek Farm, they will get the opportunity to meet the grower at an upcoming event.
Fineran advises potential customers that with CSAs, they need to look into their diet. There is a lot of produce in the boxes and in order to manage and eat it all, they need to plan meals ahead to be able to use those items that don’t keep as long as others. Anyone interested in being invited to the June event or in getting more information can contact Fineran through his Facebook page or by email through the links included below. Pricing is also included with that information.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buffcreekfarm/
Email: buffcreekfarm@gmail.com
Pricing:
1-2 person box @ 19.50/week=$390/season
2-4 person box @ $23.50/week=$470/season
5-up person box @ $26.00/week=$520/season
