Princeton Happenings

Even though March has only just arrived, the first thoughts of spring are starting to creep in. As spring approaches I start to think about warm days out at the Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday morning and seeing our friends at Maple Springs Farms. Jena and I have, for the last couple of years, have been getting fresh fruits, vegetables and more from Mark Hiedmann, the owner and farmer at Maple Springs farm as part of a CSA that we purchase each yeah.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and is program that one can participate in by prepaying at the beginning of the season in order to get discounted produce though out the growing season. For example, one could provide a $300 payment at this time of year to the grower of your choice and when their crops are ready that $300 will become credit that you may use at that grower in exchange for produce. Farmers get money early in the season in order to get their crops up and running and then the supporters get the same dollar amount in amazing fresh produce. Usually, there is also an additional discount for CSA share holders as well, so that $300 will go even further that it would if you just came to the Farmer’s Market with cash. It’s terrific to be able to just go to the market and grab what you need without opening your wallet.

This is a great program that allows growers and consumers to meet and interact, so that each learns from the other about the product, how it’s grown and ways it is best used. You can pick up a lot of ideas from just a short conversation with a farmer.

Check out the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association website at the link below for more info about CSA’s and finding a grower near you!

http://www.mofga.net/Directories/CommunitySupportedAgricultureinMaine/tabid/268/Default.aspx