Maryland Department of Agriculture issued the following announcement on March 13.
Marylanders are encouraged to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm this year to help support local farmers while also receiving fresh produce all summer long. Members pay an upfront subscription fee to farmers in return for a share of the season’s harvest, which is usually provided weekly. For convenience, many CSA farms deliver to central locations for pickup that is closer to members’ homes or work on a certain day of the week. Other CSA farms have special rates if the member helps with the harvest.
“Community Supported Agriculture farms are another way for residents to buy in-season, locally grown food directly from a farmer,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in learning everything about where their food comes from. CSAs are a great way to establish a relationship between farmers and consumers while supporting our rural communities.”
According to the USDA’s most recent agricultural census, there are 12,549 farms in the United States marketing their products through Community Supported Agriculture, including 119 in Maryland.
Memberships typically fill up quickly. Check out CSA farm listings to see which arrangement, pricing, variety of products, and pick-up locations will work best for your family and register now to reserve your spot. To find a participating farm near you, go to www.MarylandsBest.net.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture
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