A Series Written and Published by Brix Bounty Farm Throughout the Winter 2010/2011
(“10 Reasons Why” Series Archive)

Reason #1 – Value:  More For Your Money Reducing Transportation Costs
by Steve Murray

One of the most talked about parts of CSA programs (Community Supported Agriculture) is the amount of vegetables shareholders (also known as members) get each season. Most people find that they receive more produce and of better quality then they could possibly buy for an equal exchange of money at a market. Essentially what this boils down to is Value – more for your money. A closer inspection of CSA programs, and more specific CSA programs run by biological farmers, bring about the reasons for this great Value.

We live in a world where the average piece of produce travels over a fifteen hundred miles from farm to grocery store. Just like anything else, it cost money for food to travel such distances, frequently called food miles. Generally speaking, CSA shareholders are located much closer to the source of produce, therefore drastically or totally eliminating transportation cost. Another added benefit of not having your produce shipped long distances is that they can be picked at peak quality and nutrition, last longer and taste much fresher. Most of the produce that you will be receiving through the Brix Bounty CSA will be picked the day of your pick-up, that’s fresh.

Another aspect that lowers the cost of our produce is the stability of our market. By joining our CSA you are providing us a stable market for our produce, reducing the need to find markets and ensuring that our financial well being. Having a home for our produce lets us focus on growing quality produce, increasing yields and passing the bounty on to the shareholders.

Yet another aspect that lowers the cost and increases the Value is that we are biological farmers. We focus on feeding the soil, correcting nutrient imbalances and applying sustainable soil nutrition. By focusing on creating a healthy environment we can reduce our long term fertilizer inputs and totally abstain from using herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. Those elements reduce our production costs, grow higher quality produce and increase the health of our environment.

For those focused on getting more for their money, CSA’s can really pay off. Not only do they provide fresh nutritious vegetables, they can typically provide them at very competitive prices.

• In the weeks ahead we will continue our late fall fieldwork in the fields; applying biodynamic preparations (specialized versions of compost teas) and field fertility sprays.  Each day brings new growth to our soils as we continue to build the vibrant soil life necessary to produce nutritious, nutrient dense crops.

• Steve Murray, formerly of Kettle Pond Farm, has joined the Brix Bounty Farm team for the 2011 season.  Steve has been growing organic veggies on the Southcoast for the past 4 seasons and brings tremendous knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to our crew.

• We are just putting the finishing touches on next year’s crop plans and are looking forward to our 2nd season offering a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program.  NEW FOR 2011 – Full & Partial Size CSA Shares Available. In addition to the CSA, we’ll once again join other growers at the Wing’s Court Market in downtown New Bedford, and our popular roadside stand will return in May 2011 and will be open through Thanksgiving.  For more information on our 2011 CSA please visit our website.

We plan on offering a limited number of Wintertime CSA Shares beginning Nov 2011 through Feb 2012.  Please note, wintertime shares will initially be limited to 2011 CSA members.

We are growing in 2010, figuratively and literally…

Katie and I are looking forward to the arrival of our first child in early May.

We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our production in 2010, by leasing additional acreage down the road at the King Farm.  In anticipation of the earlier start to our transplanting season, we have already started a few of our spring crops in the greenhouse.  And the next round of our mini-apprenticeships start today!

This increased acreage, which is much better drained than our home farm, will allow us to start a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program this June.  The Sign-up period for the CSA program is now underway.  You can find more information by visiting our CSA page.

Red Ace Beets, in the GH, Feb. 2010

Alliums in the GH, Brix Bounty Farm Feb. 2010

Our 2010 growing season is officially underway, with an early seeding of onions and scallions, having germinated and started their growth…