PLEASE NOTE: Most of the information on this page is mostly a reiteration of the opening page, with slightly more detail.
New Moon's CSA these days is quite different than it has been in the past because I am now working with a network
of small local farm, not just myself. In 2010, out of necessity, I had to tap into the local farming community to
fulfill my obligations to my CSA members. That cooperative effort worked out so well that I plan to continue doing so for the
foreseeable future.
During the first year of this farm cooperative CSA, I was astounded by the quality and variety of items
that the folks in Lincoln County, my county, were producing and have been nothing but pleased by that happy circumstance.
Not only have I been able to procure excellent vegetables, there has also been an array of fruit available. I was so impressed with
what I had access to, I decided to build on that and continue taking this cooperative CSA forward.
Plus, I have had the opportunity to meet some really nice folks along the way. Helping them to have a regular outlet for their
produce has been rewarding all around. There are about eighteen different producers now providing for CSA during our growing season.
Another thing that just amazed me was the number of farmers I work with who grow heirloom varieties. Tomatoes in particular
have been a happy surprise. Cherokee Purples, German Johnson, Mr. Stripey, Mortgage Lifter and several other old time varieties
were available last summer and I expect them again in 2012. One of our growers is planning on having asparagus and mushrooms in the spring, as well
as salad greens, spinach, carrots and beets. Okra, green beans, field peas, peppers, melons, cukes, corn and
much more continue throughout the summer months. Once it cools off a bit, in September, sweet potatoes, winter squash, greens and other
cooler weather varieties began to appear, in conjunction with the peaking apple season.
Around here, berry season begins in late June and continues into August. Last
year was an outstanding one for peaches. We had them in abundance from late June into September and are confident that
will be the case again in 2012. If Mother Nature cooperates we will also see local nectarines and
melons in mid-to-late summer. Muscadines and scuppernongs started to come in in August and
they were as good last year as I have ever had. Hopefully, 2012 will again be a bang up year for
the fruit growers in our area.
Lincoln County is one of the 5 apple producing counties in North Carolina and peak for that season is August through
Thanksgiving, with some varieties readily available at Christmas and beyond. I even found several orchards growing Asian pears,
throughout the same season as the apples. Wild persimmons, pears and other fruits are on my list of things to locate
for 2012. Local organic fruit has become my holy grail of local food, but in this area, I have been able to only locate one source and he
is such a small producer I can't guarantee I will be able to get anything from him but there is always the possibility.
I will continue my quest but, in the meantime, I do believe I have found the next best thing in the fruit producers I have located!
Nearly everything that New Moon CSA provides for members is grown by low input or no spray growers and while not organic,
I am happy with the quality and the methods used by these partnering farms. And there are at least
two organic growers in the collective. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge proponent of all things organic,
having been a certified organic grower myself for many years. Unfortunately, there are just not that many truly organic growers located in
this part of N.C. and so I have to be realistic about that since I am not growing everything I am providing for CSA.
Local and sustainable is our best food resource at this time and so that has
become the focus of this CSA. Even when I was a certified organic grower myself, I was still a consumer and as I have always said,
if what I have to choose from is trucked in, factory farmed organic versus just fresh and locally grown, I will
choose the local farmer's product, hands down every time.
My own growing operation continues to be in transition. In 2012 I will be growing herbs and producing some other specialty
items but the core of CSA shares will continue to come from other farms. For the foreseeable future, I will be working with these partner farms, all of which
are located within about a 20 mile radius of my location, to provide each week's contents. Having this pool of growers to work from allows me to offer CSA members
a wide variety and an ample share each week.
So, with that said, let me reiterate a couple of key points. CSA will no longer be 100% organic, although I will provide as much organic produce as I am able to.
People who know me know that I am probably one of the most “organic” people around. But, as I previously stated, I will take local, even conventionally grown,
produce over store bought, trucked in organic most any day of the week. Keeping your food dollars in your
local economy not only helps your farm neighbors and their families, it helps strengthen your community.
By belonging to a CSA and getting high quality produce that didn't travel 2500 miles from a faceless corporate
farm, you are making a true green statement.
Participation in a CSA, unlike a buying club, requires no additional membership fees.
Any funds paid for a share goes totally to the cost of the food. Pricing of a CSA membership
will depend on the level of participation that the individual member chooses. Fruits, meats, baked goods, soaps and other add-ons will be occasionally be available for those
who want to expand their share. My goal is to offer everyone as diverse a CSA experience as I can provide for them.
I will begin taking reservations for 2012 CSA season starting in January 2012. As always, there is a set
number of shares available and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
Check out more specific details by reading the Application/Agreement.
All information on this website is property of New Moon Farm and Suzanne R. Ballard
Copyright 2010
