What We Do

Since 2000, New Moon has operated a CSA. Originally New Moon was the sole supplier of goods for CSA but in 2010, my circumstances changed dramatically. That included the CSA. These days it is no longer just one farm, but a farm collective CSA. For the past two summers, I have partnered with a group of local farmers to provide for our members. The idea of a cooperative CSA was born out of necessity and now it has become something wonderfully positive for everyone involved. I am continually astounded by the quality and variety of items that our partner farms produce and have been nothing but pleased.

About the Produce

Many of the items I get for CSA come from low or no spray growers and while not actually "organic", I am satisfied with the quality and the methods of these partnering farms. New Moon was a certified organic farm for a decade and it is something very important to me but I am also a realistist. I know that there are very few truly organic growers in this area so my focus for CSA is on fresh, local and seasonal. I always look for the highest high quality, produced with a minimum of inputs and emphasis on sustainability.

While it is nearly impossible to say exactly what will be in each week's share, you can get an idea from our Seasonal Availability Chart. Spring here is always a weather roller coaster, so it is very hard to say what will be ready to harvest and when but we have a farm that grows asparagus, shitake and other kinds of mushrooms, spring greens, spinach, carrots and beets. I hope to be growing spinach, lettuces, snap peas and chard for spring and will have herbs in the summer. Of course, as any farming venture, nothing is chiseled in stone but my 12+ years of doing CSA give me a pretty good idea of what to expect and when.

There are several of the partner farms that do use organic methods and I try to use them as often possible. That it is not always feasible since these growers generally produce more specialized crops. I also try to obtain heirlooms any time they are available. There are a number of farmers that I work with who are growing a wide variety of true heirloom varieties, especially tomatoes. Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Mr. Stripey, Mortgage Lifter and several others were available throughout the summer in 2012, as well as Roma and cherry varieties. I fully expect that to be the case in 2012.

Summer season usually begins in mid-June. Summer items include summer squash, cucumbers, okra, corn, green beans, field peas, sweet peppers, and loads of other varieties. In our climate, a lot of those things continue well into September. Harvests are always subject to weather conditions, but last year saw many summer crops still available well into October, alongside fall crops liks sweet potatoes, winter squash, greens and other cooler weather varieties. The arrival of fall veggies also happily coincides with our peak apple season. Over the course of the seasons, this region provides an abundance of varieties and New Moon CSA takes full advantage of that happy circumstance.

Not only am I able to procure some most excellent vegetables, there has generally been a nice array of fruit available. Berry season lasts in this region from late June until early September. Peaches are available from late June until early September. Lincoln county has several of the best peach orchards in the state and for the last two years the summer peaches have been amazing. Nectarines, cantaloupes and watermelons come in around the first of July and last for several months. Around the end of August, it is time for muscadines and scuppernongs to start to come in, although their season is quite short compared to other fruits. Lincoln County is one of the top 5 apple producing counties in North Carolina and that season lasts from late July until Christmas. We even have Asian pears in the fall. Since local organic fruit is the stuff of dreams in this area, I believe we have the next best thing here in our county...a wide variety over a long season.

A basic CSA share includes only vegetables, with seasonal fruit added when it is in abundance, but fruit is not something guaranteed every week. Occasionally we have eggs and other products offered as they are available and are not part of the regular CSA share. However, several times a season, I do sponsor a "bulk" day when members can opt to get fruits or veggies in larger quantities to can, freeze or just to have on hand, especially when blueberries, peaches and apples are in abundance. Members are always welcome to add extra items to their weekly share, at any time throughout the season, at whatever the going price is at that time.

I am also going to be offering a "Fruit Only" share for the first time this year. It will be available as a stand alone share or added to a basic membership at a reduced cost. Details on that will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks.

About the Farmers

Several of the farmers I worked with these last two years voiced the opinion that getting their products to a farmer's market was a hardship. More pressure from competition in the market place, the time away from the farm actually going to a market, the uncertainty of sales at markets and waste of unsold perishables are all things that are addressed by New Moon CSA's distribution of their produce. That is a great thing for everyone involved. It means that no only are members getting a superior product from these people, they are helping to support friends and neighbors and allow them to continue to work close to their land. North Carolina is losing farmland at a fast pace and anything that helps keep a family farm going can only be a good thing.

Other Stuff...
Member share pick up location is specified at the beginning of CSA and unless another arrangement is made, the location remains the same for the life of the share. There are two pick up locations under my operation, at the Davidson Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 8am until noonish and in Lincolnton at the Downtown Farmer's Market on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 8am until 11am. It is not published on the agreement but we accept PayPal for credit card payments. The Charlotte pick up is under the direction of Alison Holmes and you can contact here at the link below for specifics for that location.

In addition to our CSA, New Moon will also have plants and other farm produced items for sale throughout the season at our farmer's market locations in Davidson and Lincolnton. Click the button below for specific questions not answered here or for general information and/or details about pick up at Davidson or Lincolnton.
For information on Davidson or Lincolnton or for general questions, click here to contact Suzanne.
For information on Charlotte pick location, click here to contact Alison.