Kara Fitzgerald tends to tomatoes - about 20 different varieties - in the greenhouse at Journey's End Farm. (Photo by Susan Koomar)

by Susan Koomar

Pike County Press Correspondent

AREA – Anyone who loves fresh local produce can reap the bounty and get to know a farmer – without lifting a shovel – through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

The cost is about $250 for a half-share or $400 for a full-share, which entitles a share-holder to a weekly box, bag or basket of seasonal food.

“It’s a way people can pledge support to a farm and develop a relationship there,” said Ryan Wood-Beauchamp of Journey’s End Farm in Newfoundland, Wayne County (just over the Pike border). Share-holders also assume the risks of farming – poor harvests due to weather or pests.

This is the first year that Journey’s End has offered a CSA program. Wood-Beauchamp and Kara Fitzgerald, both 24 years old, worked on farms in Vermont where CSA is widespread. Journey’s End also offers a camp program for youngsters. Fitzgerald first came to the farm as a camper and then a camp counselor.

“It sort of changes your life. It’s a whole different lifestyle,” she said. “The thing most new to me was how nice people are to each other and how fun it was to be doing work.”

Now the pair is lovingly tending eight garden plots totaling about one acre. Thirty-four families come every Tuesday for 20 weeks to collect whatever has been picked from the fields and greenhouse. The season began with leafy greens and radishes. Green beans and peas are ripening and tomatoes will soon be ready to pick.

Wood-Beauchamp said the CSA arrangement may well be a better value for veggie-loving customers who find farmer’s market or farm stand items pricey.

“One of the interesting things we found is that it puts people at ease to pay up front and receive things rather than pay for each individual thing,” he said. “It removes a little bit of the relationship between food and money.”

Fitzgerald added, “It’s a lot more enjoyable for those of us who enjoy food and growing food.”

Some share-holders are overwhelmed by the amount of food they’re getting. They may also be mystified by what to do with vegetables they never heard of, let alone eaten. The turnip-like kohlrabi is one example. Another one is leafy Japanese mizuna, a type of greens found in pre-packaged grocery store salad mixes. Journey’s End farmers offer recipes on a blog to help bewildered share-holders enjoy the harvest.

“People come and get a basket of what we choose for them. For some people, it’s really exciting. For others, it’s weird. They say ‘I don’t know what to do with this,” said Wood-Beauchamp.

The farmers are on a mission to introduce people to seasonal eating and the enjoyment of “fresh foods that haven’t traveled many miles.” No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used at the farm.

“It’s been really fun just to get the idea out there. There’s an excitement that’s beyond food,” said Fitzgerald.

The farmers plan to hold a canning workshop this fall and host a harvest day celebration for share-holders.

“We hope to do a lot more than just provide people with food,” said Fitzgerald.