Direct from Our Members: Why They Joined Our CSA!

In our previous post, Top Seven Reasons to Join Our CSA, we gave you our top reasons to join this season's CSA.  Now, it's time to hear directly from some of our members on why they joined! 

"I'm so looking forward to my fresh, healthy, locally grown veggies.  Since I no longer do my own garden, this is the next best thing." -Darinda

"This will be my first experience with a CSA. There is nothing like fresh, local, "home grown" veggies! I am happy for the opportunity to support a farm located in my summertime home town of Cheboygan.  My grandparents lived in Cheboygan, where my dad grew up. I remember my grandmother going to a local farm for fresh corn and eggs when we came to visit every summer when we were little." -Darcy 

"We live in a senior apartment building and are no longer able to have a garden.  We desire to eat food that is grown without all the pesticides and chemicals and eggs that come from chickens that aren't spending their life in a small cage and being injected with hormones and other things that are bad for our health. We've been wondering how we were going to be able to do this when we learned about CSA farms. Much to our amazement we discovered there were some in our area." -Rudy

"I joined the CSA program almost on a whim, it was in my Facebook newsfeed and it's something I have wanted to do for a while but didn't think this was available in Cheboygan. I love fresh vegetables, and am hoping that my share will have things I have never tried before!" - Jessica

"We joined the CSA as we have been eating better and focusing on "real food." We are excited to know exactly where our food is coming from and how it is farmed. And the prices are great!!" -Erin

"I think that knowing where and from whom food comes from is so valuable today. Joining the Harvest Thyme Farm CSA means that my three small children can benefit from knowing who grew the tomatoes on our table and raised the chickens for our eggs. And it is very fresh and exciting to have the opportunity to directly support talented members of this community in their agricultural successes right here at home." -Amber

"There is nothing better than homegrown fruits and vegetables. I loved the idea of being able to get them on a weekly basis and support my local community! I am beyond excited to have a CSA here in Cheboygan. " -Leslie

"I joined because I wanted to support a local business and be forced to try new things.  I am not the most adventurous cook, but when you give me things I wouldn't necessarily buy on my own, I'll have to figure something out! Also, I know it will be good quality." -Lisa

"We joined the CSA because we wanted to know where my produce is coming from and how it's grown. We participated in a CSA downstate and loved it. We were excited to see one here in Cheboygan." -Rick

"I decided to purchase a CSA share because I love fresh produce but don't have the time or room to garden. Getting to the farmers market every week in the summer in order to buy local has always been hit or miss for me. A CSA share will allow me to buy locally grown healthy produce and get it on a regular schedule every week without worrying I'll miss the good stuff at the market. I'm also excited to try produce we don't normally buy and eat a bigger variety of foods."  -Christine

"I joined your CSA, because I believe getting food from as close to the earth as possible is the best for body and soul." -Brianne 

It's great to see that our CSA is reaching such a broad range of people within our community!  Seems like everyone wants fresh, healthy, local produce and we're excited to be a part of the solution!

If you're considering joining our CSA or would like more information, please check out our website to reserve your share before we're sold out for the season!  

Top 7 Reasons to Join Our CSA!

1. Know the Source of Your Food

Ever wonder if the vendors at the farmers’ market are totally honest about their growing practices? Aside from always having direct access to us for any questions you may have, we offer our CSA members the opportunity visit the farm and tour the growing areas. So, when we say we grow 100% of the produce we sell and all of it is grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, you can come out and see for yourself! Now that’s transparency!


2. Support your Local Food Economy

Becoming a CSA member means you’ve committed to supporting a local farm and keeping your food dollars in your community. This commitment ensures our farm a market for our products and, ultimately, our viability.


3. Access to Special Buys

Aside from the inherent discount within your CSA share, we also offer our members discounts on cut flower subscriptions, pastured eggs and farmers’ market purchases. We may also offer our CSA members discounted bulk purchases of crops, such as tomatoes, for canning or preserving.


4. Available on Any Budget

Many farms only offer a single CSA share size and require 100% down payment prior to the growing season. We have removed these obstacles so that purchasing a CSA share is available on nearly any budget. We offer two share sizes, each available for either 11 or 18 weeks and have three payment options that range from 100% down to four equal installments throughout the season.


5. More Variety

While some vendors at the farmers’ market grow only a select few crops, we grow a wide variety of produce based on what our members express an interest in, along with some unique crops for CSA members to try. Because our focus is on creating a community of members to support our farm over the long-term, we focus more on producing high-quality, exceptionally-flavored crops rather than higher-yielding, more profitable ones that often lack taste.


6. Save Time

Spend less time hunting for fresh produce and more time enjoying the summer with your family and friends. Your CSA share will be packaged with produce picked at its peak just hours before you arrive to pick it up and take it home to enjoy. We’ll provide you with recipe ideas to help you get the most out of the contents of your share, saving you time on meal planning.


7. Get Out and Have Fun!

Whether picking up your CSA share, touring the gardens or picking berries on the farm, you and your family will have plenty of opportunities to interact not only with us, but other members of our CSA. Throughout the year we may have volunteer opportunities or potlucks for you to join in on.

Click here to learn more and join our CSA today!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get a hold of us: info@harvestthymefarm.com

Greek-Style Quesadillas

A great appetizer or a quick meal!

Greek-Style Quesadillas

4 - 7-inch whole wheat flour tortillas
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup red onion, sliced thinly
1/4 cup cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup grape tomatoes, sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup black or kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
Greek vinaigrette dressing (see below)
1 cup shredded roasted chicken, optional

Green Vinaigrette Dressing

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

Dressing Recipe: Combine all dry ingredients and blend thoroughly with vinegar and oil.  

Recipe

1. Coat one side of each tortilla with cooking spray. Place tortillas, sprayed sides down, on a cutting board or waxed paper. Sprinkle with chicken (if desired), feta cheese, red onion, cucumber, grape tomatoes, olives, parsley, and oregano. Drizzle with dressing. Fold tortillas in half, pressing gently.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Cook quesadillas, one or two at a time, over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes or until light brown, turning once. Remove quesadillas from skillet; place on a baking sheet. Keep warm in a 300 degree F oven. Repeat with remaining quesadillas. To serve, cut each quesadilla into wedges.

Roasted Beets with Sauteed Beet Greens

A tasty way to use all of the beets you buy!

 

Roasted Beets with Sauteed Beet Greens

One bunch of beets with greens
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
Salt
Pepper
Red wine vinegar (optional)

Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Wash the beets thoroughly, leaving the skins on, and remove the greens. Rinse greens, removing any large stems, and set aside. Place the beets in a small baking dish or roasting pan, and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. If you wish to peel the beets, it is easier to do so once they have been roasted. 
2. Cover, and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a knife can slide easily through the largest beet. 
3. When the roasted beets are almost done, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for a minute. Tear the beet greens into 2 to 3 inch pieces, and add them to the skillet. Cook and stir until greens are wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the greens as is, and the roasted beets sliced with either red-wine vinegar, or butter and salt and pepper.