Spring is underway here at Tinicum CSA! The greenhouse is filled with baby lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, cabbage, onions, scallions, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, bok choy, napa cabbage, radicchio, parsley, and celery.
And we successfully transplanted our first seedlings yesterday!
As we begin our 13th season, we are mindful of the challenges ahead, but comforted by the well rehearsed routines grounded in over a decade of growing experience.
Perhaps this year more than any other, I am reminded of why I got into organic, small-scale vegetable farming in the first place. I wanted to do something tangible to contribute to the local food movement, by taking special care of a piece of land, respecting the local ecosystem, and nourishing people.
Growing a diversity of cover crops attracts and sustains local pollinators and beneficial insects, and builds up soil fertility.
And growing a diversity of vegetables (over 40 crops!) nourishes people by providing a necessary, healthy assortment of nutrient-dense food. In a time when our food system is designed to prioritize cheap commodities that too often come in the form of processed foods, small-scale vegetable farms help to balance the scale in favor of healthy foods.
Beyond nutrition and nourishment is the community. The straightforward relationship between the farmers and the CSA members is profound in its simplicity. We are basically your neighbor who happens to have a very large garden. This community connection is one of the most important reasons for joining the farm. Not only do you get to know who grows your food and where it is grown, you also learn more about your own family, who suddenly talk about their favorite veggie varieties and flower combinations.
As we embark on the new season, and the farm comes to life, I am excited to see the community do the same.
If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to sign up and reserve your spot for the 2025 Season.
You can sign up online or if you’d like to pay by check, you can download the Membership Form.