Local farms offer produce by subscription

Residents can sign up for a season’s worth of fresh food through CSA program

by the Foothills Gazette
COUNTY – Whatcom County is home to many farmers, some of them offering a CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture), in which residents can subscribe for a season’s worth of produce. Most provide weekly baskets. Following are some CSA options in eastern Whatcom County. (Additional options will be listed on our website.)

Bellingham Country Gardens: Owned by the Grubbs family, the 2.5-acre farm operates at 2383 Kelly Road in east Bellingham. The family uses sustainable farming practices, and produces a variety of vegetables, strawberries and flowers. The season runs from July 1 to October 31. The produce is offered in weekly packages at a cost of $15 per package. The total cost for 15 weeks is $225, plus $25 for delivery. Delivery is available in the Bellingham area, or subscribers can pick up at the farm. Call 223-3724, email grubbssm@msn.com, or visit bellinghamcountrygardens.com.

Cedarville Farm: Located at 3081 Goshen Road in eastern Bellingham, the farm is owned by Mike and Kim Finger, and is the longest-running CSA in the county. Operating for more than 10 years, shares vary throughout the season, but include an assortment of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and eggs. Work shares and farmers market shares available. Call 592-5594 or e-mail cedarville322@mac.com.

Growing Whatcom CSA: This CSA is powered by more than 12 farmers in the county, most of them located in and around Everson, and is the largest collaborative CSA in the state. In addition to fresh produce, add-on items include dairy products, coffee and bread—all from local producers. A variety of work shares, cost shares, and low income shares are available. The season runs June through October with pick-up on Thursdays in Bellingham, at Alm Hill Gardens in Everson or other locations. For more information, visit www.growingwashington.org.
Holistic Homestead: This Everson farm is operated by Gretchen (Norman) Woody. Based on sustainable and organic agriculture, the farm specializes in a variety of greens, vegetables and strawberries. Holistic Homestead operates within a Farmer’s Cooperative for a diverse supply of produce, and CSA members also receive fresh farm eggs. Weekly pick-up locations include downtown Bellingham, the farm in Everson and other locations. The season runs from the end of May to early October. Full shares costs $400.  The farm is also offering a fall farm share this year, and a farm account recommended for families and individuals who prefer to buy fresh from the Farmer’s Market. Visit holistichomestead.net, call 966-4939 or e-mail holistichomestead@gmail.com.

Mama’s Garden: Mama’s Garden is operated by four mothers who take joy in growing good food for their families and surrounding community. The roadside stand is located on Highway 9, just north of Acme.  The Mama’s Garden CSA, now in its second year, is a script based membership, and allows customers to pick what and when they want it, including plant starts, flowers, vegetables, fruits and eggs. The season begins in May and ends in December. The CSA script may be used for special harvesting orders by request, for freezing and canning.  Full and half shares available, giving CSA members 10 percent more in script than the cost of the share. A half share costs $250, giving the member $275 in script. Full shares are $350, giving members $385 in script. Call 595-2454 for more information.

Moondance Farm: Located in Acme, and owned by Billy and Nicole Tate, Moondance Farm practices sustainable farming methods. They produce a variety of organic vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, including ethnic specialties and heirloom varieties. Recipes, nutritional tid-bits, and histories and stories about certain vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers will be included in each weekly delivery. A full season share costs $400, for 20 weeks from June to October. Payment and a limited number of work-trade options are available. Shares can be picked up in Bellingham or at the farm in Acme. Other county pick-up locations are possible. Call 595-0155 or e-mail billyandnicole@moondancefarm.net.

Nooksack Nine Fruits & Veggies: Owned by Joshua Craft, Nooksack Nine is located at 7626 Nooksack Road in Everson. The farm is just under 10 acres, and grows certified organic produce, including a number of vegetables and berries. Each week subscribers will get a variety of what’s in season. Nooksack Nine has weekly pick-up sites at the Wednesday Fairhaven Farmers Market or the Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market. CSA members can also come directly to the farm for their weekly share. The cost is $400 for the approximate 20-week season, from the first week in June until the last week of September. No work trades are available at this time. Contact Joshua Craft or Michelle Zehr at 966-0148 or e-mail nooksack_nine@msn.com.

Osprey Hill Farm: Owners Geoff and Anna Martin offer a variety of CSA share options from their 15-acre farm in the South Fork Valley. A “build your own” CSA has options that include full and half shares of mixed produce,  as well as an egg share, poultry share, and lamb share. Participants can customize their CSA to include the food items they want most. Produce includes a variety of heirloom fruits and vegetables. A weekly box can be picked up at various drop-points; and meat items can be picked up monthly.  A full share of produce during the main season will feed a family of four and costs $400. The half share costs $200. The main-season runs June thru October. There are no options for work trade at this time. Osprey Hill Farm is Certified Naturally Grown. For more information, call 595-9134 or e-mail ospreyhillfarm@yahoo.com.

Rabbit Fields Farm: This Everson farm’s CSA was started in 2007 by owner Roslyn McNicholl. At four acres, the farm offers seasonal mixed vegetables and strawberries. CSA tubs are available to customers weekly at the Wednesday or Saturday market from early June to the end of October. The cost is $400 and feeds 2-4 people. There are no work trade at this time. The produce is Certified Organic. Contact 393-8747  or e-mail rabbitfieldsfarm@yahoo.com.

Uprising Organics: Located in Acme and owned by Crystine Goldberg and Brian Campbell, the farm operates on three acres. Their CSA is available to families on food stamps. The farm produces a variety of vegetables and herbs, as well as flowers and garden seed packet options. Pick-up is offered once a week in Bellingham, generally on Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. Available share sizes are $20 per week (approximately $400 season), or $15 per week (about $300 per season). The $20 share is suitable for a family size of 4-6 people. The season begins in mid-June, and is about 20 weeks long. The produce is certified organic. For more information, call 778-3749 or e-mail uprisingseeds@riseup.net.

Editor’s Note: This article is about CSA options. In May, we will publish our annual food and farm guide, listing all farmers, food producers and nurseries in the east county.