Are you interested in buying local, seasonal food directly from a farmer? You might want to consider membership in a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture farm. It’s a way for families to connect to their food source and teach their children about agriculture. It also allows families to invest in a local producer by providing the capital for the small farmer to start the new crop and share the risks inherent to farming. This is the story of one such farm, Moss Gathers.
Moss Gathers is a small farm which has been Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) and is located just inside the Collin County line. CNG certification standards are based on the highest principles and ideals of organic farming. The farm was started in 2004 with 4 members and today supports nearly 30 families.
I first visited Carol’s farm, Moss Gathers in February of this year. It was a scheduled work day for some of her farm members interested in growing their food and putting their children’s hand in the earth also. Although our time was spent preparing the beds for this year’s planting, it was a time of discussion, eager anticipation and education.
Carol provides a variety of produce from June to October via biweekly pickups. Members commit to a growing season and share the risks associated with farming. Their farm membership, paid in advance of the season, provides the capital for the plants, seeds, mulch, farm improvements and other necessary items.
Farming, even on a small scale requires an incredible amount of time and labor. To use growing methods that improve the soil, insect and bird populations requires a never-ending education that comes only one season at a time. It takes a season to notice the effect s of the composting you did through the winter; it takes a season to determine which tomato varieties had the best production, or the best flavor; it takes time to network with other farmers and to incorporate all of that knowledge into your crop.
Carol is trying an heirloom potato for her members this year called Caribe’ (Ka-REE-bay ) which has a purple-blue skin color and crisp white flesh. As the potato plants grow, straw mulch is mounded around the emerging plants to increase the yield. The black-eyed peas, radishes, squash, cucumbers and Zelma’s Zesta heirloom beans are just now sprouting. The tomatoes are protected with repurposed plastic rings and planted close to the cilantro which attracts beneficial insects which help control the tomato hornworm. All of this is evidence of the trials and subsequent experience needed to grow different crops in the North Texas climate. You can reach Carol directly at mossgathers@gmail.com, or call for a tour at 972-837-5057.
You can find more information about CNG: www.NaturallyGrown.org
For more local farm info: www.SlowFoodUSA.org, www.LocalHarvest.org or www.EatGreenDFW.com. Most importantly, if you know of great farm in your community, email me at suenewhouse@yahoo.com.
