2009 Member Events

Unlike other forms of agriculture, Community Supported Agriculture starts with Community – the farm and its members. Without our community we are just another farm struggling to find a market. Communities are more than just groups of people. Communities share a common interest. Members of communities can be scattered throughout a larger society yet have a common policy or philosophy that links the members.

It is the responsibility of the members of a community to impart our knowledge onto others in the community – whether it is how to prepare turnips, fertilize crops or plant garlic. We can share our philosophies on the impact of mono-crop farming on the environment, the effect fast-food has on our children’s health, or the role of the individual in the future of the global society. Or more importantly, we can share jokes, tell fun stories, laugh together and enjoy each other’s company – at least that’s our philosophy here at Fresh Earth Farms.

To accomplish our goal of creating a community we need to have an appropriate vehicle. One vehicle Fresh Earth Farms provides is our periodic member events. These events not only introduce our members to the farm but more importantly they introduce our members to one another. And even more importantly, these events introduce our members to farming. For though we may be spread out across the Twin Cities we all share many of the same interests. We are a community.

To fulfill our responsibility for imparting knowledge to the rest of the community, several of our events will be educational. We feel farming is best taught by doing.

Here are the events planned for 2009. Mark your calendars! (More details will follow as we get closer to the dates).

April 26: Potato Planting Party

Potato planting is fun for the whole family. Kids of all ages can participate. There are activities for those who are close to the ground as well as activities for those who don’t bend well anymore.

May 23: Tomato Planting Party

A great event for those who like to get their hands dirty. In the past we’ve had sufficient participation to plant over 2000 tomato plants. Maybe we can break that record this season. Children are always welcome to come help out! And those who purchased herb plants can pick them up at this event.

August 22: Potluck, Tomato Tasting and Corn Feed

We decided to move this event to August so we can have sweet corn. We should also have all the tomatoes producing well.

October 17: Garlic Gala & Member Appreciation Day

In Gilroy CA they have their annual garlic festival after the garlic harvest. Here at Fresh Earth Farms we have our garlic festival while planting the garlic! A far more educational experience. Then to finish off the day we will share our favorite garlic recipes and roast garlic (or more likely marshmallows) by the fire.