Our CSA- Clagett Farm

So, Andrew and I decided to try out a CSA this year. I had signed up to receive information from a few CSAs, but the one that was the best at communication was Clagett Farm. It's based on first come, first served-- so, on Registration day, I made sure I was entering my information the second that registration opened. We were lucky to secure a Saturday pick-up at the farm itself. This apparently is a better option because you tend to get more produce-- including some things that would otherwise go bad by the time the Tuesday Dupont Circle came around.

On this page, I will talk a little bit about the Farm as well as provide information on each week's share. Because Andrew and I like to travel a lot (Visit the travel blog: ), we are not around every Saturday. The way Clagett is set-up is that you can pick up your missed day's share within 7 days of the pick-up date. So, our first pick-up was to be Saturday, May 15th. We were in California, so we picked it up on Tuesday, May 28th instead. You can also switch pick-up locations up to 4 times. So, for our first pick-up, we went to Dupont Circle.

Once we have visited the farm, I'll take some pictures to post up here as well.

About the Farm:
Clagett Farm is owned and operated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Upper Marlboro, MD. Although they are not certified organic, they do follow organic standards and work to farm in a sustainable way that helps to protect the watershed. They are chemical free.

The idea behind the CSA or Community Supported Agriculture is that a farmer can allow interested parties to pre-purchase a share before the harvest season. This created a mutual support system between farm and consumer. But it's not just about what you get of it. Clagett encourages consumers to come out to the farm and help with the work.

Along with a designated share each week, the CSA also has a list of "You Pick" items. CSA Share holders who visist the farm are able to pick as much of those listed items as they would like.

For more information on Clagett Farm click here to go to their Website.
There is also a really good blog that let's Shareholders know what the crop for the week will be. They also announce community events and workshops that are going on at the farm.



Share #1: May 18, 2010
As I wrote previously, we missed our original first pick-up which was to be on Saturday May 15th, so to make up for it, we picked up on Tuesday from Dupont Circle. Hopefully, in the future, I will remember to post a picture of our weekly share.

Our Share:
1.75lbs Collard Greens and Kale
0.5lbs Bok Choy
1/4lb. Lettuce
1/4lb. Spinach
0.75lb. Swiss Chard (Although I don't believe we picked this up)
1.0lbs. Turnips and Radishes
1 bulb Onion (It was a HUGE onion- we were skeptical too)
Up to 3 Seedlings- we picked tomato, basil and chili peppers
Seed Potato

Because this is the 2nd week of shares and our normal pick up in on Saturday, we will likely get a similar batch as this, unless something changes in the next two days. Recipes that we try with our share ingredients are posted on the main page of this blog. Enjoy and please send us ideas of new recipes if you have any!!

Dishes Made: Kale Salad with Ricotta Salata, Roasted Turnip Fries, Stuffed Chicken, Bok Choy
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