Three months ago or so I uploaded an entry talking about how I was joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm for the summer season. One of my roommates and I joined the Merrick Farm in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey (which, by the way, I can’t say enough good things about). A few weeks ago one of my roommates and I picked up our unofficial first gathering from the CSA in the form of strawberries and asparagus – both of which tasted great!
Below, though, are pictures of our first “real” take from the farm. As you’ll see, it’s enough greens to last two or three people a good week…which is great because that’s when we’re going back again! Click on the thumbnails below for bigger versions of the pictures.
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If you have a CSA farm in your area, I recommend calling them to see if you can still get a share this season or if you can sign up early for next season!
I am currently trying to decide which local CSA to join for the 2010 season, and Merrick Farm is on my list. How did you like the rest of the season at Merrick Farm? How was the variety/yields? Will you be doing it again this year? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Angela,
The rest of the season at Merrick Farm was good. There were some agricultural problems that hit many of New Jersey’s (and the East Coast’s) farms which reduced the overall yield of certain crops, but I have to say that I was very impressed with the food that we received. The cucumbers were tasty and delicious, the eggplants were excellent though they spoiled quicker than the chemical-filled ones at the grocery stores, and the tomatoes had a good taste to them.
If I wind up staying in this part of the state, then I will likely join the Merrick Farm again next year. The people are nice as are Juan and Susan – the folks who run the place. I do have to say that I was a little shocked that they expected everyone to put in some time working on the farm. I understand that this is a part of the process of a CSA farm, but I thought that by paying for my share I would have been exempt from having to put some additional time in. Overall, though, it wasn’t that bad. Because of my schedule I was really only able to do a little bit of work on Saturdays during pickup and all it really amounted to was pulling up some extra potatoes for the rest of the folks. It actually is kind of fun.
Good luck with your decision!
Cant believe in all of Monmouth county this is the only CSA! Am thinking about joining if they are still doing this. PS Your toaster oven is gross! LOL
Kristen – yes, the toaster oven is a disaster! I highly recommend the Merrick Farm – it’s great.