Share the risk for a delicious reward

As spring approaches, farmers are planning summer crops, ordering seeds, soil, pots and all the incidentals needed for a succesful season. 

This is a calculated risk made by farmers who grow the fresh, local produce customers love to devour. To share the risk and give added support to small local farm communities, many farmers offer the opportunity to purchase produce through community-supported agriculture, a partnership between the farmers and the community. By making a financial commitment to the farmer, investors are entitled to reap the reward of the hard work. 

Customers pay up front while the farmer is busy buying and preparing for the season, and when harvest time comes, they pick up a box of vegetables several times a season in repayment for the advance. 

Each farm offers different sized and priced shares, and the items in the box will reflect what is in season with an abundant array of produce each week. While investing in spring involves a risk, consumers become more in touch with the source of their food. 

Most CSAs have specific pick-up days and locations; many are willing to make adjustments if needs are communicated in advance. 

Here is a line-up of the 2020 summer season CSAs available in the area:

• Dittmar Family Farms Purchase a share of Zach and Jenny Dittmar’s farm, and in return receive 16 weeks of local and chemical-free fruits and veggies. The farm practices regenerative agriculture. Several add-on options include pasture-raised chicken, free-range eggs and honey. The bulk of the box is from the farm, but to add variety they work with other Delaware farms to provide fruit and other items,  information that is always disclosed at pickup. A list of vegetables expected by month is on the website. Shares are small, $28.50 per week; medium, $42.40 per week; and large, $64.50 per week. Customers choose from a full, 22-week distribution or a 16-week summer share. Payments are prorated; sign up anytime during the growing season. Payment options are to pay in full, or in four or six monthly installments.

Pickup location is at Historic Lewes Farmers Market Saturday and Wednesday. Get details and sign up for a share at www.dittmarfamilyfarms.simplesite.com, or call 302-632-5875.

• Totem Farms The summer season at Totem Farms will offer a box with seven to 10 organic items. Micro greens and lettuce mixes are the base; whatever they are selling at farmersmarkets is what will be in the  box. Depending on the season, tomatoes, radishes and squash might be found. A weekly box costs $450 for the season, and a box every other week is $250. Pickup at the farm is Thursdays, and arrangements can be made to pick up at several local farmers markets. Signup began March 1, and space is limited.  A newsletter goes out each week, which includes the items planned for the box and recipes. Add-ons include eggs and various items announced in the newsletter. 

They offer full payment up front or two payments, the second due by July 7. Contact Rob Dick at 302-930-1849 to make sure to get a spot on the list. Payment can be mailed to Totem Farms, 16300 King Cole Drive, Milton, DE 19968. To learn more about the farm and see what is grown during the season, go to www.totemfarmsde.org.

• Nash’s Veggies Josh Nash takes an all-natural approach to growing, using organic methods. Nash offers a weekly farm-share veggie box from May 13 to Sept. 30. Pickup is at the farm, at 19119 Jumping Jack Lane in Lincoln, every Wednesday 4:30 to 7 p.m. Delivery is available for a $30-per-season fee within about eight miles of the farm. Each farm-share veggie box will include a variety of fresh vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, arugula, kale, chard, turnips, carrots, beets, radishes, microgreens, garlic, and when available, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, squash and eggplant.

Space is limited and available in full share only.  Contact Nash to pay by check or cash. Like Nash’s Veggies on facebook or go to www.nashs-veggies.square.site to sign up.

• Adkins Produce David and Ashley Godwin are following the family footsteps. David’s family has run the farm for 100 years, and the couple continues the legacy by operating the farm stand on Long Neck Road and the farm in Dagsboro.  From May 24 to Sept. 12 the summer CSA will offer custom fruit and vegetable shares, with honey and egg add-ons. All are available for weekly or every-other-week pickups. Boxes are customizable through a CSA management website. The site offers recipes and cooking tips; shares can be customized, and customers can change delivery dates, swap items and add extra products.

A full share is $34; half is $21; and mini is $12. Customers can select weekly or every-other-week subscriptions and can customize the number of boxes. Pickup is at the produce stand at 32008 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; at 30697 Bunting Road, Dagsboro, 3-6 p.m., Wednesday; at Angola By The Bay for residents of the community Thursday, 3-5 p.m.; or at Beebe Healthcare for employees on Wednesday. Go to www.adkinsproduce.com to sign up or call 302-945-9700.

• Fifer Orchards Farm and Markets A fourth-generation farm in Camden-Wyoming, the Fifer family values environmental stewardship while growng and selling quality produce. The Delmarva Box membership offers five size options ranging from $20 to $38. Other local products may be added, like jams and jellies, eggs, honey, meats and cheeses, and those special apple cider doughnuts.

Local pick-up locations are  Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Fifer’s Farm Market Cafe in Dewey; at Villages of Five Points behind the Greene Turtle; and at Revelation Craft Brewery in Georgtown. Other locations can be found on the website. To sign up go to www.fiferorchards.com/delmarva-box-csa-program.

• Hattie’s Garden Hattie sells plants, produce and cut flowers during the growing season at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market and at her farm. She offers a plant, produce and cut flower CSA for credit. This entitles customers to a 10 percent discount for items purchased and the credit doesn’t expire. Select any quantity of credits in $10, $25, $50, $100 or $200 increments. Combine more than one selection. 

Hattie grows various heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, flowers and herbs using organic potting soil and organic seeds. Refer to the plant selections at hattiesgarden.com/hatties- plants. Reserve CSA credits by March 15. To order go to www.hattiesgarden.com/hatties-plants/plant-csa/plant-csa-order-form.