THE FRESH PRODUCE IS REALLY BERRY GOOD. You can reap the benefits – aka herbs, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and sometimes meats – upon buying a “share” in a local CSA farm like Sunbow (shown above).

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is the hottest thing among the “foodie” set right now. Well, maybe not the hottest thing, but it’s up there. Basically they work as follows: a farmer allows you to buy “shares” in the farm that will get you a box of produce every week during the farm’s season, delivered at various drop-off points. There is a cost involved, and it often can be reduced if you work a certain number of hours on the farm. It’s a pretty cool deal, like a farmers market with food you helped grow. Here’s the list of CSA farms in our region, and how to get involved.

Sunbow Farm
Where: Just south of Eau Claire
Season: May through November
Shares: 75
Shares available: 5
Cost: $275-$645 (has work option)
Types of food: Lots of veggies, some herbs, eggs, chicken, and lamb
Pick up points: south Eau Claire, Carson Park, downtown Chippewa Falls, or UWEC
Phone: 379-7284
Website: www.sunbowfarm.com

Drag Smith Farms
Where: Barron
Season: June to November
Shares: no limit
Shares available: no limit
Cost: $650 - $390 (has work option)
Types of food: 6-8 varieties of vegetables in a box, and occasional herbs
Pick up points: 6 places
Phone: 537-3307

St Fiacre GAPP
Where: Eleva
Season: June through September
Shares: 10
Shares available: none this year
Cost: $400 (no work option)
Types of food: Various veggies, honey, and eggs
Pick up points: none this year
Phone: 878-4767
Website: StFiacreGapp.tripod.com/blog
 
Sylvan Hills
Where: Menomonie
Season: June through October
Shares: 150
Shares available: zero
Cost: $700-$450 (no work option)
Types of food: Lots of vegetables, some herbs
Pick up points: Just Local Food Co-Op
Phone: 235-1695
Website: www.SylvanHillsFarm.com

Blue Moon Heirloom Farm
Where: Stanley
Season: June through October
Shares: 10
Shares available: zero
Cost: $180-$300 (work required)
Types of food: Lots of veggies
Pick up points: Chippewa, Eau Claire, and Menomonie
Phone: 644-0900
Website: BlueMoonHeirloomFarm.com

Jackson Hollow
Where: Mondovi
Season: Year round
Shares: 200
Shares available: zero
Cost: $295-$525 (no work option)
Types of food: Several veggies, apples, and berries
Pick up points: Eau Claire and Mondovi
Phone: 946-3329
Website: airstreamcomm.net/~brianandlaura
 
Alchemy Family Farm
Where: Colfax
Season: June through October
Shares: 12
Shares available: zero
Cost: $225- $400
Types of food: Lots of veggies, some fruits and herbs
Pick up points: Home delivery
Phone: 568-5133
Website: AlchemyFamilyFarm.org

Turnip Rock
Where: New Auburn
Season: June-October & October-November
Shares: 200
Shares available: roughly 120
Cost: $700-$225 (no work option)
Type food: Lots of veggies, some fruits
Pick up points: B Natural in Eau Claire or home delivery
Phone: 237-2998
Website: TurnipRock.com