While you're snowbound staring out at the 21.5 inches of snow that fell in Bel Air, why not turn your thoughts to summer days spent picking up bags of sweet corn, cantaloupes and ripe tomatoes from Wilson's Farm Market? The Bel Air farm is already taking orders for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program it started last year. CSAs are a European concept that Wilson's describes this way on its website:
"Community Supported Agriculture concept originated in Switzerland in the 1960s and quickly spread throughout Europe. It was introduced into the States in the mid 1980s. The idea is for members in the community to pledge support to the farm and farmer by purchasing shares for the upcoming growing season. In Europe, many people work on the farm for part of their share or volunteer to help with pick up day. In this country, most people prefer to pay the fee and pick up their weekly box of fruit and produce."
At Wilson's, local residents pay the farmer up front and Wilson's uses that money to pay its operating expenses for the season. Then, when the produce is ready for harvest, members who have paid into the CSA come to the farm weekly or every other week to collect a bag of the latest crop. The program runs for 16 weeks from July through October.
Click here to see the list of produce that will be available this coming season. Wilson's will also offer cut sunflowers and fresh herbs along with products from other area farms including fresh honey, eggs, beef and cheese.
The cost is $450 per full share. $225 per half share. A full share is weekly pick-up and a half share is every other week. A full share would be approx 2/3 of a brown grocery bag.
If you're interested in a full share, half the annual payment is due by April 30th. The rest is due by May 15th. Half shares must be paid in full by April 30th.
Click here to print an application. You can mail your application and payment to 2838 Forge Hill Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
If you have questions about our CSA, email: WilsonsFarmMarket@Verizon.net. Please put CSA in the subject line. Or call 410-836-8980.
For more information, visit Wilson's website at www.wilsonfarmmarket.net.
This post was sponsored by Wilson's Farm Market.
For more information on sponsored posts e-mail BANV at stacey@belairnewsandviews.com











