A CSA subscription is the best way to support a farmer and get a share of the season’s best.
If the recent thaw has you thinking about garden plants and summer vegetables, you’re right on track: Now is the time to sign up for your favorite CSA.
For those who need a refresher, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, a model of local agriculture in which eaters pay at the beginning of the growing season, then get a weekly share of the harvest. It’s an arrangement that smooths out farmers’ incomes and gives members the freshest local produce, grown by people they can come to know. Each CSA operation chooses its own financial model, the mix of farm-grown and add-on foods it offers, and any on-farm events it hosts, so each CSA is a unique membership and community experience.
We are aware of three well-established CSAs operating in the Morgantown area this year. Here’s what you need to know:
Backbone Food Farm
Oakland, Maryland
Established in 1999 by Katharine and Max Dubansky, Backbone Food Farm has long been a staple at the Morgantown Farmers Market. It follows a “free choice” CSA model in which members add funds to a Free Choice Card, then spend them down through the season on items of their choice.
Season About 25 weeks, mid-May–early November.
Cost Buy in for $400 and in $50 increments over that using cash or check, PayPal, or credit card. For funds added to the card through May 1, Backbone will add 10% more to the total.
What’s included Member choice of seasonal products including produce, mushrooms, blueberries and rhubarb, pasture-raised meats, culinary herbs, and cut flowers.
Drop-off points Shop on-site or pick up pre-orders in specific time slots at the Saturday Morgantown Farmers Markets, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the farmers market in Oakland, and Thursdays mid-day on Front Street in Thomas. Pre-orders only: Tuesdays and Fridays at the farm and Thursday mornings at Big John’s Family Fixin’s in Canaan Valley.
Also CSA members can pre-order for quick pickup at any of the drop-off points. Add $50 to the card any time through the season.
Mountain Harvest Farm
Goshen Road
Also familiar from the Morgantown Farmers Market, Mary Oldham and Francisco “Chico” Ramirez created Mountain Harvest Farm in 2012 on the site of the former Owl Creek Farm. Their CSA offers a “farmers’ pick” box each week that can then be customized with other items from the week’s harvest and with add-ons.
Season 20 weeks, early June–mid-October.
Cost $374 for a half share of 6 to 10 varieties of items delivered every other week, $495 for a light share of 3 to 5 varieties of items weekly, or $660 for a full share of 6 to 10 varieties of items weekly.
What’s included The range of market vegetables—see website for more detail—with the flexibility to make adjustments within each week’s harvest.
Drop-off points Various Tuesday and Friday time slots at the farm on Goshen Road south of town, on University Avenue across from Zen Clay, and at Southern States Cooperative in Sabraton.
Also CSA members have the option to add on locally produced mushrooms, honey, maple syrup, eggs, herbs, flowers, and meats and FIRSTHAND fair-trade coffee.
ROUND RIGHT FARM
cranesville / terra alta
This beloved longtime farm is transitioning from the conventional organic farm it’s been for 18 years into a modern regenerative organic farm, says owner Chef Ed. During the transition, Round Right is working with more than a dozen local farmers to create diverse and abundant weekly clean local food boxes.
Season 24 weeks, June 4–November 12.
Cost Family fruit and vegetable boxes are $55 weekly; smaller couple boxes $35.
What’s included Seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Drop-off points Thursdays at BlissBlissBliss, Phoenix Bakery, and Terra Cafe in town, at St. Luke’s Church in Cheat Lake, at Pizza Pro in Bruceton Mills. Home delivery to some addresses is possible for a small additional fee.
Also Wide variety of add-on items—see the website for details.
This story was edited after it was originally posted to include Round Right Farm.
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