Ridge to Reef Farm has announced the opening of shares for its 2013 Winter Season Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). St. Croix, St Thomas and St. John are now open for registrations. Register at http://ridgetoreef.csasignup.com or by calling 220-0466. Past members already have snagged over half of the available memberships, but there are still plenty more with the farm’s expanded production this year.
Those who want to take part in this next veggie-rich winter season, secure a share asap. Don’t miss out on the vast array of greens, roots and vegetables currently being cultivated by the new production managers, Jim and Claudia, the committed staff and volunteers. When the shares are taken, registration will be closed until the next season.
For more information, please go to ridge2reef.org for more details and then to the secure sign-up module.
Each week there will be a variety of the farm’s organic produce. The goal is to provide value that surpasses the fair market price of a share of organic food every week. The farm has put together a tentative listing of some the items people may receive below. While any one crop cannot be guaranteed, any one crop, this is the goal:
Month 1:
Pink Beauty Radishes, Tango Minature Head Lettuce, Mizuna Greens, Geogia Collards, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Hakurei Turnips, Caribe Cilantro, Genovese Basil, Thai Basil, Bananas, Papaya, Tuscano Kale, Green Onions, Jalapeno Peppers, Romano Beans, Pac Choy, Flowering Broccoli, Chaya, Moringa greens and powder.
Month 2:
Same as above, plus: Eggplants, Sweet and Hot Peppers, Beets, Suyo Long Cucumbers, Heirloom Tomatoes (Cherokee Purple, Striped German, Black Krim and more), Yellow and Red Cherry tomatoes, Butter Head Lettuce, Red Noodle Yardlong Beans, Clemson Spineless Okra, Rainbow Chard, Carrots, Edamame, Parsley, Garlic Chives.
Month 3:
Same as above, plus: Winter Squash (Red Kuri, Delicata, Acorn, Butternut), Red Burgundy Okra, Pumpkins, Green Yardlong Beans, Sweet Potatoes, and more tomatoes.
Plus… seasonal specials such as Surinam Cherry, Passionfruit, Lemongrass, Sugar Cane, Bush Tea, Miracle Fruit and other strange island delicacies.
Add on an optional bi-weekly coffee share from Puerto Rico’s sustainable fair-trade coffee farm for $90 (11 more shares left).
Add the "smoothie special" banana share (10 lbs. additional) per week for $120 (only three shares left).
*shipping to STT and STJ is additional
P.S. Also check out the V.I. Locally Grown Market, another member’s market where participants can order fresh produce weekly from a growing list of local sustainable farms.
This 2013 CSA is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Ellen E. Nettles — a friend, student and teacher who passionately volunteered to promote sustainable agriculture with her hands in the soil at Ridge to Reef Farm.