Supporting local business plays a key role in a healthy regional economy.
As a core part of that chain, it isn't surprising that local farmers are continuously competing with grocery chains to sell their products. The Saratoga Farmers Market is no exception, and is taking strides to push fresh, local produce. Through the Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA), the public can support local farmers and benefit themselves each week by bringing home fresh produce in return.
"In previous years, we had to take out loans from the bank in order to prepare for the next year's season," said Justine Denison of Denison Family Farm in Schaghticoke. "With help from locals, it saves us that burden."
The premise of the program is for members to pay farmers up front during the winter as they prepare for the upcoming growing season. In return, each week during while the Farmers Market is up and running, the patrons receive a basket full of in-season vegetables for the 22 weeks in business.
"Each winter, our crop plan is a major part of our business and planning. The preparation takes a long time and a lot of money up front, and a lot of times we don't have the entire sum to purchase the seeds, fertilizer and everything else involved in the farming process," Denison said. "This program helps us out tremendously."
According to Denison, becoming a part of CSA is just as much of a risk as it is an investment. While patrons are guaranteed a basket of fruits, vegetables, herbs and eggs each week for their contribution, there may be problems with a certain crop. For example, sugar snap peas have been a product of concern at the Denison Family Farm.
"If a crop isn't good, it can't be used. While it's rained a lot lately, that could be detrimental for some crops like tomatoes that love the sun or sugar snap peas that need a certain type of soil to thrive in," she said. The baskets that patrons receive for their monetary donations run seasonally, Denison said.
"The ones who support us receive the risk but accept the bounty when all turns out well," she added. "As a part of the CSA, we are holding each others' hand to get the job done. The community spirit is essential to the being of the farmer and the buyer a like."
To Denison, the Farmer's Market is not only an outlet to sell her products but an outlet for community learning.
"There's a good feeling at the market between the customers and the members. We aren't just a veggie peddler to the customers; we are a staple in the community. We send out newsletters updating out clients, sharing our customers with one another at the Farmer's Market," she said. "The market works because we are all in it together. If a customer is looking for cucumbers and we don't have it, we send them to our friends down the row. We all help each other out."
To become a member of the CSA, interested parties must register around the beginning of December so farmers can estimate the crops they will need to grow. Prices are as follows: vegetables: 22 weeks $450, eggs: 22 weeks $72, fruit: 15 weeks (starting July 1) $150 per season.
The Denison family relocated to Schaghticoke from a 120-acre farm in Maine in 2002 to start their farm locally. By joining the CSA, the family has been able to carry on their business in tough economic times.
"When people join the CSA, they are investing a lot more than money for weekly vegetables in the summer and fall. They are supporting local business and agriculture, which continues to be as important as ever in Saratoga County," Denison.
For more information and to learn how to become a member of the CSA, visit http://saratogafarmersmarket.org or contact Suzanne Voigt at marketcoordinator@saratogafarmersmarket.org.
"In previous years, we had to take out loans from the bank in order to prepare for the next year's season," said Justine Denison of Denison Family Farm in Schaghticoke. "With help from locals, it saves us that burden."
The premise of the program is for members to pay farmers up front during the winter as they prepare for the upcoming growing season. In return, each week during while the Farmers Market is up and running, the patrons receive a basket full of in-season vegetables for the 22 weeks in business.
"Each winter, our crop plan is a major part of our business and planning. The preparation takes a long time and a lot of money up front, and a lot of times we don't have the entire sum to purchase the seeds, fertilizer and everything else involved in the farming process," Denison said. "This program helps us out tremendously."
According to Denison, becoming a part of CSA is just as much of a risk as it is an investment. While patrons are guaranteed a basket of fruits, vegetables, herbs and eggs each week for their contribution, there may be problems with a certain crop. For example, sugar snap peas have been a product of concern at the Denison Family Farm.
"If a crop isn't good, it can't be used. While it's rained a lot lately, that could be detrimental for some crops like tomatoes that love the sun or sugar snap peas that need a certain type of soil to thrive in," she said. The baskets that patrons receive for their monetary donations run seasonally, Denison said.
"The ones who support us receive the risk but accept the bounty when all turns out well," she added. "As a part of the CSA, we are holding each others' hand to get the job done. The community spirit is essential to the being of the farmer and the buyer a like."
To Denison, the Farmer's Market is not only an outlet to sell her products but an outlet for community learning.
"There's a good feeling at the market between the customers and the members. We aren't just a veggie peddler to the customers; we are a staple in the community. We send out newsletters updating out clients, sharing our customers with one another at the Farmer's Market," she said. "The market works because we are all in it together. If a customer is looking for cucumbers and we don't have it, we send them to our friends down the row. We all help each other out."
To become a member of the CSA, interested parties must register around the beginning of December so farmers can estimate the crops they will need to grow. Prices are as follows: vegetables: 22 weeks $450, eggs: 22 weeks $72, fruit: 15 weeks (starting July 1) $150 per season.
The Denison family relocated to Schaghticoke from a 120-acre farm in Maine in 2002 to start their farm locally. By joining the CSA, the family has been able to carry on their business in tough economic times.
"When people join the CSA, they are investing a lot more than money for weekly vegetables in the summer and fall. They are supporting local business and agriculture, which continues to be as important as ever in Saratoga County," Denison.
For more information and to learn how to become a member of the CSA, visit http://saratogafarmersmarket.org or contact Suzanne Voigt at marketcoordinator@saratogafarmersmarket.org.
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