NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. May 2, 2024 – Four Western Nevada County certified organic farms are joining forces again to bring a collaborative Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to the community. First Rain, Bluebird, Feeding Crane, and Starbright Acres Family Farm are back for their second season of collaboration to provide boxes of fresh, locally grown, seasonal produce to their CSA members every week June 5th- October 23rd.
This CSA offers two box size options: the regular box is a balanced variety of seasonal staple items (like salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions), choice fruit, and specialty items (like asparagus, tomatillos, and habanada snacking peppers). The small box is a subset of the regular box that focuses on staple items for everyday cooking and eating. Members have the choice to pick up their bountiful box of produce in Nevada City (First Rain Farm) or Grass Valley (Starbright Acres) and connect further with the land that feeds them. Members also receive weekly newsletters full of friendly updates from the farmers and fun, easy recipes to inspire them in the kitchen.
The farmers at First Rain, Bluebird, Feeding Crane, and Starbright Acres believe in cooperation, not competition. They have forged a unique partnership that pools together the expertise, dedication, and passion of each farm to deliver a diverse and abundant array of vegetables, fruits, and herbs to their members. These farmers have learned that certain crops grow particularly well on their land and the Collaborative CSA highlights that specialization in every box. Whether it’s Bluebird mixed greens, Feeding Crane’s sweet peppers, Starbright’s cucumbers, or First Rain’s blueberries, CSA members enjoy produce harvested at peak ripeness full of flavor, nutrition, and love.
What exactly is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture is a pledge of mutual support between the farmer and the consumer. The consumer (you) buys a subscription early in the growing season (now) when farmers need the start-up money the most, and they both share the risk and rewards of the abundant harvest season. That up-front payment gives capital to farmers to buy all the seeds, irrigation, compost, tools, mulch, insurance, labor, etc necessary to get the farm up and running so that there is food to pick once the CSA begins. In return, CSA members receive a portion of the farms’ harvest in the form of weekly curated boxes of produce. Joining a CSA isn’t just about securing a weekly box of farm-fresh goodness; it’s a commitment to fostering a deeper connection to the land, your farmers, and our vibrant local food network.
More than just vegetables available!
But wait, there’s more! In addition to delicious organic produce, the Collaborative CSA offers a range of add-on provisions to complement its core CSA boxes. Members have the opportunity to get all their locally-sourced food at once, making the CSA pick up a convenient one-stop shop. The Collaborative CSA has partnered with many wonderful local food purveyors to expand their CSA subscriptions to include:
Artisan Sourdough Bread. Deer Creek Bakehouse delivers freshly baked bread made from organic ingredients, crafted with care. Choose between their signature Sourdough Country loaf, or the crowd-pleasing weekly rotating Baker’s Choice specialty breads. Or both- these loaves are made to be devoured!
Gourmet Mushrooms. Grass Valley Mushrooms supplies a rotating variety of flavorful mushrooms, cultivated using sustainable methods. Their bagged mushrooms include: lion’s mane, oysters (blue, black, trumpet) , shiitake, chestnut, and other seasonal selections. Perfect for folks looking to incorporate more fungi into their diets.
Flavorful Canned Goods. Sun & Cellar specializes in traditional preservation techniques to concoct delicious ferments, jams, kimchi, pickles, hot sauces, salsas, and more. Enjoy local flavors from all the seasons and elevate your plate.
Nutrient-packed Microgreens. Bluebird Farm provides a nutritional boost to your meals with their assortment of tender and flavorful microgreens, full of vitamins and minerals. These aren’t just a garnish- sunflower shoots, pea shoots, broccoli, and crunchy micro mix provide extra nutrition, texture, and flavor to any meal.
Farm Fresh Flowers. Bluebird Farm also contributes spectacular bouquets of organically grown flowers.They offer both weekly bouquets of show-stopping sunflowers and mixed bouquets of summer stunners including dahlias, lisianthus, zinnias, snapdragons, and more!
New this Year! And it just keeps getting better- the CSA is thrilled to announce they will have local eggs and grass-fed beef available to CSA members! These offerings will not be subscriptions like the veggie box and add-ons described above, but weekly pop up sales (eggs) at pick up or occasional pre-ordered packages (beef). Learn more about these special offerings:
Local Eggs. You heard that right! Jackie, core member of Bluebird Farm, is raising laying hens to provide fresh, organically-fed, pasture-raised eggs for CSA members. Her flock consists of over 10 breeds of hens, ensuring a colorful dozen in every carton. Our community seriously needs more quality local egg producers and we are thrilled Jackie answered the call to action!
Grass-fed Beef. Yuba Valley Ranch proudly offers the finest grass fed and finished beef around. They are a small family business in Browns Valley dedicated to raising high quality beef without hormones, antibiotics, grain, or feed lots. Instead, their herd is carefully monitored and flourishes and finishes on grasses and forages native to Nevada County. Stock up on premium ground beef and/or Rancher’s Choice of premium steaks, roasts, and convenient cuts like kebabs and fajitas!
Sign Up Today!
Ready to experience the joy of farm-fresh eating and the convenience of pre-assembled boxes full of all your favorite veggies, fruits, and herbs? Sign up today and embark on a culinary journey that benefits you, the farmers, and the earth! The CSA season begins June 5th, but spots are filling up quickly so secure your spot now!
To learn more and sign up, visit firstrainfarm.com/csa or email info.firstrainfarm@gmail.com with any questions.
Details
Duration: 21 weeks long from June 5th to October 23rd
Cost: $672 for regular box ($32/week)
$525 for small box ($25/week)
Pick up: Every Wednesday at First Rain Farm (Nevada City) or Starbright Acres Farm (Grass Valley) 3:30pm-7pm
Payment: We prefer checks or bank transfers. We have a payment installment plan for those who cannot pay the entire amount up front. Please email info.firstrainfarm@gmail.com to learn how it works.
Editor’s note: Full disclosure, we are enthusiastic CSA subscribers. Supporting local farmers, ranchers and food producers is great for the local economy and your table!
