When we choose to support organic Community Supported Agriculture such as The Garden Gate Farm, we choose the practice of focusing on production of high quality, healthy foods over and against the commonly accepted method of injecting potentially harmful chemicals into the soil or spraying the food crop itself with various chemicals from planting time to harvest time. Also of concern to many, including many astute scientists, is the use of what is commonly referred to as genetically modified seeds, hence genetically modified food. Fortunately, each of us has the right to choose whether we consume food supplies from chemical based agriculture or from natural, organic methods free from the worries of typical modern farming techniques. And upon occasion we have the rare choice to chose non-genetically modified foods, such as found at The Garden Gate Farm through use of heirloom seeds.
As you have surely already noted, the complete description of our farm contains not only the word naturally, but also heirloom. The word heirloom says that we use only traditional seed stock, not seed reengineered in some laboratory or coated with questionable chemicals intended to enhance pest resistance and increase vitality of growth. Yes, we use "old fashioned" seed stock instead of what is quite common now: seed stock genetically modified, resulting in genetically modified food. Many scientists are concerned about both the long term effect of genetically modified foods on our health and the basic wellbeing of the agricultural structure upon which we rely.
Some time ago, our family realized that organic foods offered through organic CSA providers are the best value for our local economy, ecology and our health--which is most important of all. We are confident that after a brief reflection on the cause and effect of modern produce farming techniques you will see the value too.
In this 21st century, CSA organic agriculture is considered a unique method of farming. Not unlike agrarian contributions to society a number of generations ago, the modern CSA offers a food supply from local growers, not some corporate entity hundreds or even thousands of miles away, perhaps halfway around the world where few, if any, growing standards exist! With the organic CSA approach to maintaining a health-conscious food supply, you are assured of high quality foods from people you can talk to face-to face, and at the same time help both the economy and ecology right here at home.
The organic CSA approach to healthful buying is rooted in transparent, whole-season budget plans for a wide array of products for a set number of weeks per year. Also, under the CSA approach a common pricing system assures that all participants are receiving the same benefits per dollar. All is balanced between farmer and consumer under a shared risk and reward system. For example, consumers eat what the farmers grow even with the vagaries of seasonal growing and climate variations. Think of the relationship between farmer and consumer as that of a balance scales, with neither party having an advantage over the other. The scales always rests in a neutral position.
CSA participants do not necessarily pay a given amount for a guaranteed amount of produce; but, instead, support the budget of the farm and in return receive weekly what is seasonally available. The environment of a local CSA eliminates marketing risks, enormous amounts of time and manpower, and produce waste; and at the same time providing Share Members an assurance of healthy foods at fair prices.
A most important advantage enjoyed by Share Members of a local CSA is the increased freshness of the produce, because the food items do not have to be shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach them. When produce is shipped from such a great distance, producers are often forced to harvest well before the crop is actually ripe, hoping it will find its way to the consumer in an acceptable fashion. When a person becomes a Share Member of a local organic CSA such as The Garden Gate Farm, the structure of the local economy is enhanced, produce is guaranteed fresh, guaranteed ripened on the vine (or stalk), and is guaranteed to be grown in real dirt--purely organic!
If the produce you eat is from The Garden Gate Farm you can be assured that it is chemical free-- organic. There’s never a time when you have to be concerned if we really did "follow manufacturer’s recommendations found on the label" when it comes to application of herbicides or pesticides. It’s simple enough: If a process isn’t absolutely safe for you, your children, or even Fido the dog or Princess the cat we don’t use it. Stated another way, "If is isn’t absolutely organic-natural- we don’t use it." It has been said that we should do unto others and as we would have them do unto us. We do our best to follow that aged Golden Rule. And that is exactly the reason we so strongly embrace the methods of organic food production.
The CSA concept has been alive and well in the United States for at least 20 years. The number of CSA farms is growing annually across the country. Informed consumers are beginning to think beyond carefully crafted commercial nutritional labeling and are now reconsidering the concept that what you don’t know can hurt you. A well informed consumer has every opportunity to reap the harvest of delicious food that promotes a healthy life.
Because we strive to grow nothing less then highest quality foods, The Garden Gate Farm is a fully CERTIFIED NATURALLY GROWN facility. We know you care, and we guarantee that we will make every attempt to never disappoint, never accepting a lower standard for the sake of our own convenience.
Our family is committed to heirloom foods grown the organic way. And you?