–by Sylvania AdVantage Staff
PUBLICATION DATE: April 02, 2019

For the ninth year in a row, Bittersweet is accepting new members for its Community Supported Agriculture program. CSA is a mutual partnership of shared risk between local farmers and the community. Members buy shares of the harvest and, in turn, the farmer is able to cover the initial costs of the growing season. Bittersweet strives to use good agricultural and organic growing practices whenever possible, avoids the use of toxic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides on crops and instead focuses on building soil nutrition, practicing crop rotation and using beneficial insects and companion planting to minimize the use of even organic certified sprays.
Bittersweet’s CSA is more than a partnership. By joining Bittersweet’s CSA, members support Bittersweet’s greater mission of serving adults with autism. Not only does this program allow the individuals who work in the program to engage with and contribute to the local community, but it also provides many opportunities for growth and learning new skills. While working in the CSA program, participants learn and develop their agricultural skills including preparing the soil in raised beds, planting seeds, transplanting vegetable plants, watering, weeding, harvesting a wide variety of crops, rinsing root vegetables, and packaging produce into CSA boxes each week.
Because of the generous support of foundations and donors, the 2019 season brings with it a brand new building addition and state of the art cooling system that allows the program to grow and store more products. This new addition is providing more individuals the opportunity to learn new skills and increase engagement in the entire CSA process.
Bittersweet offers two share sizes. The Standard Share is $300 per season and the Petite Share is $200 per season. The Standard Share feeds families and veggie lovers. The Petite Share is great for couples, individuals, and those who eat smaller portions of produce each week. The breakdown of each season is as follows: Spring Season: May 7- June 27, Summer Season: July 9 – August 29 and Fall Season: Sept. 10 – Oct. 31.
Bittersweet offers two pick-up locations and days. Members may choose Tuesday pick-up at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse or at Walt Churchill’s Market in Maumee, or Thursday pick-up at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse.
To sign up visit bittersweetfarms.org/csa
or call: 419.875.6986