Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Farming Practices

[Janice]

This may seem like an unusual question.  I would especially like for Nicki Gioiosa to respond.

Our family is considering a  CSA membership with a local farm.  On the website under farming practices it reads, " We plant cover crops such as winter wheat or rye to add nutrients back into the soil and help reduce erosion."  I spoke with one of the owners who explained that these crops are grown like grasses and then plowed under into the soil where crops are then grown.  These crops do not flower or seed.  So they are grown as grasses and there is no harvest.  The owner said he has friends that have celiac and they have had no issues.  The crop does not come in contact (cross-contaminating) with other crops. 

I don't think this would be a problem for anyone with celiac, but my antenna went up when I read it.  I just want to make sure there would be no safety issues with the products they sell.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Janice

[TNfarmgirl]

A local CSA sounds great!  Wholesome food from farm to table.  The practice of green tillage or a cover crop is a great natural way of putting amendments back into the soil.  I have used winter wheat myself.  It is usually planted late fall and tilled under in early spring.  The plant never has a chance to come to fruition as far as bearing seed.  Once the "grass" (if you will) is tilled under it decomposes into nitrogen and other vital nutrients for the next crop to thrive from.  Wheat grass itself contains no gluten.  Plants grown in the breakdown of these grasses will consume the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as natural fertilizers.  I doubt you would have anything to worry about as far as contamination unless the farmer lets the wheat go to seed and you are purchasing a grain crop from them. 

Just my two pennies worth.  From someone that likes to play in the dirt!  :)

[Rachel Watson]

Yes, what TN FARM girl said :)  No worries :)

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Celi-Act" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to celi-act+u...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to celi...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/celi-act.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Janice]

Thank you so much for explaining that further.  We went to the farm and purchased our share today.  We are looking forward to fresh and a variety of produce beginning in May.

[TNfarmgirl]

Janice,

Did you get your info on the CSA from "Pick Tennessee Products" website or can you share the name of your CSA?  I'm looking for grass fed milk/cheeses and meats and possibly veggies.  I was doing a garden every year, but my husband and I just can't eat that much anymore! 

Thanks!

[Janice]

The farm is located in Union County and is called Seven Springs Farm.  I spoke with James, one of the  owners, to get permission to give out information to the whole group.  This farm partners with other farms and producers to provide a larger variety of produce.  They do sell beef, pork, eggs, butter, produce, and other items from their farm store.  You can check out their website at www.SevenSpringsFarmTN.com.  James also has a blog where you can find a lot of information.  

---

From: "TNfarmgirl" <terr...@gmail.com>
To: "celi-act" <celi...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: terr...@gmail.com, j4ch...@comcast.net
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2016 3:02:53 PM
Subject: Re: Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Farming Practices

[Nicki Gioiosa]

Honestly CSA for us was Celiac Sprue Association. Sorry for the confusion. But our board member is a liaison between celi-act and the celiac sprue association. This contact is actually me currently and that position has already changed. They are the largest celiac support group and we are a chapter of their's.  

On Friday, February 26, 2016 at 12:41:44 PM UTC-5, Janice wrote: