WEST END ATLANTA

I'm writing to share my experience as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shareholder in the Urban Farm run by Creating Vibrant Communities at 779 Atwood Street off Donnelly near Citi Kroger. As the first 13 weeks of my farm share draws to a close I wanted to let everyone else know about this fantastic opportunity to purchase fresh locally grown organic vegetables right here in our own neighborhood.

I had never been a CSA member until the CVC Urban Farm opened earlier this year. I wanted to support this urban agriculture initiative in my neighborhood and purchased a share (half basket each week) for $250 (it would be $400 for a full bushel basket) mainly as a show of support, because I have my own garden. But I have been so impressed and sometimes overwhelmed by the quality and volume of vegetables I receive each week in my basket that I plan to keep up my CSA membership, and plan my own garden planting this fall around what's being planted at the Urban Farm.

Even as a vegetarian, I still often find myself giving away vegetables, because I'm bringing so much home each Sunday from the farm. I've learned to cook new things, and I'm eating healthier than I did before. I don't go to the grocery store nearly as often, rarely drive all the way to the DeKalb Farmers market any more, and when I do grocery shop I don't spend half as much as I did before I joined the CSA.

More important, I feel safe eating the food I bring home from the Urban Farm because I know it's grown organically. I also like the fact that my preferences are taken into consideration when it's time to plant. And if I had time (!!) I could get a hefty discount for a few hours of volunteer service at the farm each week.

If you haven't seen the CVC Urban Farm yet, come by on a Sunday afternoon between 2 and 6 pm when the CSA members are picking up their harvest baskets. Extra produce is often also being sold at that time, and you can tour the exhibition garden beds and farm plots, and visit with the farm goats.

Meanwhile, if you want more information about signing up to become a shareholder, contact Robert Thompson at 404-399-3790 or rlthomp2002@yahoo.com, and check out these pictures of the farm at www.beecherdonnelly.com/farm/

Example: these were the vegetables in my basket this past week
Mixed peppers
Bell peppers (2)
Tomatoes, small red (3)
Tomatoes, small green (3)
Cherry tomato (cup)
Okra (small bag)
Green snap beans (small bag)
Mixed salad greens (small bag)
Eggplant (2)
Red peppers (small hand full)
Watermelon (small)
Mixed fresh herbs