Most Fall Sunday afternoons in this testosterone-rich household are spent watching guys running around with footballs. Thankfully yesterday, the family team of choice had a day off and I convinced my boys (2 kids + Dad!) to head out to the farm where we buy our vegetable CSA share for their annual Fall potluck.
Common Harvest Farm is out near Osceloa, WI - about a 75 minute drive from our house in the Twin Cities. It was a gorgeous day for a drive and a picnic - sunny, clear blue sky, about 60 degrees - my idea of the perfect fall day!! When we arrived, we were met by Margaret, one of the owners, who gave us the run-down on what was going on (and how to find the compost toilet!)
We plopped down on our picnic blanket, listened to the lively music and feasted on an incredible array of healthy dishes including a yummy kale & fennel salad that John made.
My favorite part was seeing the long rows of vegetables - especially the purple & green kale!
And check out all the squash in the storage shed - there was tons!!
Liam's favorite part was the animals. We took a ride on a wagon pulled by horses and got to visit the pigs. Liam loved the pigs!
Drew spent most of his time playing with his pigskin (football) and sampling desserts....but here he is checking out the CSA box assembly line:
I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live on a farm. It's SO different from our urban life. It's beautiful but it's hard work. I'm hoping to bring the family out for a work day sometime - to give them (and me!) a taste of what it's really like to work on a farm. Hmmmm....better check that football schedule....
It's one thing to belong to a CSA and another to visit and feel that connection to your food. Looks like a great day! We have belonged to a CSA for years and have yet to visit. You have inspired me and hopefully we will make the trek soon.
Posted by: Lori Alper | September 27, 2010 at 05:39 PM
You're right Lori - you really do feel more of a connection when you see the farm!! It was so great to meet the people that do the work and see how they collect the produce and pack it up. The hardest part was making the long drive out there - but it was totally worth it! Hope you get out to your farm soon! :)
Posted by: Micaela | September 28, 2010 at 09:56 AM
Oh What's that Plant and what's that fruit? At the 2nd and 3rd photo..^_^
Posted by: Fish Oil for Kids | September 28, 2010 at 11:09 PM
This is the perfect time of year to be a CSA member! We love seeing our members out to events like these and it allows you to really get a connection with your farm. There is nothing quite like seeing exactly where your food comes from. Us farmers sometimes forget that feeling, but to see the faces of our members as they explore reminds us of one of the reasons we started our CSA's in the first place. Enjoy the rest of your season!
Posted by: Minnesota CSA | October 01, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Thanks for your comment Minnesota CSA! Good luck with the rest of your season too!
Posted by: Micaela | October 01, 2010 at 11:26 AM