A social media Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) countdown is only halfway over, but several of the spotlighted farms/businesses are from right here in Central Minnesota. Here are the local businesses highlighted on the Farm Direct Minnesota CSA Countdown, along with what they were highlighted for.

Farm Direct Minnesota - What Is It?

Farm Direct Minnesota is a website and social media page that gives consumers the information they need to do business with producers and farmers across Minnesota directly. Whether you are looking to subscribe to a CSA box, looking to purchase meat, or maybe you just have questions about a product or offering, the website and social media page offer you the information you need to make a connection and purchase, or the information to answer your questions.

You can find the Farm Direct Minnesota social media page here. 

What Is Community Supported Agriculture?

If you've never heard of Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, you probably aren't alone. I hadn't heard of the term until I met my wife. A CSA is defined as "a subscription service where you pay a local farmer upfront for a share of the season's harvest, receiving weekly or bi-weekly boxes of fresh, seasonal, and usually organic produce."

Some producers offer seasonal packages where you get product weekly or bi-weekly, while others offer a CSA option per quarter for beef, pork, or chicken. Many times, producers offer different levels for different consumers based on what works for both parties.

Halfway Through The 8 Day Countdown, Local Farms/Businesses Highlighted

Today was day 4 of the CSA Countdown on the Farm Direct Minnesota Facebook page, and it seems like Central Minnesota has been fairly well represented. Here are the local businesses/farms that have been featured, and what they offer according to the page and posts.

• Baert Tower Farm - Foley - "Teresa Baert is the master of the high-tunnel game! They specialize in extended-season produce, meaning they get you those fresh greens and veggies earlier (and later!) than almost anyone else. If you want a box bursting with variety, they are a must-see."
• Grillin' Meats - Avon - "Christina Traeger is a force of nature! She specializes in heritage breeds and grass-fed goodness. Her meat CSAs are famous for quality and a depth of flavor that you just can't find at a big-box store. If you want a connection to the land and premium heritage meats, Christina is your go-to!"

• Hallow Acres - Cambridge - "The Hallow family is bringing the heat! Their Meat CSA boxes are a delicious adventure—each one is a full mix of lamb, chicken, and pork cuts, plus brats and ham sticks! The Best Part: Eggs are also usually included in every box (as the chickens cooperate!). They are dedicated to feeding their neighbors the 'real deal.'"

• Healthy Heritage Farm - Cold Spring - "Matt and Anita McNamara are on a mission to bring back heritage poultry! If you’ve never had a heritage-breed bird, you are missing out on incredible flavor. Truly food with a story."

How cool to have so many Central Minnesota farms/businesses/producers represented so far?

You can learn more about the businesses above by finding them on the Farm Direct Minnesota website, and/or searching social media for each business.

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