A Powerful Way to Support Your Local Farmer

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) makes it possible for families to have direct access to fresh, local, and seasonal produce. It is also a great way to get to know the farmers that make their living growing local food. A CSA can connect your household directly with the people who work to plant, grow and harvest the food we eat as well as fill your table with healthy options.

For most CSA memberships, you pay upfront for a set number of pick-ups from the farm you support. This commitment to support the farm throughout the season gives the farmers upfront income and strengthens your connections to the farmers and their families – who you will often meet at pick-up!

For this post we are focusing on a couple of CSAs available for pick-up in Colorado Springs. 

Hanagen Farms CSA – A Super Flexible Take on a CSA

Hanagen Farms is a family farm in the Arkansas Valley, east of Pueblo. They are part of the Colorado Historical Society and are considered a Centennial Farm by the Colorado Department of Agricultural, one that has been owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years. They are also part of the Rocky Ford Growers Association.

The Hanagen Farms CSA is super flexible. After selecting a half share ($175) or a full share ($325) you can pick up your produce at four locations including the Saturday Farmer’s Market at Bancroft Park in Colorado Springs and three locations in the Arkansas Valley.

Hanagen Farms sets up their CSA a little differently than most. Instead of the farm pre-selecting the produce in your basket, you choose what produce you want to take home. If you join their CSA, you receive 16 “punches” to use on your membership card and you can redeem those almost any way you want throughout the season. Canning? Use two punches to get the quantity you need. On vacation? Skip a week and still receive your full allotment when you get back. Either way, you fill your basket with what you want when you arrive at one of their pick-up locations.

Want to know more? Check out the Hanagen Farms CSA Facebook or Hanagen Farms Website for details, contact info, or to get you membership started.

Arkansas Valley Organic Growers CSA – An Organic Option

Arkansas Valley Organic Growers (AVOG) is a farmer owned and operated cooperative.

The AVOG CSA is unique in that it is a multi-farm CSA. Your summer full share ($504) or summer part share ($360) supports a number of family farms throughout the region and your pre-selected box will contain a variety from different farms. AVOG is also 100% organic – either certified or by reviewed practices at the farms.

There are three pick-up locations in Colorado Springs and locations in Manitou Springs, Black Forest, and Pueblo.

Find out more about the Arkansas Valley Organic Growers at their website, or on the AVOG Facebook page.

When to Expect your Produce

Our local farms are dependent on the weather and can be markedly affected by the amount of rain and sunshine they get throughout the season. Most CSAs start in July and run through October, though exact dates may shift.  Check with the CSA you choose and watch for information from them about their produce harvest.

The mission of Palmer Land Trust includes supporting robust working farms and ranches. Find out more at www.palmerlandtrust.org. Know of other CSAs that have pick-ups in Colorado Springs? Email [email protected] and we will get them added to our list.