October Vegetables in Wisconsin

As the first frosts are nearing, it makes me happy to still be receiving such a bounty from our CSA Crossroads Community Farm! 

Though summer is officially over, our CSA (community supported agriculture) provides us with vegetables for about 11 months out of the year. That's right, all the way through winter and into spring! 

To contribute to our family income, one of the things I have been doing for the last three years is doing a sitter-share where I watch the farm owners little girls in exchange for vegetables (yes, I get paid in vegetables). The bonus, our daughter comes with and has a play date. This winter as the growing season ends, I will continue to do the sitter share in exchange for storage vegetables. Imagine, eating locally all winter!

If you live in the Madison, Wisconsin area and have thought of joining a CSA, check out Crossroads Community Farm. They offer summer share and winter share options. They also sell their produce at Willy Street Co-op, the west side market in Madison and various area restaurants. If you don't live in the Madison area, you can still check out their link to learn more about what a CSA is. 

If you eat vegetables (and I hope you do) there are all kinds of CSA options springing up in every state. There are also fruit, meat, egg, bread and cheese options too in many areas. I can not say enough about the awesomeness of the CSA system! So even if you live in an area where there will be 5 feet of snow soon, don't give up on the local veggies yet.  Also, be it this winter or next spring, think about joining a CSA!