What is a CSA?

To become a shareholder in a Community Supported Agriculture farm, or CSA, members pay part or all of the annual costs early in the year, even before the seeds are planted. This allows the farm to be able to buy seeds and supplies without going into debt. The farmer and members share the risks of farming, such as bad weather and crop failure. The return for the members' investment is a weekly bag or "share" of food from the CSA farm.

CSAs differ—some require a lot of member participation, with on-farm food pick-ups and work in the fields, while others require almost no participation other than picking shares at a pick-up point. Some CSAs go year-round and provide produce, grains, meat, and dairy, while others operate only a few months and have only limited fare.

Cleveland CSAs

Blue Pike Farm
Reserve your weekly bag of fresh, local, organic fruits and veggies grown at Blue Pike Farm at E. 72nd Street (pictured) and be a part of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). To apply.

League Park Market Garden
Support urban agriculture and residents of Cleveland's east side.
NEO Restoration Alliance – CSA
1051 Winston Road
South Euclid, Ohio 44121
email Veronica mikeronnie123@aol.com

CSAs in the region

Geauga Family Farms CSA
A group of 10 family-owned farms in and around Geauga County. Contact Laura Dobson, 440-478-9849, www.geaugafamilyfarmsllc.org. Serves Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties.

Crown Point Ecology Center
P O Box 484
Bath, Ohio 44210
Products vegetables - certified organic, flowers The Crown Point Farm has a CSA program, a Foodbank Farm and an Earth Camp for children.Contact:  330-668-8992

Dragonfly Farm
5298 Eberly Rd
Atwater, Ohio 44201
Products mixed vegetables, cut flowers, blueberries, herbs - medicinal & culinary -- Small family farm growing mixed vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and blueberries. Retail sales at the Haymaker Farmers' Market in Kent, Ohio, every Saturday from 9am till 1pm.   Contact: 330-947-1225

Rootstown Organic Farm
3847 New Milford Rd
Rootstown, Ohio 44272Products garlic, mixed vegetables, herbs -- Specializing in garlic, including early spring garlic, garlic pearls, bulbs for storage, braids and planting stock. Also offering a variety of potatoes and fresh vegetables, including early greens.  Orders upon request.  Contact:  (330)325-7016

Infinite Garden Farm
8102 Crow Road
Litchfield, Ohio 44253
Products garlic, peppers, broccoli  -- For over 25 years the farm has been OEFFA certified organic. There is a wide variety of vegetables and garlic, broccoli, and peppers --  also organic alfalfa and clover hay. Produce sold at Peninsula, Akron, and North Union Farmers Markets and to local healthfood stores. Also some on farm sales.  Contact:  (330) 725-6762

Risley Agricultural Center & Mennell Acres
10532 Smith Road
Litchfield, Ohio 44253
Products organic beef, natural pork, poultry, turkeys, round hay and straw bales, food grade Vinton81 soybeans, spelt ("Oberkulmer") --  178 acre 100 percent organic farm, and uses organic crops grown on farm to raise cattle, pigs, and chickens. Contact: Gary and Roy Mennell / (330) 648-2711

Schmidt Family Farms
4282 State Road
Medina, Ohio 44256
Products Vegetables, Eggs, Local Honey -- 50 acres with pasture, trees, and 1.5 acre gardens. Contact:  (330) 239-2325

Maple Ridge Vineyard
6326 Dewey Road
Madison, Ohio 44057
Products wine, honey, lamb  -- small diversified family-operated farm that has been certified organic by OEFFA since 1997. Specializing in wines made with organic certified grapes (European style and varieties). Our products are available in our tasting room, Friday 1-6 and Saturday 2-7.   Contact:  (440) 298-3290

Middlefield Original Cheese
16942 Kinsman Rd
Middlefield, Ohio 44062
Products cheese, 12 different varieties including cheddars -- Middlefield Original Cheese is a farmer owned co-op with 162 members. Cheese is sold at retail store or can be purchased wholesale. They also sell under the Geauga Family Farms label. Contact:  440-632-5567

Marshy Meadows
7490 Noble Rd
Windsor, Ohio 44099
Products beef and hay -- Marshy Meadows is a grass and beef operation. Hay and pasture are OEFFA certified organic. The cattle are fed only hay and pasture, with no grain or added hormones or antibiotics. Grassland is managed to protect meadowlarks and bobolinks.  Contact: (440) 272-5174

Mulberry Creek Herb Farm
3312 Bogart Road
Huron, Ohio 44839
Products herb plants, vegetable plants, miniature perennial plants; miniature faery tools and accessories -- A family-run herb farm with herb gardens, stock beds, and 3 greenhouses that hold over 500 varieties of potted herbs, perennials, and vegetables selected for their flavor, healing properties, multi-use and history. Herb Fair is the 4th weekend in June.  (419) 433-6126

Green Springs Haven
2496 CR 181
Clyde, Ohio 43410
Products mixed vegetables, tree fruits, small fruits, herbs -- Green Springs Haven is a natural community of diverse fruits, grains, herbs, vegetables,trees, animals, and people. Contact:  (419) 639-3890

Vero Fresh Produce
1543 Rosewood Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio
Vero Fresh Produce offers weekly email digests listing what produce and other items are available from local farms and vendors for purchase and delivery. Provides quality, fresh organic, and naturally-raised foods to you at an affordable price. Contact: (216)255-

Muddy Fork Farm
2289 N Reedsburg Rd  
Wooster, Ohio  
A family owned, organic farm with a CSA program and participation in local farmer's markets. Buying Club / CSA. Contact: 419-869-7573 or http://muddyforkfarm.tripod.com/

Lone Oak Farms
63821 Sand Hill Road 
Bellaire, Ohio   
Family-operated farm selling organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits, and pasture-raised eggs. Produce available through CSA or the Ohio Valley Farmers' Market, St. Clairsville Tuesdays and Saturdays, June-Sept. Contact: 740-676-8187 or 1-888-511-4881

Bluebird Hills Farm
CSA3617 Derr Rd.   
Springfield,  Ohio  
Certified organic farm, growing organic vegetables since 1994, serving southwestern Ohio with 11 different pickup locations in the Miami Valley. A weekly newsletter keeps members informed about the farm. We encourage members to visit the farm and enjoy our surroundings, including alpacas raised for fiber. Contact: 937-390-6127 or http://www.bluebirdhills.com/

Boulder Belt Farm
3257 US Rt 127 N
Eaton, Ohio 
Boulder Belt Farm is a small sustainably managed farm in Preble County in SW Ohio. Serving farmers' markets, CSA, a farm store and sales to select restaurants and grow over 70 different kinds of sustainably grown produce from arugula to zucchini. Also offers pastured chicken through subscription every summer. Contact: (937) 456-9724  http://www.boulderbeltfarm.com/

Other resources for CSAs

• Local Harvest 
• Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
• Countryside Conservancy
• Innovative Farmers of Ohio
  
• Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA)