WESTERN SAN JUANS – With farmers markets in just about every town these days, it’s becoming customary for people to make to a weekly trek down to the local parking lot to check out the abundance of vegetables, meats, cheeses and specialty goods produced by regional growers, not to mention the crafts, food and live entertainment. Farmers markets have become a regular community event where families gather and friends meet.

But there’s another option for fresh food connoisseurs in the form of the CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), which provide people a direct link to the production of their food. A CSA is a partnership between the consumer (member) and the farmer, with the member becoming a shareholder in the farm by making a financial investment up front, before the growing season, and in return receives a share of the harvest in the form of a weekly food basket.

Norwood-based Indian Ridge Farm’s Tony Daranyi describes a CSA this way: “Typically, members or ‘shareholders’ of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season – distributed in a weekly ‘basket of goods’ – as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.”

He goes on, “By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.”

CSAs are becoming increasingly popular and wide spread in Colorado, with new opportunities popping up each year. And while there aren’t many farms offering CSAs west of Dallas Divide (Indian Ridge Farm & Bakery being an exception), thanks to the warmer climes and longer growing seasons of nearby Montrose, Delta and Paonia, there are now many CSA options for residents of the San Miguel-Montrose-Ouray county region. But if you haven’t made your commitment yet, you’ll likely have to wait until next year to join a CSA because they fill up fast, often having pre-season waiting lists.

For some, joining a CSA will eliminate the need to visit the farmers market, but for others, the variety of choices and social aspects of the farmers market are a better fit. If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, the following is a (subjective) comparison of the two. (Keep in mind, one person’s “pro” may be another person’s “con” – hence the duplication.)

A list of regional CSAs and farmers markets may also help you make your decision. For more useful information, visit localharvest.org and coloradofarmers.org.

CSA Pros:

Encourages trying new produce/recipes/flavors

Just-picked freshness

Connection to the grower and the land

Opportunity to work on the farm

Can sometimes request what is grown

Excess produce for free/minimal cost (great for fall canning)

Use abundance to stock up freezer/pantry for winter

Often have access to other products (meats, cheese, eggs, baked goods)

Sense of community/ownership

Benefit to farm by “investing” in its success

Element of surprise each week

Cost (pay once or in installments)

CSA Cons:

Can be strange selection

Can’t pick and choose according to personal likes/dislikes

Can be odd amounts/unpredictable quantities

Excess veggies may go to waste

Requires long-term commitment

Shared risk (unpredictable circumstances can affect the season’s harvest)

Pickup schedule can be limiting

Requirement to work on the farm (not always applicable)

Element of surprise each week

Cost (requires bulk payment(s) upfront)

Farmers Market Pros:

Feast of senses

Discover new foods

Social aspects

Variety beyond produce (meats, cheeses, preserves, crafts, etc.)

Can support many local producers in one place

Shop for what looks best, your specific needs/desires

Entertainment

Farmers Market Cons:

Set schedule

Social aspects

Crowds/lines

Can be expensive

Hours may not work with your schedule

Weather

REGIONAL CSAs: Abundant Life Organic Farms, Hotchkiss
970/985-8842

Borden Farms, Delta

970/874-5383

Buckhorn Gardens, Colona

970/240-8715

Cameron Place, Palisade
970/985-5585

Circle A Garden, Montrose

970/249-9725

Dragonfly Farm, Dolores
970/565-2644

Ela Family Farms, Hotchkiss

970/872-3488

Fire Mountain Farm & Apiary, Paonia

970/527-4499

Fresh & Wyld Farmhouse Inn & Gardens, Paonia

970/527-4389

High Desert CSA, Dolores
970/882-2116

Indian Ridge Farm & Bakery, Norwood
970/327-0336

Round Earth Farm/Turkey Hill CSA, Hotchkiss

970/872-4413

Rude Becky's Flower Farm, Dolores

Thistle Whistle Farm, Hotchkiss

970/872-4959

White Buffalo Farm, Paonia
970/527-3041

Zephyros Farm and Garden, Paonia

970/527-3636

REGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS:

Cortez
109 West Main Street
Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-sellout,
June-October
970/565-3123

Delta
4th & Main Street
Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m., July-September
970/874-8616, www.deltacolorado.org

Dolores
420 Central Avenue 
Wednesdays,
4-7 p.m., June-October
970/882-7720

Mancos
300 N. Willow Street
Thursdays, 3-6 p.m., June-October
800/831-5697, www.mancoscolorado.com/farmmarket.htm"

Montrose
Oxbow Shopping Center (new location)

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May-October
Main St. & N. Uncompahgre (downtown)
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., June-October

970/209-8463, www.montrosefarmersmarket.com


Norwood
1120 Summit St.

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June-October
970/327-4393,www.coopext.colostate.edu


Ridgway
Ouray County Fairgrounds
Sundays, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m., June-September
970/318-0128, dbutts@starband.net

Telluride
South Oak Street

Fridays, 12-4 p.m., June-October
970/728-8701, www.telluridefarmersmarket.com