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From Ploughshare to consumer
Published 02:36 p.m., July 24, 2009
By Tom Hintgen
Daily Journal
When visiting Ploughshare Farm, southwest of Parkers Prairie, a person quickly learns what Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is all about.
People such as consumers in Fergus Falls and other area towns pre-purchase shares of the farm's harvest in the spring, when expenses are highest for the farmer. In exchange, CSA members receive a weekly box of freshly picked organic produce as it becomes available throughout the growing season.
Produce is carefully boxed and delivered weekly to drop-off areas in towns such as Fergus Falls. Each consumer picks up a new box of fresh produce and drops off the empty box that was picked up the week before.
Each week's delivery yields its own unique harvest. People can plan on plenty of their favorite staple veggies, plus a healthy portion of the exotic and novel. Quantity and variety progress with the season.
“This mutually beneficial partnership helps ensure a more secure market for small farms struggling to compete with larger, less sustainable farms, as well as ensuring members have consistent access to healthier, safer and tastier food,” said Gary Brever who, with his wife Jennifer, has operated Ploughshare Farm since 2002. “Produce is harvested on or before the day a person receives it.”
The box this past week, delivered for consumer pickup on Thursday, contained two pounds of potatoes (Red Norlund), Swiss Chard (summer green), basil (herb), summer squash, cucumbers, head of lettuce, cabbage, green beans, carrots and dill.
“We carefully select our produce varieties for excellent taste and quality,” said Jennifer Brever. “Our produce is grown without pesticides in fertile soil, resulting in highly nutritious food.”
Gary is a native of Alexandria who later graduated from Fergus Falls High School. Jennifer grew up in the state of Washington.
Some of the interns receive college credit for working this summer at Ploughshare Farm.
Emily Krogh, summer intern who attends the College of St. Benedict near St. Cloud, said she enjoys the variety of jobs at Ploughshare Farm. Her grandparents, Lee and Margaret Krogh, reside in Fergus Falls.
The name “Ploughshare” is derived from the Bible quote Isaiah 2: “They shall pound their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks.” The Brevers say the Bible quote connects their work for justice with their passion for growing food and being good stewards of the land.
“We farm sustainably in Leaf Valley, southwest of Parkers Prairie,” said Gary. “People can still sign up to receive produce this summer.”
The Web site is www.ploughsharefarm.com
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