The Luscher Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project began in the spring of 2004. CSA, also called membership or subscription farming, provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the relationship between farmers and consumers. Local residents pay in advance for their share of the season's bountiful harvest. Then, they come to the farm throughout the growing season to pick up their shares of locally, seasonally and sustainably grown produce.
The Lake Oswego Department of Parks and Recreation is working with the 47th Avenue Farm to offer CSA memberships at Luscher Farm. Laura Masterson, owner of the 47th Avenue
Farm, has been growing local seasonal produce for CSA members for over 10 years. She now manages over 12 acres of urban farmland in the Metro area, including Luscher Farm. All of these farm properties are managed sustainably using certified organic fertilizers, cover crops between vegetable rotations, beneficial insects, drip irrigation, and conservation tillage techniques. This holistic farming system improves the tilth and fertility of the farmland. It also protects the woods and wetlands that surround the farms.
How it Works
Community Supported Agriculture is based on a cooperative agreement between the farm and its members. The farm sells a fixed number of shares before the season begins, grows the produce, and members take home lots of fresh, local food. Planning for the each season starts months in advance, and your membership allows us to cover some of those early costs. When the harvest begins, we divide the produce by the number of members, and you come to pick up your share in the historic Luscher Farm barn.
The boxes of vegetables and herbs are set out on a table, and a list tells you how much food to take. You also receive a newsletter that keeps you up to date on what is happening at the farm, describes what is in your share, and includes a recipe too. In addition to great produce, the CSA offers members a chance to really get to know their farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and gardening. We are always available at pickup to answer questions, offer cooking advice, or just to socialize. It is very rewarding for us to get to know you better too.
The Harvest
Our goal is to bring you bountiful and varied harvests throughout the season; and to that end, we grow almost all the vegetables that it is possible to grow here in our region. The produce in your share varies according to the season, but each week you receive 8-10 different vegetable selections. In your share, you usually find staple items like salad greens, cooking greens, and root vegetables. Members of the broccoli family, including cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts, are available during most of the year. Onions are also considered a staple crop, though at certain times they may be replaced (or enhanced) by leeks, garlic, shallots, or scallions. For much of the year we have some type of legume available including fava beans, sugar snap peas, edamame and string beans. Different varieties of potatoes (last year we grew 14 kinds) are also available for much of the season. Other vegetables are included in the share as they become available. In the early summer share, treats such as garlic scapes and pea shoots can be found. Summer time brings sweet corn and colorful heirloom tomatoes. In the fall and winter, we look forward to heartier fare enhanced by delicata, butternut and kabocha winter squash.
Go to the Full List to see all of the crops we grow on the farm.
Here in the Willamette Valley, our mild maritime climate allows us to grow vegetables throughout the year. The summer and winter harvest seasons are two different “classes” and you’ll need to sign up for them separately. Registration for each season starts several months before the actual harvest begins.
Summer harvests start in mid May and continue through the end of October. Members pick up shares every week for 24 weeks, on Thursdays, 5/20 - 10/28, from 5-7 pm at Luscher Farm.
Winter harvests start in
the beginning of November and continue through mid- April. Members come to Luscher Farm twice a month on Thursdays from 5-7 pm to pick up their vegetables.
To register for the upcoming Luscher Farm Summer CSA click HERE.
Whole Share $940.00
Every household is different, but in our experience, the whole share provides most of the vegetables needed to feed a family of four for two weeks.
Half Share $525.00
This share is for smaller households.
Come Visit Us!
The Luscher Farm property is located at 125 Rosemont Rd, just east of Stafford Rd. In addition to the CSA, this historic property includes Community Garden plots, a Children’s Garden, Backyard Wildlife Habitat Gardens, the Oregon Tilth Research and Education Center, woods, wetlands, an original Queen Anne style farmhouse and gambrel-roof barn, and the Farm is now the home of the Rogerson Clematis Collection. For more information click here.
To learn more about the 47th Avenue Farm, visit www.47thAveFarm.com Contact Laura Masterson at 503-777-4213 or e-mail csa@47thavefarm.com.
To learn more about CSAs in general, visit:
Portland Area CSA Coalition: www.portlandcsa.org.
If you are interested in learning more about the Luscher Farm CSA, please contact
the Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department at 503-675-2549. |
