Northern Michigan Community Supported Agriculture
Hello friends! With it officially being spring I thought it would be the perfect time to share with you local Community Supported Agriculture here in Northern Michigan, as well as local farm markets and fresh livestock farms.
Community Supported Agriculture, also known as CSA’s for short, are increasingly popular among the growing number of individuals that are interested in healthy organic produce. More and more people are interested in knowing who is growing their produce and how it is being grown. Community Supported Agriculture is a weekly subscription program to all natural and sometimes organic vegetables. Each CSA is run a little differently but you can always be assured you will have a unique variety of in season produce available to you and your family.
Depending on the program, you can pick up your produce once a week at the farm or some CSA’s even deliver to local, more convenient drop off locations. Each CSA is run differently though, so make sure you read through all the details of each program that I have listed.
Are you interested in fresh farm fresh eggs, chickens, beef or pork? Most Community Supported Agriculture programs are starting to offer this in addition to produce, so make sure you ask.
Here in Northern Michigan we currently have several Community Supported Agriculture programs to choose from –
Providence Organic Farm – Location: Central Lake. This all organic 20 acre farm has been in business for several years making it a family run endeavor. Providence Farm’s CSA program runs 22 weeks and they have several different plans to choose from that will best suit your needs. Not sure on what plan to go with? It’s always best to start small as you can always upgrade!
Providence Organic Farm offers also offers multiple drop off locations here in Northern Michigan as well as pick up right at the farm in Central Lake.
Providence Farm Drop Off locations –
- Petoskey – Grain Train
- East Jordan – Martha Wagbo Peace and Education Center
- Elk Rapids – Elk Rapids Farm Market
- Gaylord – Cook Family Farm
- Charlevoix – Charlevoix Farm Market
- Traverse City – Sara Hardy Farm Market
Providence Organic Farm keeps in touch with it’s customers via email letting you know what to expect each week in your share. I love that you can change out a few items if needed prior to drop off just by letting them know 48 hours in advance. Ready sign up? Head over here to fill out their CSA application. For more information on Providence Organic Farm, visit their site here.
Coveyou Scenic Farm – Location: 2 miles south of Petoskey on US-31. Coveyou Scenic Farm is a Michigan Centennial Farm, owned by the Coveyou family for over 136 years. This farm offers a USDA Certified Organic Community Supported Agriculture program as well as an Open Market Program. The newer Open Market Program allows members to shop the Coveyou Farm Market as often as they wish and choose as much fresh produce as they can eat. This membership is honor system based and an interesting twist to the CSA program. Produce can be picked up at Coveyou Farms.
Coveyou also runs a farm market open daily spring through fall and you can shop there at any time.
Bluestem Farm – Location: 7 miles east of East Jordan on M-32. Bluestem Farm has been around since 2012 offering a unique ‘build your own Community Supported Agriculture USDA Certified Organic program. Bluestem offers farm fresh eggs, chickens and pork in their CSA program. You can pick up your fresh produce, meat and eggs directly from Bluestem Farm or choose from one of their convenient drop-off locations:
- Petoskey – Grain Train
- Boyne City Farmers Market
- Bellaire – Cottage Floral
- Gaylord – Jojo’s Natural Market
Do you love the idea of Community Supported Agriculture but don’t want to commit to an entire summer of fresh organic produce? A local home delivery service might be a good option to choose from:
Local Eats Home Delivery Service – Location: Pellston. This unique home delivery service is run by Dave and Ann Marie Tingleff. Dave and Ann Marie both grew up in the city but eventually moved north for their love of rural living. I met Ann Marie at a local playgroup several years ago. She loved the idea of local farmers markets but due to busy schedules and distance it was often hard to get to them on a weekly basis. Thus, Local Eats was born.
Ann Marie and Dave strive to bring their customers fresh produce for a fair price each week and have become friends with almost every farmer here in Northern Michigan on their journey. Each week you can expect an email letting you know of the weeks ‘offerings’ and then a basket of beautiful fresh in season produce without having to run to the farmers market. It’s convenient & delicious! For more information on Local Eats or to sign up for their home delivery service go here for more info.
Living in gorgeous Northern Michigan we also have multiple farmers markets across the region to choose from during the summer months. Some even remain open year a round and move to a different in door location to offer it’s customers fresh produce and farm goods. I love nothing more than taking an afternoon and strolling the local farmers market. It’s fun and the kids love it!
Here is a list of local markets here in Northern Michigan:
Petoskey Farmers Market – Location: Howard Street, downtown Petoskey. Day & Hours: Fridays 8am – 1pm late spring through fall. During the in climate winter months the farmers market moves to North Central Michigan College gymnasium.
Harbor Spring Farmers Market – Location: Main street, downtown Harbor Springs. Day & Hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays 9am – 1pm, June through August.
Charlevoix Farmers Market – Location: Charlevoix East Park. Day & Hours: Thursdays 9am – 1pm during the summer months.
Boyne City Farmers Market – Location: Downtown Boyne City. Day & Hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays 8am – 12pm, May through October. November through April, the market moves into the Red Barn next to the Boyne City Public Library and is open Saturday 9am – 1pm.
Gaylord Farmers Market – Location: Downtown Gaylord under the pavilion. Day & Hours: Wednesday & Saturdays July – October 8am – 2pm. Hours during May, June and November: 9am – 1 pm.
Cheboygan Farmers Market – Location: Downtown Cheboygan. Day & Hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays June through October.
Indian River Farmers Market – Location: Downtown Indian River in the Citizens National Bank parking lot. Day & Hours: Wednesdays 2pm – 6pm and Saturdays 9am – 1pm.
Bill’s Farm Market – Location: 2 miles east of downtown Petoskey on E. Mitchell. Hours: June 5th – November, open Monday-Friday, 9am – 6pm and Saturday 9am – 5pm.
Bill’s is one of my favorites. I’m slightly partial though because we live right down the road and it’s super convenient. Fresh produce during the summer months. Pumpkins, corn stalks and hayrides during the fall and come Christmas, they also sell fresh cut Christmas trees and wreaths.
Pond Hill Farm – Location: 5 miles north of Harbor Springs on M-119. Hours: Open year round with varying hours. Go here to check the current schedule.
Pond Hill Farm offers fresh produce, hayrides, winery for the adults and even a cafe with fresh farm to table entrees served year around. This farm seems most popular in the fall when pumpkins are in season and hayride are given daily. Looking for a fun afternoon? Bring the kids out to watch the pig races and shoot the squash rocket.
Friske Orchards – Location: Ellsworth, open year around. Primary crops include: apples, sweet and tart cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, plums, strawberries,raspberries, rhubarb, and asparagus.
Cook Family Farm – Location: Gaylord. This family run operation mainly sells gmo-free farm fresh eggs as well as all-natural meat products. You can order directly from them on their website or you can find them at the Gaylord and Boyne City Farmers Market year around.
Shetler Family Dairy – Location: Kalkaska. Shetler Family Dairy specializes in just that, all natural GMO-free dairy products which can be found at various all natural food stores here in Northern Michigan. Their farm store also offers eggs, pork and beef.
Almost all of the farm markets I mentioned in this post are often found at the larger local farmers markets so if you don’t have time to stop in you can always meet them at the farmers market and find a wide variety of produce available.
Are you a member of a local CSA program or do you love shopping the local farmers markets? If so, which is your favorite? We would love to hear your thoughts!
*If you notice any farmers markets that we have missed, please leave us a note in the comment section.
