Local couple supplies organic veggies

Carlton Farms in Unionville, through its Community Support Agriculture Program, can provide locals with a 24-week supply of garden fresh vegetables. Ed Carlton works his farm year round to produce organic and natural vegetables that he says can't be found in grocery stores. (Submitted photo)

Ed and Cindy Carlton believe this generation has lost its connection to the land our grandparents once held so tightly by growing the majority of their own food.

Carlton Farms' Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program is Bedford County's source for naturally grown fruits and vegetables. Each week, from May to October, members of the program receive a full half-bushel box of freshly-picked veggies.

"They [our grandparents] prepared a garden spot, planted the seeds, and lovingly nurtured the plants," according to the Carltons. "When dinner time rolled around, all they had to do was walk out the door and gather the freshest veggies they could find. In the winter, row upon row of painstakingly-prepared jars of fruits and vegetables lined the pantry shelf."

Losing this connection to the land, our fast-paced, super-sized society, they say, now relies too much on restaurants and grocery stores that get their supply from giant farms that "have resorted to synthetically produced chemicals to maintain their crops."

Carlton Farms is making it easy for busy families to reap in all the benefits of eating garden fresh foods, without all the time and effort that goes into maintaining a garden.

The small family farm near Unionville has its CSA program set up so members pay a one-time fee of $700 or $400 and, in turn, receive a half-bushel box of organic, fresh produce once or twice a week for 24 weeks. For $700, members receive a box once a week from May to October and for $400 they receive a box every other week.

Boxes may be picked up at the farm, 320 Maxwell Chapel Road, on Tuesday night or Saturday morning. The farm also has a pick-up for Murfressboro residents on Saturday.

"We grow a variety of seasonal vegetables using natural methods ... What we have depends on the season and the moods of the weather. You can expect to find a variety of greens in the early boxes along with some of the cooler weather crops such as broccoli, red and green leaf lettuce, kale, collards, onions and others," the Carltons say.

Summer boxes will include tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, okra, beans, peppers and more. Since the weather in this area is warmer, the Carltons can produce summer vegetables until the first frost.

For more information, contact Ed or Cindy Carlton at (615) 556-7913 or e-mail carltonfarmscsa@yahoo.com.