York Town News
Get your fill of good greens from a local organic farm
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Local residents now have chance to get a share in York-grown organic produce, without the work of starting their own gardens. Pictured here is one of last year's gardens at Andy's Greens, a certified organic farm based in York Harbor.
Courtesy photo
YORK HARBOR - In Andy Gagnon's words, he's trying to "build community by getting people involved in the growing of fresh, local, organic food."
And that is something Gagnon has been doing in the fertile soil of an historic York Harbor homestead for a number of years.
Gagnon's local farm, "Andy's Greens," is certified by both the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association formed in 1971 and, according to its website, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country.
MOFGA's mission is to "help farmers and gardeners grow organic food, protect the environment, recycle natural resources, increase local food production, support rural communities and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound growing practices."
Gagnon recently announced that area residents may now buy shares in his organic produce through what may be York's first Community Supported Agriculture.
"Buying a share in a CSA means receiving a weekly container of fresh, locally grown, organic produce for 20 weeks, starting the first week of June," Gagnon explained, adding, "A share will consist of a wide variety of seasonal produce including tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, onions, carrots, peas, squash, arugula and much more."
He said shares will be available for pick-up at Andy's Greens in York Harbor or at the Portsmouth Farmers' Market.
Gagnon's farm is located an eighth of an acre of leased land that is a portion of the Old Raynes Homestead in York Harbor, as well as on land leased from Westside Farm on Blackberry Hill in Berwick
"This will be my third season selling commercially," Gagnon explained.
And for those who are just longing for fresh produce as winter's hold continues over southern Maine, h noted that each share includes between five and nine varieties of produce, which will amount to between three and four pounds of food in the early spring and as much as 15 pounds later in the season.
In addition to the greens and vegetables, fresh herbs and cut flowers are also available as part of a share.
Shares may be split between neighbors and friends and, he noted, the vegetables, greens, herbs and flowers will always be picked less than 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up, and are frequently harvested only a few hours before they are delivered to the shareholders.
Gagnon's website details a wealth of additional information about the growing season at the Old Raynes Homestead as well as the produce grown by Andy's Greens - and even has room for suggestions for custom-mixed salads of baby lettuce and other greens.
Want to get a share in the farm or learn more about locally-grown organic produce? Visit www.andysgreens.com or call 475-6945.
