I grew up on our family farm on Howe Island, but when I was a kid I didn’t think I’d want to be a farmer.
Like many people, I left home during my late teens and early twenties. I traveled and went to university for environmental science. However, I was frustrated with mainstream attitudes about social and environmental issues.
I knew I had to find a way to make a living and I didn’t see many career opportunities that would allow me to make an immediate positive difference.
And then I heard about the Community Shared Agriculture model of farming. I realized that I was in a unique position, having grown up on an organic farm.
I decided to start exploring the ways that growing vegetables organically could have positive impact in my community and for the Earth.
In 2002, I started working on an organic CSA farm near Guelph. Over the following 5 years I learned everything I could. I joined that CSA as a member for a couple of years and learned to cook and eat the CSA way. At the same time, I started a small garden and I taught myself to preserve food. I got involved with community gardening as well and volunteered on several organic vegetable farms. By 2007, I had returned to Kingston area and to the family farm and I was ready! I launched Root Radical CSA.
I’ve always loved eating vegetables. When I was a kid, green beans were my favourite; I remember asking Mom if we could have broccoli for dinner more often. Eating the CSA way has been a natural fit for me.
However, like anyone who to wants eat better, I have had to learn how to incorporate more vegetables into my meals and how to cook with unfamiliar foods.
I understand that learning is an important part of the journey for new CSA members. Aside from great-tasting vegetables, one of the nice things about joining our CSA is that I’ll support you in that journey.
![](https://i0.wp.com/rootradical.ca/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/harvest-celebration-2016-resized.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1)
2016 Harvest Celebration photo by Asad Chishti
The CSA is motivating and energizing for everyone involved because the vegetables taste great and because it’s a community effort.
No one likes to feel they are alone. I love that I get to see first-hand that the work I do matters in the lives of our CSA members. Likewise, our CSA members know that their support makes a big difference in my life.